Other pets (pics and discussions)

[RedSidedSPR]

Lol, my grandparents too. Was at their house and that happened earlier this year. 'twas rather awesome

[ConcinusMan]

That damn kestrel is out there every day doing this. Most of the time, it's just attempts but every now and then, they'll snatch a bird up right in front of me. They come out of nowhere and are gone in a flash.

[Steveo]

They mostly feed on insects and rodents. Sparrows and starlings are harder to catch, but given the opportunity (such as a bird feeder), they'll gladly grab one. I bet the kestrel also keeps the squirrels away.

[ConcinusMan]

Well, yes, in the summer they don't rely on small birds as much and I see them hovering near the freeways hunting voles and mice. In this miserable cold, wet weather, they go for small birds mainly. The thing is, I mostly have native birds at my feeders due to their design and the feed I use. Starlings and european sparrows don't really bother my feeders. The squirrels still come around, but they only eat spilled seed off the ground. The feeders have cages on them that slide down and block the holes if squirrels try to get on them. It's a squirrel baffel that actually works so they don't even try to get in the feeders anymore. I have several squirrel feeders around just for them, that birds can't get into. That also helps.

This is the type of feeder that works great when you have squirrels. The entire cage slides down and blocks the ports if a large heavy bird or squirrel gets on it. The domes and other types of baffels don't work worth squat. I only use black sunflower seed and niger seed (sterilized thistle seed). This discourages the non-native birds and reduces waste since most birds ignore the other types of seeds in cheap bird feed and it just gets wasted. Also, the other types of seeds attract the non-native species. They don't seem to be able to crack black sunflower seeds. Two feeders have normal ports, and one has tiny holes so only one or two niger seeds can come out at a time. It's covered in goldfinches all summer.

[Steveo]

I see how that can be a problem.

I'm not sure about the regulations in WA, but there should be a legal way to trap and relocate the kestrel(s). There's no guarantee that they won't return, but if you move them far enough they should be able to find another easy food source.

[guidofatherof5]

Here is Tank and my youngest. Tank woke up this morning and wanted his breakfast.
He is very near 18 lbs.

[RedSidedSPR]

Despite always replying to every Tank post, I never can seem to fight the urge to like it as well

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Ha nice

[guidofatherof5]

Despite always replying to every Tank post, I never can seem to fight the urge to like it as well

Thanks Jesse.
Tank is a people magnet. When I give talks on garter snakes I save him as a surprise at the end. If I showed him at first no one would want to hear about the garters. He becomes the center of attention and I think he enjoys it.
He is a very special member of our family.

[RedSidedSPR]

and I think he enjoys it.

Wouldn't surprise me

He really is awesome. And as Spock would say, fascinating.