Chipmunks Running Amok 'Round Here (and in New England) and Other Yard Varmints Like Squirrels and Wascally Wabbits

I read in yesterday's Chicago Tribune that New England has so many of the lil' Alvins that they have become a nuisance.  We have a bumper crop here in northeast Illinois this year again.  I always have lots of them.  I have the Front Porch Chippers as I call them, and the Deck Chippers.

They can be a pain.  Just try slipping any flower with bulbs or tubers by them.  There is also flower pot mining to see if there is anything edible.  Fortunately, I don't think they've discovered the tulips and jonquils.

And, when they're running or chasing, watch out.  I've several scars from Chipmunk encounters of the fast kind.  I've even had ones this year and in the past who approach me demanding food.

They are lucky I like them so much or we would have serious problems.

We also have  lots of squirrels, though I haven't seen much of them this last month for some reason.  My biggest problem with them has been attacks on the roof and the Battle of the Bird Seed.  Last year, three squirrels ganged up on me and wiped out my three bird seed feeders, especially the one with their favorite, sunflower seed.  Boy they love sunflower seed.

However, that day, I vowed payback and the next day went to Menard's and got one of those feeders where the squirrel's weight closes the portals.  So far that has worked, but I have seen some of the varmints staring up at the feeder, just thinking and thinking.

And, this year I all of a sudden have three wascally wabbits running around the yard a whole lot.

We're Being Over Run!! --RoadMonk

FOX HUNTING:  Fox Mulder was an FBI agent on which TV series?


"The X-Files"

Yard Wildlife

CHIPMUNKS

This morning, sitting out on the front porch enjoying my breakfast pizza, the "Frontyard" chipmunk scampered across the sidewalk. I've seen him (her?) several times the last several days. I call him the "Frontyard" chipmunk as he is the only one I've seen in the front. The others are "Backyard" chipmunks and I have several of them. I guess they are not as uppity as "Frontyard."

This is the first year I've seen a chipmunk in the front yard.


TOADS AND DOVES

While working up close and personal with the flowers and weeds, I occasionally get frightened when something close to my fingers suddenly hops away. Thanks, Mr. Toad. Now, if we could just get them to eat those lousy mosquitoes.

And then there are the doves which scare me even more when they suddenly bolt because I've come too close. And, they bolt into the air with that tell-tale sound from their wings. Now, that'll get the old heart racing.


AND A DUCK

Yesterday, while working on the west side of the house, I had an even bigger bird bolt, a female mallard duck. I don't know if she was just resting or hat eggs in a nest, but I won't be looking.

We have had a mallard nest in the yard before. I'm never sure how she gets the chicks to water as we are not near any here on the bluff.


RAVENOUS LITTLE BIRDS

Lately, whenever I put out birdseed, it only takes those hungry little birdies a few hours to go through it. Then, they have to wait a day until refill time.

Be Still My Beating Heart. --RoadDog


LIVING NEAR CHICAGO...If it's 10 degrees and sleeting/snowing, it's opening day at Wrigley Field.

Poor Little Bird

Yesterday, while sitting out on the front porch having my coffee and reading the newspaper, I was startled by a lot of fluttering and out of the corner of my eye saw two birds, apparently chasing each other, flying full speed toward the bay window.

Then, there was a thud and a plop. One bird flew away immediately, but the other evidently took the full force of the impact and was just lying there on its back on the concrete looking surprised and breathing heavily.

It was a robin, but evidently young as it still had its mottled feathers on its breast. I'm pretty sure it wasn't one of "our" four babies as they have been out of the nest quite awhile now and should have lost those feathers like that. At least I hope so.

I walked over and used a section of the paper to gently turn it over on its front, but it kept tipping part way over again. I finally got it somewhat situated on its front, but could tell I was scaring it, so went inside.

Every so often I would peek out the window to see how it was doing and to make sure no neighborhood cats were lurking about.

The first time I looked, the robin was standing up, but when it moved, one of its legs seemed paralyzed. The second time, it was standing up fully and the foot seemed better. However, it couldn't fly as it attempted to do so.

The last time I looked, it was still there and looking better. It hopped off the front porch and under a bush. Later, I went out and looked around the bushes and flowers, but didn't see it so, here's hoping it recovered.

We have birds fly into our windows quite often, unfortunately. But what can you do?

Here's Hoping. --RoadDog


DIDJA HEAR? When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I.

That Crazy Squirrel

I spent quite awhile yesterday morning watching a squirrel in my back yard. We are a newer subdivision and our part was just fields back 18 years ago, so the trees are just now getting big enough to attract those bushy-tailed rats that are so much fun to watch.

I mean, I could spend hours watching these critters and occasionally annoying them with noises or movement.

I was listening to Bob Stroud in the sun room as he did his "For the Love of Money" show because of taxes coming due and the state of the economy. I saw a piece of newspaper that had blown into the yard and had become lodged by a tree in the arboretum all of a sudden start jumping around. There not being much wind, I kept watching until I saw a small, gray, furry head pop out one side with a mouth bulging with newspaper.

It then scampered off to a neighbor's yard and climbed a tree. During the course of the next hour or so, the squirrel made at least ten trips, each time with bulging mouth. Must have been building a nest in that tree.

It would attack that paper with relish. On two different occasions, it moved the paper section toward the tree and I thought it would catch on to a labor and running-saving measure, but it didn't.

I filmed the proceedings for posterity.

It Sure Doesn't Take Much to Entertain Me. --RoadDog

The Hilarious Robin

This morning, I looked out the back window onto the deck and saw one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

Last summer, I used some twine to tie up some tall flowers and left the twine. One end had come loose and this robin was doing everything it could do get it.

At times it would take the end in its beak and take off, only to be jerked down at the end of the twine. Then it would hop on the deck from one side to another and at times just put some real exertion into pulling it.

Too bad I didn't think about getting the camcorder out as this would have been great for America's Funniest Videos or Animal Planet. My excuse is that I was laughing too hard. Who knows, maybe I could have won some money so I could afford some GAS!!!

When a robin is that intent on getting material like that, you can bet that it is building a nest. I looked above the deck lights, two really favorite nesting spots, but nothing there. I did find it on the upper shelf of the deck bar.

That Was One FUNNY Bird. --RoadDog