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November 12, 1992 - Feeder Facts for Feathered Friends.... - T;ie Suffolk Times • November 12, 1092 Feeder Facts for Feathered Friends By Paul Stoutenburgh If there were a graph showing the sales of bird seed, you'd have an up- surge right now, another indicator of the arrival of fall. I know my bird feeders have been pulled out of the garage and refurbished with new seed for the first time this past week. Usually they are put up before this but this year things are running a little behind schedule. It's remarkable how short a time it takes "my birds" to find their new supply of food. I guess it just goes to prove that although we're not always cognizant that birds are around, most of the time Focus on Nature the truth is that they are. We're just not out there to see them. Along with supplying the seed feed- ers, a good chunk of suet was put in its wire cage for the woodpeckers and others. Right now, as I am writing, a beautiful red - bellied woodpecker is having its breakfast at the right side of the suet. Evidently this is the best spot for he always seems to work himself around to it before digging in. I can re- member the first red - bellied wood- pecker I ever saw. It was spring time and my wife and I had just been married and were living in my dad's place when I heard this unusual call coming from behind a boarded -up summer place. Of course, I immediately investigated and found this big, almost flicker -sized woodpecker digging away on a limb about 20 feet above the ground. With my binoculars I could see the bird was actually excavating a hole and so for the next week and a half I made regular visits to the site. As the bird expanded its new cavity, it kept up its loud and unusual call. Could it be it was trying to lure a mate? Announcements Latin Mass Set At Sacred Heart CUTCHOGUE —The diocese of Rockville Centre will provide a Tridentine Latin Mass at noon Sunday, Nov. 15, at Sacred Heart Church on the Main Road. The Latin Mass will be scheduled thereafter at noon on the third Sun- day of each month. Press Scholarships Are Available Applications are now being accepted for the New York Press Association's (NYPA) $2,500 Howard W. Palmer Scholarship Award for 1993 -1994. Applicants must be New York resi- dents for at least one year and enrolled or planning to be enrolled in a recog- nized print journalism program at a state school. The student must attend college during the 1993 -1994 academic year. High school seniors are eligible. Applications will `be judged by the NYPA's scholarship committee and an- nounced in March 1993. For informa- tion write NYPA, 16$1 Western Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12203 -4307. Photo by Barbara stoutenburgh GOLDFINCH—Now is the time to get your bird feeders out of storage and stock them with seed. A little effort on your part will be well rewarded throughout the winter. Pioneer in His Class This red - bellied woodpecker must have been a lone pioneer for he never did find a mate and his handsome new apartment went unused that year. From then on there has been a steady increase in these southern woodpeckers. Like the titmouse, cardinal, Carolina wren, mockingbird and others, they have found living in the north has its advan- tages. Perhaps it's because we've given them help through the winter with our feeders that they have thrived. Or per- haps it's because of our milder winters. Whatever it is, these winged southerners are a welcome addition to our dwindling bird population. How and what to feed birds are ques- tions often asked and as variable as the people who ask. I personally have three things I offer. Suet, which was once given away by the local butcher, is now only available for sale in neat packages from the chain stores. Nevertheless, if you want the downy and hairy wood- peckers along with titmice and chick- adees and others, hang your chunk of suet in an old onion bag or orange bag and you'll have results in no time. This improvised holder works fine if you don't have raccoons about but if they are in the neighborhood, watch out. Then a wire container is the only solu- tion. As for the mixed bird seed and sun- flower seed, I put them in the plastic feeders but here again vandals like the grey squirrel will always be there to take advantage of a free meal. The only way you can outwit them is to hang the feeder so they can't climb up it and buy one with metal openings rather than just the plastic opening for they'll soon rip the plastic apart given a chance. Use a Flat Surface T always like a flat surface for some of my'seed. It makes an excellent holder for extra goodies like peanuts, berries, apples,, orange slices, etc., that often at- tract the unusual bird. Don't forget to spread some of your seeds below for our ground feeders, such as sparrows or i �10w ■ ..,. V= nwwiw 78 Years Ago Nov. 21, 1914 Let the People Know: Showing the growing demand for publicity of the right sort, we note that at the town election at Riverhead the proposition providing for the publication in all local newspapers of itemized reports from town officers as well as full information as to election mat- ters received a majority vote. The public has a right to know these things and it is up to all town officials to let the public know where the money goes. Southold Town does this and we believe the taxpayers appreciate it. Join the Knitting Brigade: Some of the ladies in Greenport are taking thought of the poor fellows spending their days in the trenches while the wet, cold weather grows more severe. The sorrows of war are not limited to wounds received in battle. As a Frenchman in America said the other day, "We shall lose 40 percent of our men. Some will be killed in fighting. More will die of tuberculosis within two years." They need mufflers and wristlets to help keep them from perishing with the cold. Will you join the knit- ting brigade? 50 Years Ago Nov. 12, 1942 Woman Power: Increasing demands by war produc- juncos who prefer to feed there rather than up in the air. I mentioned raccoons and squirrels as robbers of our bird food but of the two I think the grey squirrel is the most dis- ruptive. This trapeze artist can tightrope any wire you string up. It can climb any kind of pipe and jump to its favorite feeder all as if it were just part of his everyday routine. It takes an ingenious person to outwit a grey squirrel intent on gaining access to your feeder. Other vandals of your bird seed are the starlings, bluejays, house sparrows and finches. The first two seem to be the true aggressors, chasing everyone in- cluding their own from their supply of food. I guess what we dislike about the jays is their insatiable appetite, as we watch them pick up sunflower seed after sunflower seed to the extent one would think there was no more room in their jowls for more. Finally, when full, they will fly away and stack their loot in a convenient nook and cranny amongst the trees. Later the jay will visit these special spoils and pick away until he penetrates the shell where the sweet meat is. The sparrows and finches are toler- ated by most feeder watchers and to some degree they spread the seed around in such a fury of selection that much is spilled on the ground where the white- throated sparrows, juncos and mourning doves find it easily. Of course, then there are always my chick- ens who make their daily round to pick up any of the leftovers. When it comes to the most admired of all birds at our feeders, the chickadee wins hands down, with the cardinal coming in as a close second. The chick- adee is not only the most admired but also the easiest to tame to come to your hand. With a little practice and patience they'll respond to your call and delight all who see them. Now is the time to start getting things ready for winter feeding. Sunflower and mixed bird seed along with a nice chunk of suet are just about all you'll need. Place your feeders, `if possible, near shrubs so the birds will feel secure and in no time you'll have lured our feath- ered friends right under your windows. Good luck and keep feeding. tion plants in the Suffolk - Nassau area have developed a manpower problem which can only be met by the active co- operation of all employable women. It is obvious that most of the workers needed now for the production of airplanes, guns and ammunition will have to be women. Millions of new workers are going to be needed nationally within the next year. Woman power will have to be utilized. This is an appeal to the women of Suffolk County to register with the U.S. Employment Service for war work. Five -Tire Limit: After Nov. 22 it will be illegal for any person to use gasoline in his motor car if he or any member of his household, related by blood, marriage or adoption, owns more than five tires per passenger car. Idle tires should be disposed of at Railway Express agencies. This pool of new and used tires will be used for essential car service until synthetic rubber can take over. Tell your express agent if you prefer payment for idle tires in War Savings Bonds or Stamps. 25 Years Ago Nov. 17, 1967 County Police Eliminated Here: The Suffolk Board of Supervisors adopted a local law designed to elimi- nate County Police services from the five eastern towns by the first of the year.