The basement was cool today. Also Ken fixed the AC. Ordered and then installed a new motor, did I say? We had a beautiful sunset tonight.
Meanwhile, there’s drama in the suburban creatures chronicles.
After feeding the turkey family for a week or so, the mother took to coming over to me when I went outside. This thrilled me, naturally. I’d say, “Hello, Mama!” and then go get the seeds. Eventually the four chicks would come over too. “Hello, Mama! Hello, Chicks!” Eager. Unafraid.
After the turkeys finish, doves, cardinals, and squirrels pick at what’s left. Today for the second time, a rat joined in.
Ugh. Really?
I tried putting the seeds in two big bowls so I could stow whatever was left back in the garage, but the turkeys wouldn’t go near them. So I spread the seeds on the lawn as usual. And there came the rat again, happily eating alongside the doves and the squirrels.
I know there can’t just be ONE rat. I also know I cannot give up feeding my turkey family. So what to do? Tolerate the rodent, knowing there are likely many more nearby?
To be continued.
So the rats seem to follow the turkeys. I do not know why. But when I walk along the Longwood Mall here in Brookline there are many, many turkeys. They roost in the large beech trees at night and come down to eat during the day. I do see rats. Mostly dead in the road. They get run over but never-the-less they are there with the turkeys. It is weird.
That Longwood Mall is where I first saw the turkeys! I used to have regular appointments nearby. That was before some of them migrated to Newton.
I’ve been turkey watching for years now and this is the first I’m seeing of the rats.
UGH I’d rat-there not know. Honestly turkeys are not my favorite creature either… But I still admire you.
Vultures next?? Now there’s a disgusting creature, the vulture? xoxo
Well I’d draw a hard line at vultures. But they wouldn’t be after seed, now would they.
I do trust your judgement ☺️
if I feed wildlife I do it as far away from my house as possible…rats and mice also like a free meal and I don’t want them close to my house.
Well that’s sensible
Dee~ I just looked for our wild turkeys yesterday on my way home. I haven’t seen them in ages. I don’t know that I would feed them myself, as much as I like seeing them. Years ago, I had a male puff himself up even bigger and got between me and the females. I was not too close…but I backed up real fast! They can be protective and I wasn’t chancing it! Oy. Not wild about rats near the home after our crazy rat experience at the old place. ugh.
I haven’t seen a male all summer. I just realized. Yeah they can be quite intimidating
Ha I see a chipmunk and think how cute .. I see a rat and think yikes 😳 weirdly they aren’t that different. Love turkey feathers .. think I’ve said that before. We have a raccoon family in ours … think I’d rather have turkeys.
Before they changed the style of our garbage cans, we used to see lots of raccoons. They look friendly but aren’t. And I know what you mean about chipmunks vs rats.
Huzzah Ken for not having to call a repair person! We had to have a capacitor replaced last year. A 20$ part and ten minute service call was 178$.
About that rat and his wife and kids. I made the mistake of feeding the birds off the picnic table on the main floor deck. Within a year we had a rat infestation under the stairs. They got into my kitchen and chewed the base of the built in seating and the cabinets. Ate the damn wallpaper. We had four cats at the time.
Well that’s terrifying. Maybe I will have to let the turkeys fend for themselves.