Wildlife...

AVGWarhawk · 07-10-13, 12:36 PM

My wife and I purchased a new home February this year. It backs to the wood and there is a large pond about 100 yards off our property. We have had several encounters with wildlife. Thus far:

1. Two deer that feed at our bird feeders nightly
2. A groundhog that surprised the heck out of my wife after he was caught sneaking up on her. They locked eyes in surprise and both ran off in opposite directions.
3. A gray fox that runs the same trail behind our house everyday.
4. Birds abound at feeders. Gold Finch, Slate Colored Junco, Blue Jay, Nut Hatch, Hummingbirds, Northern Oriole, various woodpeckers, etc.
5. Toads and frogs galore from the pond out back.
6. Snapping turtles from the same pond.

Today this hawk landed on our newly installed deck. We are living in a zoo!

BrucePartington · 07-10-13, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

My wife and I purchased a new home February this year. It backs to the wood and there is a large pond about 100 yards off our property. We have had several encounters with wildlife. Thus far:

1. Two deer that feed at our bird feeders nightly
2. A groundhog that surprised the heck out of my wife after he was caught sneaking up on her. They locked eyes in surprise and both ran off in opposite directions.
3. A gray fox that runs the same trail behind our house everyday.
4. Birds abound at feeders. Gold Finch, Slate Colored Junco, Blue Jay, Nut Hatch, Hummingbirds, Northern Oriole, various woodpeckers, etc.
5. Toads and frogs galore from the pond out back.
6. Snapping turtles from the same pond.

Today this hawk landed on our newly installed deck. We are living in a zoo!

I so envy you.
I only spot the occasional hedgehog, sometimes a hare. It's a semi-rural area, in the "old world", where wildlife has been massively hunted for centuries.

Schroeder · 07-10-13, 01:23 PM

You forgot to mention the gazillion mosquitoes from the pond.

AVGWarhawk · 07-10-13, 01:43 PM

By and large the mosquitoes are fewer at this house than our old home. That home was on a creek that fed the Chesapeake Bay. I suspect the 1000's of frogs in the pond eat a lot of mosquito larvae. When the frogs start making their calls for a female, usually starting about 6pm, we can hardly hear ourselves think. When a mosquito does show up, my wife is their first target.

Best mosquito repellent for me is my wife.

AVGWarhawk · 07-10-13, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrucePartington

I so envy you.
I only spot the occasional hedgehog, sometimes a hare. It's a semi-rural area, in the "old world", where wildlife has been massively hunted for centuries.

Speaking of hares...I forgot to add a baby bunny hopped through the yard two weeks ago. Acted like he owned it.

nikimcbee · 07-10-13, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Speaking of hares...I forgot to add a baby bunny hopped through the yard two weeks ago. Acted like he owned it.

That explains the hawks.

AVGWarhawk · 07-10-13, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

That explains the hawks.

Actually, just below him is a new small pond with waterfall that I created this past weekend. It has a large ceramic frog sprouting water(from a pump in the lower pond) into the top pond portion and the water falls to the lower pond. Looks like a natural watering hole with fish as far as he is concerned. Sadly, no fish! He will be waiting a long time!

However, I have a 8 pound poodle. Just ripe for picking I'm sure he is thinking!

Herr-Berbunch · 07-10-13, 02:20 PM

Isn't nature wonderful, all I see are raptors overhead and the neighbour's cats going on my lawn - unfortunately they cats are never the prey! Don't even get as many foxes or hedgehogs as we did in town!

We also have fallow, muntjac, and roe deer but I've only ever seen muntjac, and only once.

AVGWarhawk · 07-10-13, 02:39 PM

Nature is wonderful to a point. Squirrels can be and are a pain in the butt. Constantly getting after our bird feeders. I'm purchasing a few squirrel proof feeders. The deer love to eat a few of my plants. Hostas are like a salad to them. I planted about 6 hostas. Next day nothing but root left. Sometimes they eat my O'day Lillies. Often they raid our feeders. We cohabitate just fine but some of these buggers are costing me $$$$$.

07-10-13, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Nature is wonderful to a point. Squirrels can be and are a pain in the butt. Constantly getting after our bird feeders. I'm purchasing a few squirrel proof feeders. The deer love to eat a few of my plants. Hostas are like a salad to them. I planted about 6 hostas. Next day nothing but root left. Sometimes they eat my O'day Lillies. Often they raid our feeders. We cohabitate just fine but some of these buggers are costing me $$$$$.

