I feel your pain, Lesley. This spring my Robin's nest was attacked by an Owl in the middle of the night. I'm not a morning person so I was still up when I heard the commotion. I immediately ran out and brought the remaining three babies inside the garage because as you well know, the Owl would be back later to collect them if I had not interfered. I had all the necessary equipment on hand, including the nest and proceeded over the next two weeks to raise them to the point where they could fly short distances and NOT stay on the ground, open to attack by any ground or air predator. I set them free and they were almost immediately joined by one of the parents (I had kept them at the garage entrance, where the parents could see and hear them). They enjoyed themselves in a large Cottonwood tree in my back yard all afternoon and by the next morning had made off together to the backwoods safely. I know you may not agree with my stance of not letting nature take it's course but that's just the way I'm wired. I have done this many times with different bird species and am proud of my success rate. I do not, however, take in birds that have already fledged unless they have been hurt by a predator or vehicle. I am lucky to live near a specialist in the next town over and bring them to her when I feel I'm unqualified to care for them. I get the sense that you do not have that luxury where you live and so must let things go, however difficult it must be. I only hope you can appreciate my contribution to the birds. I know I appreciate yours. A gift that I do not have, with no video ability to boot. Keep up your great work! I will keep watching!
So sorry about the baby Jay's and Webster. Birds are so beautiful and innocent, I have a hard time reconciling the fact that being in these birds lives also means seeing some of the bad times too. Stay strong fellow bird nerd.
I think it’s so beautiful that your blue jays feel so comfortable around you that they can relax and sun themselves. I always feel like it’s a gift from an animal that they allow me in at a moment they would normally keep hidden for their own safety.
Squirrels are the bane of my existence. They eat all the bird food, they pee and poop anywhere and everywhere (right in the food, no less). Its like they get enough food, why do they need to go after the babies? Then one day there was a little squirrel with a broken paw and the worst case of mange I ever saw. All the other squirrels (like 16 of them in my one little yard!) chased him and kept him from the peanuts. I felt bad for him, so I only gave peanuts only to him. He never begs or demands peanuts like the other squirrels, he waits patiently for the leftovers. Finally he got so much better - even the paw! Amazing to see what 2 weeks of peanuts and better nutrition can do. Now he chases away the other bad mannered squirrels, and he is still polite and unassuming. I guess all squirrels aren't so bad! They still aggravate the Jays to the point of Making them do the alarm calling.
Oh, dear Lesley, my heart goes out to you. I can only imagine how hard it was for you on so many levels. You did do the best you could under the circumstances and it's a shame you had to witness the moment. I didn't know squirrels attack baby jays; why would they do that? I apologize for my ignorance. I am glad you shared this with us. It is part of your experience, and part of the reality of really noticing and connecting with nature; the joys outweigh the sad moments for sure, but heartbreaking moments do exist and honouring the sorrow we feel for the wee critters we've come to love is important. I appreciate your taking the time to make this, it must've been hard even putting the video together I imagine. Those baby jays though were SO darn cute snoozing and sleeping; they stole my heart. I am glad that your relationship with Blue and Sweet Girl wasn't ruined. And good thinking... wait until the little ones are a bit older and less vulnerable - our tender hearts can't handle pain, especially when we can't do anything about it. Sending you a huge hug from your fellow bird nerd.
I just read the other day that squirrels are omnivores and will eat baby birds, frogs, insects etc. I had no idea, I thought they just ate seeds and nuts and spent their time masterminding how to get into every bird feeder there is.
They were more than likely *Red* squirrels, not grey. Reds are the only ones I've seen on her videos. Red squirrels are very aggressive; grey squirrels are more opportunistic... like eating helpless eggs or fledglings in a nest box, or finding a dead bird and eating it. Red squirrels will even eat the young of their own species ... they're psychos!
I too had no clue. We have ground squirrels and the day I saw one had a sparrow in it's mouth I about freaked! The circle of life. Just didn't want to witness it 😕 Sorry Lesley 😯 My heart hurts for you.
After living with a wildlife rehaber for many years, I seen sad stories, heart breaking stories and really good feeling stories of the cruelity of nature. For thirty years my darling wife ran Eagle Bay Wildlife Rehab. Ten years around Los Angeles Calif. and twenty with me in the UP of Mich. Here is one of many happy ending stories. One of our neighbors once brought over a Cedar Waxwind baby with hardly a feather on it. Had fallen out of the nest on the edge of our property, twenty yards away from our house and thirty feet in the tree. She fed that baby and took care of it until it was looking like it was going to fledge any day. She put the bird cage out on the deck and the little one started tweeting and loving the outdoors. Within a few minutes, an adult Wax wing came down from the tree, where the little one fell from and started to feed it. My wife walked out, opened the cage, the little one flew a few feet over to the railing on the deck, the adult came back and started feeding it again. They flew off together. Happy ending. We had so many happy endings that they out numbered the ones we lost. From black bear to hummingbirds, my wife has rehabbed most. Really enjoy your bird videos and wish you well.
You're videos are both fascinating and emotional. I appreciate them. This upcoming winter will be my first observing birds during the cold season. I am curious to observe who stays and who migrates. My hummingbirds are already gone, but I keep the nectar feeder up with fresh nectar in case one or two are still hanging around. I find observing the various birds fascinating. Thank you for your videos.
Oh Lesley!! Thank you! Your commentary is spare and focused. The music is just right! What a sweet respite from the national and international lunatic news. My deepest thanks. Susan from So California. 💗
I'm glad you shared the story of the fledglings. Nature is sometimes tough for us humans to watch, but death is a part of life. If you loved red squirrels rather than birds, you may have focused on that squirrel's nest... maybe he has starving babies at home. Nature is so difficult for us to comprehend! As always, thank you so much for your beautiful footage and narration.
