When one of our neighbors started destroying backyard habitat last year right after Westar had sent their tree butchers out, I was very concerned about the birds who nest here every summer. Shortly after, a nearby slumlord rented to the family from hell, complete with a preteen who liked pissing off the roof and throwing rocks, sticks, and whatever he could get his hands on at the neighborhood wildlife. Things looked bad and we were thinking about considerable debt to get a high privacy fence to protect our yard and those who live there. Our backyard is generally host to a large diversity of birds who make it their home during breeding season. I was particularly worried about the secretive gray catbirds who use the thick hedges along the backs of several yards. Fortunately, when the catbirds arrived this spring, the slumlord had kicked out the family and much of the thicket around the trees and fences was starting to grow back. I was overjoyed this morning to be out wandering around in the yard and discover fledgling catbird and parent hopping around in the thicket. The light was not so good, so the pics are a little dark, but you get the idea. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor