Loon Update

 Gretchen Farnsworth sent a photo of one of the loons at the northern end of the pond on its new nest. For some reason, they abandoned the nest on the platform and picked this spot in the middle of the lily pads that probably isn't more than just a hummock of weeds and roots. That leaves them very vulnerable to shifts in water level, especially if the rain this week raises the pond very much. Hopefully the rain will come in small amounts and the dam will be able to adjust quickly enough so the nest will be ok. The floating platform was much safer as far as adjusting to fluctuating water levels, but perhaps some other

animal took up residence there and that posed a threat to the loons. We'll be watching to see if our third-pond pair can raise a chick this year. The young loon will be somewhat behind when it comes time to migrate, and I'm hoping it will be strong enough to take off when it should.

Today is one of those overcast, still, summer days when it's nice to sit outside and listen to the birds chattering with no interference from wind rustling the leaves. I've heard a jay complaining about something - it seemed a little early for them to be setting up such a loud conversation; I generally associate that activity/sound with late August and September. I have an unusual number of birds around my house this year. Probably the population has increased because Woody, my cat, is no longer here. I have a new family of house sparrows in one of my bluebird houses. They are very busy feeding the young, apparently. I cannot see the chicks, but judging how often the adult birds are  in and out, I'm sure they are in there and hungry! There seems to be a lot of chatter from the adults going on, too.

I'm always happy to hear the young crows. There seem to be plenty of them around this year, too. I also have a resident turkey that is probably living in the woods between me and Kate and Jay Chatot. Every day - at no special time, but on a pretty regular basis - I see him either waling up my lower lawn or back towards Kate's. He  usually follows the road, crossing my driveway by the mailbox and heads up Jamie and Marie's driveway. Later I may see him going back through, more often on the back lawn, but sometimes kind of retracing his steps, as if going back to his roost for the night. He's always alone and reminds me of the Chantix ads on television. His gait is the same. Someone did their homework well when they designed that ad. I was surprised that he paid no attention at all to me the other day when I was outside watering the newly seeded lawn, in full sight of him as he approached from the lower edge of my property. I kept watering and he kept walking. I guess turkeys are becoming more acclimated to people. They have very good eyesight, so I'm pretty sure he knew I was there. 

Enjoy the weekend - even though it's overcast, the temperature is still very comfortable. I had to put on my flannel shirt this morning because the house was so cool, and it's still very comfortable in here even though the outdoor temperature is showing 77F. Showers later today and perhaps tomorrow.