A Pastime

The southern porch sits close by the fence that marks one of our property lines. Consequently, we get fence trees, mainly hackberries. Sometimes they’re right on the fence, sometimes just off. A while back we had one just off and I let it grow. As it matured, I used the opportunity to hang a bird feeder. It was fun for a while. Then the sparrows showed up. They muscled out the competition, spread seed everywhere and lived up to their pest reputation. Down came the bird feeder and eventually down came the tree.

Meanwhile, we had a fence mesquite that did and is doing well, and the sumacs showed up. We kept both. Normally you try to avoid fence trees, but my neighbor is also my cousin, and if we want a mesquite, we can have one. I think that’s sweet. The sumac is just off the fence relatively close to where the old hackberry was. Birds like the mesquite beans for sure, but the sumac is the real star of the natural bird feeder show. Once the blooms turn to seeds in come the birds. They arrive in groups, cluster on the seed pods and feast. It’s almost over, but they’re still coming. Last meals before winter, I guess.

Yesterday, we had bluebirds. Two. That was a treat. They hung upside down in the pods to eat and then foraged on the ground. I’ve got a nest box on the back fence that I hope the bluebirds use. We’ll see. In its previous location it mostly provided shelter to wrens. I should probably build more and have a gated community for birds. That would be fun. Later, in the sumac, the bluebirds were joined by some warblers that I have to yet to identify. Cute little birds with a bright yellow patch on their rump, just where the tail feathers hit the body. There’s actually a yellow rumped warbler, but I want to be sure before I call it. Meanwhile, when the sun comes up, I’m going to sit by the window, drink my coffee, and see who comes to feed. As pastimes go, that’s a good one.