Send help - I'm being overrun!
 

Who can count all the ruffies that were chowing down on the clover and dandelions in my yard a bit ago?

I count 9 :shock:

That's a nice brood!

Grouse season starts September 4th here. I can only hope we have as good of a season as what it looks like you are having.

Nine is what I think can be seen in this pic. There were 11 at one point. A new all time record for my yard. I planted the clover thick just to attract grouse and it seems they got the memo... They'll be back regularly now. I just finished pulling all the fireweed so they'll be easier to see next time.

Richard, you have the life…

Ain't that the truth Mike? I knew they'd be back. Here's all 11 in my freshly "mowed" yard a few minutes ago. This is as mowed as it gets here.

I have a different view in my yard right now. Well it's my yard whenever I get to the Florida panhandle

Hmmm, my buddies haven't been back to feed... I think they maybe saw Mikes beach post and headed south...

Richard, their distant cousins showed up here in Maine

Richard I would be happy to come to your place and help with any eradication plans you would need me for. I'll be at Jim's soon to help him keep those problems by the barn from getting anymore out of hand.

Red Hawk
 

Red Hawk nest 150 feet from my house in April 2015 and youngster today. They are not leery of humans. Also have a huge Great Horned Owl and Blue Heron that stay close. Snakes are almost never seen and these predators probably help keep them in check. Downside is quail and bunnies are nonexistent. Have not seen turkey pullets in a couple of years. Coyotes and fire ants could be keeping the bunny and bird population down. Bob

No chance Mike! I chase them mercilessly in the forest but in my yard they are vigorously protected family that supply the bulk of my winter bird watching activities.

Overrun
 

I'm with you Richard. I might even consider camping out to help protect a covey of quail on my property if they ever come back. The only reason I take an occasional deer close to the house is the numbers are increasing to the point that my harvest does almost nothing to thin the herd. They are small here and so numerous that even my dog has given up chasing them unless I'm with him. It's kinda like "see boss, I'm shaking the bush". He does the same thing with squirrels when I'm with him. Hope your buddies come back. Bob

We had a nice visit at the house yesterday. I hadn't seen any of the sharptails that spent time in the yard last winter since soon after they finished up their mating dancing in the spring. Yesterday a family of 9 young and an adult wandered through the yard. Had a chuckle at one young one. He stopped and did a short stint of a mating dance in the front yard. Good to see they made it, and yes, the safest place for them around here is in my yard.

Hen+8
 

It seems a little late in August to be seeing this but nevertheless:

Attachment 43277

I hope they all (8) make it!

Sorry Richard, I didn't mean to imply I would come and kill your yard birds. I meant birds in general. However, it wasn't that long ago that a hawk seen was a hawk shot by many a bird hunter.

Yard Birds
 

I agree Mike. It was tough to get within a quarter mile of a hawk years ago. I enjoy seeing them close up frequently now. The ones nesting near my house do not appear threatened and show no concern when people are nearby. I was privileged to see a Bald Eagle get a squirrel in my yard about 2 years ago. Did not have an iPhone for photo at that time:crying:. Bob

Richard, took my wife, Sylvia, for a ride on a new double 4 wheeler the other afternoon. Just as we crossed a bridge into another field, 6 grouse went up. All one family, I think. Probably eating grass hoppers. The most grouse I have seen on the farm in years.