Having just dealt with a pregnant stray cat (see previous blog), I discovered that there is a new wave of thinking on FERAL CAT CONTROL. This is a blurb from Wikipedia. Trap-neuter-return (TNR), also known as trap-test-vaccinate-alter-release (TTVAR), is a method of humanely trapping unaltered feral cats, spaying or neutering them, and returning them to the location where they were collected. TNR is promoted by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) as a humane and more effective alternative to euthanasia for managing and reducing feral cat populations.TNR is opposed by wildlife advocacy organizations, PETA, and conservation scientists. Advocates claim that the procedure works by stopping the birth of new cats in the colony and letting the colony members live out their lifespan, approximately six years for outdoor cats, with their own group. Opponents claim that TNR subsidizes a non-native predator responsible for the deaths of more than fourteen billion birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians annually in the United States alone.

When I first read about the idea, I thought this was going to be the solution for our stray female. I offered to go in with my neighbors and have her spayed and just return her to living on the streets. A few weeks went by and then we discovered she was pregnant. So the Neuter and Release was now no longer an option. Plus I had time to think about the damage to wildlife that outdoor kitties do. Going to various sites, I found that the option to Trap, Neuter and Release is being offered more and more. There are even barn cats available to adopt. These are in general feral cats that have been vaccinated, neutered and are ready to be someone's mouse/rat/gopher catcher. Sounds like a good idea. But what about the rest of the wildlife that domestic cats are responsible for killing? I do agree with neutering. I guess the hard part is returning to the wild.

This idea of neutering wildlife is also being tested with wild deer as a non-lethal white tail deer population control for urban environments. Many communities are coming around to the idea as culling deer populations through hunting encourages remaining deer to have more offspring as there is a greater abundance of food. Sterilization on the other hand returns deer to the community who will never get pregnant again. And, unlike deer who are killed, sterilized animals will continue to occupy their half-mile ranges, discouraging other deer from moving in. So in the case of the deer, there does not appear to be any reason not to do this. With feral cats, the question is more complex and I think requires a great deal more consideration.

A new kitty started coming around a couple of months ago. My  friend (and neighbor) kept tabs on her, watched as TOM cats came and went, put a collar on her with notes to her possible owners and finally realized that this sweet black kitty was on her own and pregnant. My help was enlisted as both local and county SPCAs could not offer any help, no fosters, no thoughts really other than "the pound MAY keep her a week but will probably euthanize her before the kittens are born". So this was totally unacceptable and I called my vet office, VCA of Santa Cruz, and was given the name of an organization that could possibly help us: http://www.headinghomerescue.org/ Melissa responded immediately to my e-mail and said, "Do you want us to find a home for this kitty and her kittens?" and my response was an unequivocal YES! So she met with us today and took this sweet kitty who will be fostered and allowed to have her kittens and homes will be found for all post neutering.

This was such a win-win situation. I feel most grateful to have an organization such as this and would recommend anyone reading this blog to consider donating. Such a great resource and I am so surprised that the local and county SPCAs do not give out this information. I plan to contact them about it as I am a monthly donor. I feel frustrated that this information was not forthcoming.


Please check out my other blogs at my website, http://www.ladywholovesbirds.com/blog.html.

The path where the Anna's Hummingbird has built the nest is a walk-through to a storage area so I had to block it and put up a sign. She sits still as stone when we get close and we will try very hard not to go through here. Apparently it takes 14 days for the babies to hatch and then 3-4 weeks before they fledge.

I am particularly fond of ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS and have done a series of watercolors in my Etsy Shop:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/176283496/watercolor-bird-ornament-hummingbird?ref=shop_home_active_5

by Alexandra Sanders AKA LadyWhoLovesBirds
Gifts for Bird Lovers

I have fond memories of going to the park with my children to feed the ducks. The ducks gobbled up whatever we tossed out. This was years ago. Then it came to light that certain foods were not good for ducks: raw rice apparently can puff up once ingested and potentially clog the intestinal track; yeast can cause an array of problems, moldy foods can cause diseases. Now I am reading how young ducks and geese become deformed when fed a high carbohydrate diet OR too much protein. The deformity is called Angel Wing, also known as slipped wing, crooked wing or drooped wing. Angel Wing is a condition of ducks and geese where the last joint of the wing is twisted and the wing feathers point out, and do not lay smooth against the body. It primarily occurs in wild ducks and geese fed by humans. It is not life threatening and it can be cleared up by changing the diet. Read on to find out all about the dangers of the wrong food for ducks and how you can find gifts for bird lovers in your life.

WHAT NOT TO FEED DUCKS: The most common items fed to ducks and waterfowl are often the least nutritious and most unhealthy: bread, chips, crackers, popcorn and similar baked carbohydrate products and scraps as well as moldy foods. This human food has little nutritional value and can harm ducklings’ growth, pollute waterways, increase the spread of disease, attract rodents and other pests and in some cases cause death. This is junk food for ducks. 

