Hummingbirds are so amazing!
In May 2021 some species of songbirds began to be afflicted with a deadly disease of some kind. This started in Virginia and moved west. Indiana birds began to die in late May and by early June the Indiana Department of Natural Resources put out the warning to stop all bird feeding in private yards. We posted about that. We both really missed our almost daily birdwatching time our back.
By the first week in August the DNR published the news that 76 out of Indiana’s 92 counties were bird disease free, and could resume the use of bird feeders.
Our cute little Nuthatch is back
We soon refilled our two seed feeders, and also refilled our hummingbird feeder. (DNR also had said to stop using hummingbird feeders as well.) It has been a couple of weeks since we started feeding our avian friends again, and slowly lots of the birds are coming back to our yard. We haven’t seen all of the species we had seen before the “lockdown”, but perhaps that is to be expected. We are grateful that we can again enjoy birding from our backyard swing!
That’s nice! I wonder where these diseases come from?
LikeLiked by 1 person
All I’ve read is that it started in Virginia. It seemed to be a neurological thing that affected the birds eyes at the start, and proved fatal. I still have not read about a definite cause.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s really sad. 😩
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a little apprehensive about using our hummingbird and bird feeder. Our quail get so fat and the woodpecker sucks all the nectar down in two days. Then our back yard becomes a feeding ground for coyotes and hawks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow. That is an interesting set of challenges! Have no use for coyotes at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel like I’m providing food for the predators when I feed the birds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy birds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, and happy bird watchers now, too! Thanks, Tim.
LikeLike
Oh wow-I’m so glad you can hang the feeders again and that the birds are healthy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we’re glad we can fill the feeders again, but mostly glad that at least in most of the counties the disease is in check.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The picture of the cardinal is beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Cardinals are very striking when you see them, and what a beautiful song they have! Glad to see you, hope all is well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re most welcome. We’re battling a flu bug this past week but hanging in there.
LikeLike
I feel that I should transmit that piece of information to my cats. I’m sorry, allegiances are for life and I know that I’d squeak very loudly if they’d pressure me for details. But alas, I no longer have cats, which is regrettable of course, but extreme good news to your birds. Happy NatGeo/Audubon shots. All the best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bet you are happy to have them coming back. We love watching our feeders.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is so much fun to see the birds back. Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Have a great week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hummingbirds show up here and they ❤ my red flowers.
LikeLike
They are so cool! Fun to watch, and to listen to when it’s quiet.
LikeLike
It is good to see that nature can recover
LikeLike
So true, Derrick! Have you not seen your robin friend this season?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m afraid Nugget didn’t make it through the winter. He left several progeny behind, but they are not as fearless. Thanks very much, Maj.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The “Where’s Nugget” challenges were quite enjoyable, and are missed. Thanks, Derrick.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Birdies are being affected from whatever is happening in our atmosphere.☹️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sure cannot disagree. “They” still have not stated the cause of the affliction affecting the birds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many of us are keeping watch of the Frankenstein labs.
LikeLike
Pingback: Our backyard bird feeders are back in service – MobsterTiger
Thank you! 😉
LikeLike
So happy for y’all! I’m down south, but I had been keeping an eye out in case they started telling us to remove ours, too. I know I’d certainly miss our birds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re so glad they are back, and thrilled that the range of whatever the disease is has not gone to your area. Hope your birds stay disease free!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear everything is under control, and the birds are back in your yard🙂
LikeLike
It is fun to see them again. Thanks, Christie for stopping by and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person