Remember, squirrels and deer are tasty, just consider your cost $$$$$ as a small outlay on fattening up the dinner

Jimbuna · 07-10-13, 03:21 PM

Your very lucky Chris, all we get other than birds is the odd fox or hedgehog.

I remember being fascinated at the sight of squirrels in Neals back garden during the 2008 SubSim Meet.

AVGWarhawk · 07-10-13, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribesman

Remember, squirrels and deer are tasty, just consider your cost $$$$$ as a small outlay on fattening up the dinner

Seems logical, however, I'm not much for shooting a critter. Once I purchased a 30/30 with scope to deer hunt. I fired the gun only to zero in the scope. Then I sold it the gun. I just did not see myself killing a deer. I have had deer meat though. Sometimes it is grassy tasting. Overall, not bad. Never had squirrel.

AVGWarhawk · 07-10-13, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Your very lucky Chris, all we get other than birds is the odd fox or hedgehog.

I remember being fascinated at the sight of squirrels in Neals back garden during the 2008 SubSim Meet.

The squirrels are fascinating right up to the point were they chew through car wiring and outside light wiring. Destroy plant pots when they knock them over . Empty the feeders by shaking the poles. Just generally being a nuisance.

I'll send you some Royal Post!

Red October1984 · 07-10-13, 05:00 PM

Glad that somebody else can enjoy this!

We used to drop scraps of food right behind our house and watch the foxes come up and take it at night.

I have deer walk through my yard every day...turkeys too. There are more squirrels than you can count and plenty of woods.

I wouldn't trade it for anything.

07-10-13, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Destroy plant pots when they knock them over .

I'm sorry but a quick scan of the whole post I saw.........
Destroy pot plants

Man! My eyes snapped back to that REAL quick!

07-10-13, 12:36 PM	#1
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Wildlife... My wife and I purchased a new home February this year. It backs to the wood and there is a large pond about 100 yards off our property. We have had several encounters with wildlife. Thus far: 1. Two deer that feed at our bird feeders nightly 2. A groundhog that surprised the heck out of my wife after he was caught sneaking up on her. They locked eyes in surprise and both ran off in opposite directions. 3. A gray fox that runs the same trail behind our house everyday. 4. Birds abound at feeders. Gold Finch, Slate Colored Junco, Blue Jay, Nut Hatch, Hummingbirds, Northern Oriole, various woodpeckers, etc. 5. Toads and frogs galore from the pond out back. 6. Snapping turtles from the same pond. Today this hawk landed on our newly installed deck. We are living in a zoo! __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

07-10-13, 01:23 PM	#3
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	You forgot to mention the gazillion mosquitoes from the pond. __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

07-10-13, 01:43 PM	#4
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	By and large the mosquitoes are fewer at this house than our old home. That home was on a creek that fed the Chesapeake Bay. I suspect the 1000's of frogs in the pond eat a lot of mosquito larvae. When the frogs start making their calls for a female, usually starting about 6pm, we can hardly hear ourselves think. When a mosquito does show up, my wife is their first target. Best mosquito repellent for me is my wife. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

07-10-13, 02:20 PM	#8
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Isn't nature wonderful, all I see are raptors overhead and the neighbour's cats going on my lawn - unfortunately they cats are never the prey! Don't even get as many foxes or hedgehogs as we did in town! We also have fallow, muntjac, and roe deer but I've only ever seen muntjac, and only once. __________________

07-10-13, 02:39 PM	#9
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Nature is wonderful to a point. Squirrels can be and are a pain in the butt. Constantly getting after our bird feeders. I'm purchasing a few squirrel proof feeders. The deer love to eat a few of my plants. Hostas are like a salad to them. I planted about 6 hostas. Next day nothing but root left. Sometimes they eat my O'day Lillies. Often they raid our feeders. We cohabitate just fine but some of these buggers are costing me $$$$$. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

07-10-13, 03:21 PM	#11
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Your very lucky Chris, all we get other than birds is the odd fox or hedgehog. I remember being fascinated at the sight of squirrels in Neals back garden during the 2008 SubSim Meet. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

07-10-13, 05:00 PM	#14
Red October1984 Airplane Nerd Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 6,243 Downloads: 115 Uploads: 0	Glad that somebody else can enjoy this! We used to drop scraps of food right behind our house and watch the foxes come up and take it at night. I have deer walk through my yard every day...turkeys too. There are more squirrels than you can count and plenty of woods. I wouldn't trade it for anything. __________________