POOR DIETS CREATE MANY PROBLEMS FOR DUCKS: Not only can junk food lead to excessive weight making it harder for them to fly and otherwise evade predators, in areas where ducks are regularly fed a poor diet, ducklings will not learn to FORAGE for natural foods as easily. Also, where an easy food source is abundant, ducks and other wild birds will lay more eggs and the pond or lake will become overcrowded. OVERCROWDING AND FEEDING A BAKED CARBOHYDRATE RICH DIET leads to greater defecation, and bird feces easily harbor bacteria responsible for numerous diseases, including avian botulism. Second, certain molds can cause aspergillosis, a fatal lung infection that can decimate entire duck and wild bird flocks.

POOR DIETS FOR DUCKS CREATE PROBLEM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: There is often pollution from both too many ducks defecating and the rotting of uneaten food which can create greater algae growth that can clog natural waterways. This concentrates the pollution and can eventually eradicate fish and other life in the vicinity. Rotten food also attracts rats and mice which harbor additional diseases that can be dangerous to humans.

Fortunately, there are many other types of food that can be offered to ducks, geese and swans as part of a healthy and nutritious diet.

Good Foods for Ducks:
Wild ducks and wild birds can live longer, healthier lives by relying on natural food sources such as aquatic plants, seeds, grasses and insects rather than taking handouts from well-meaning humans. If you still want to feed the ducks – and doing so can be an enchanting experience – there are many healthier alternatives. 
The best foods for ducks are those that provide the nutrients, minerals and vitamins the are needed for healthy growth and development. Many of these foods are similar to the natural seeds, grains and plants the ducks will forage on their own. As OMNIVORES**, ducks will eat a great deal of different foods, and the best foods to offer ducks include:

• Cracked corn
• Wheat, barley or similar grains
• Oats (uncooked; rolled or quick)
• Milo
• Birdseed (any type or mix)
• Grapes (cut in half)
• Frozen peas or corn (defrosted, no need to cook)
• Earthworms
• Mealworms (fresh or dried)
• Chopped lettuce or other greens or salad mixes
• Vegetable trimmings or peels (chopped)
• Snails and slugs (no bait)
• Alfalfa Pellets

REMEMBER, it is important to not offer rotting or moldy foods. Think in terms of what these ducks might naturally forage for in the wild: fresh grasses, seeds, insects, slugs, fruits, grains, etc. Duck feed pellets or alfalfa pellets are another great option, and they can be purchased from farming or agricultural supply stores. Turkey feed is too high is protein so steer clear of this option.

**Describes a diet that includes both plants and animals. Omnivorous birds eat a wide range of things, including insects, fish, lizards, crustaceans and rodents (from animals) as well as seeds, grain, grasses, nectar and fruit (from plants). Omnivorous bird species often change their diet seasonally for whatever food sources are most readily available, such as eating insects in the spring and summer but switching to fruits or seeds in the fall and winter. 

Information gathered from assorted web sources on what and what not to feed ducks and compiled by Alexandra Sanders aka the LadyWhoLovesBirds

I have discovered a fabulous way to spend an hour or so relaxing outside. It really could stretch out longer as it is so enjoyable. I am using my iPhone App, iBird Pro, to call to the Birds In My Back Yard, whom I call the BIMBY: Birds-In-My-Back-Yard.

Two days ago, I thought I heard some HOODED ORIOLES, but was unsure. I opened up my iBird Pro and started playing the different hooded oriole sounds that are within the program. Sure enough, within 3-4 minutes, I had 4 hooded orioles in the tree above me. They were so interested and came closer and closer. 

Yesterday I had some GOLDEN CROWNED SPARROWS  in the yard and did the same thing. This was so fun. One came within a foot of me. I also called TOWHEES and NUTHATCHES. The towhees responded but nothing from the nuthatches. I have not seen any this year at all. Miss their beeping. 

I realize bird calls are nothing new, I just have never done it before.  

Today the CEDAR WAXWINGS arrived to sample the nectar of my wonderful eucalyptus tree. Cedar Waxwings emit this high pitched call and it is very apparent when they arrive. They left before I could get my iBird Pro out to call to them. 

I had wonderful luck with the CHESTNUT BACKED CHICKADEES. I played the different songs and one of the birds came within a foot of me. So interested. 






Article written by Alexandra Sanders, aka the LadyWhoLovesBirds

I had an epiphany the other day in watercolor class. I have been struggling with the basic watercolor concept of layering. I just didn't get it and kept mixing my colors on my palette and applying them. Then I happened to notice the beginnings of one of my classmate's designs in class. She had a bright yellow leaf on her paper but nothing yellow before her which she was using as her model. Her finished piece had no yellow whatsoever. Interestingly, my work with BATIK is all about layering. My color "palette" is decided ahead of time. If I plan to have green, then I start with yellow, same with orange; yellow must go down first. All of a sudden, something clicked. Here is my first piece with my new understanding. I like it!