Thank you for sharing the sad moments in nature. It is bittersweet and at many times when we become very attached to these beautiful critters, we see what really happens in the wild. I have seen many beautiful creatures in nature and ones dying is to feed another...and ends up being very heartbreaking to us humans. I try to get past it all too. Take care and Bird on!! 🐦🐤🕊💕🤔
I know how you feel it is sad to see babies not making it we had 5 fledgling chickadee siblings that liked to stick around in our yard (lots of plant cover available food and water can't blame them) sadly a Hawk got one of them then a few months later it happened again. The other three are still around but it hurts knowing their siblings weren't able to make it. T_T
I am sorry Leslie!!! I learned the Hard way last spring with 2 baby cardinals. It got me so sad/depressed, then beat myself up for not being able to save them. After that experience, I said never again follow the fletchings. Heartbreaking what happened to those two jays!!! :(
I frequently laugh at the aggressive nature of red squirrels I see, and make fun of them- barking back at them. I've never thought about their interaction with other animals, I had no idea. Thank you for sharing this aptly named bittersweet journey. Lovely birds and lovely plants, thank you.
I didn't know squirrels attack fledglings like that- I only thought they could damage eggs. Darn things. Regardless, another awesome video, Leslie~ please do take care of yourself. We appreciate the vids but it's important you stay in good spirits too!
@@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane should be called bloodsquirrels maybe she should keep a weasel they only eat brain protein of small mammals and rodents, i think it ignores birds their brain is too small
Rodents are a lot more vicious than we think. They all have wicked teeth and most of them behave like complete cutthroats. Most of them are like different varieties of rats. Squirrels are tree rats.
So sad about the babies. Squirrels can be mean. I have seen this for myself. What a treat to see them sunning! So now I know whose on my shirt. That's an awesome picture of Blue and Sweet Girl! 💙🖤💙🖤😊 Sheila
Hi Lesley, How heart-breaking that must have been for you. Many years ago I got attached to a family of swallows. The babies were still in the nest and one day along came a crow and, well, you can probably guess the rest. It was very traumatic to witness. I reacted fast to try to scare the crow but it wasn't fast enough. Don't blame yourself. To this day, I still dislike crows for this reason alone. Yet I know it's nature - survival of the fittest, etc. Poor Blue and Sweet Girl. They are such good parents. - Alli
you have a very tender heart! I get you would be negative about crows after what you witnessed! That's awful! I'm so sorry you had to see that sad scene! I witnessed a hawk do the same to a nest of crow nestlings....Crows mate for life and love their families and they stay together sometimes their whole lives. It's because of Lesley's educational vid where she gave 5 reasons to Like/Love Crows . It's for those things (wildlife cycles etc) I love Crows. But I still get you. It's very tough to see your bird friends get killed!😞
@@marilynlivingston3462 Yes, that was a long time ago but it stuck with me a long time. I realize now that it's just the way of nature - cruel though it may seem at times. The crow was "surviving", just like all of God's creatures do. Everything living has to eat. Although it breaks my heart to see any defenceless creature suffer at the hands of something else. I have no doubt I'd feel the same way witnessing baby crows being torn apart. 😣
@@Alli_Sea Nope, I don't allow Crows to be anywhere near our area. I don't like them, and the nasty things will never be welcome. I swear the other birds we feed know this too!
It's so heart wrenching to watch squirrels go after birds, especially fledglings like these precious Blue Jays. I'm fortunate this year because my overabundant squirrel population has greatly diminished. I save a lot on peanuts now. I'm not certain why the population decreased. Perhaps birds of prey like hawks and owls, or maybe coyotes. I can only surmise. I don't have anything against any wild animals, but Nature does have a way of keeping her things in check. I hope your leg and hip are greatly improved Lesley. ❤
I just love your videos, who knew I would become a bird guy. Growing up my nickname was Jaybird as my name is Jay. Some still call me this even at 57 years old. My mom called me that all the time and sense her passing six years ago it warms my heart to hear people still call me that. I too feed my Jay’s around here, about ten of them. I can’t wait to get as close to them like you do. I know that will take years no doubt. But I enjoy them so much. Your calming voice on your videos with your music selection along with your VERY BEAUTIFUL photography takes me so back to relaxation, it reminds me of sitting in kindergarten in a circle while the teacher would read books to us with such expression. Thank You. Please keep doing these videos.
Knowing what life is ...reality is sometimes we must do to mature into responsible adults...then and only then can we nuture and protect those who need us in their weak and frightened moments...Happy Birding..🙏❤️🪺🦋🐦🐦⬛
I too, am tender hearted. I didn’t know squirrels would attack birds. Hang in there. It is such a blessing to experience your relationship with these beautiful creatures.
I'm so sorry. I think your actions and choices were best. And waiting till those wee ones are older makes a very great deal of sense. You live with these bird folk afterall. They're like an extended family. Take good care!
Such sweet little things. I had a similar experience with nestlings of a Mourning Dove family on my patio. I watched them hatch and grow, only to be devoured by some Scrub Jays from a nearby canyon. Sad, but nature always wins.
I know how you feel, Lesley about hating the animal that hurts something you have grown to love. For me, I am protective of my squirrels, birds, chipmunks and rabbits that come to my back yard for the food I put out for them. I have seen hawks in the sky and even saw one perched on my fence the other day. I am as protective as any mother would be toward the animals I have grown to love. It is indeed bittersweet. I also watch a youtube bird rescue channel about owls, hawks, and eagles that are found on the side of the road almost dead because they are starving to death. That breaks my heart as well. Some go to the rehab center but die anyway. I have cried tears of anguish over some of those videos. Falling in love with animals and birds that you get to know can be quite painful when nature acts as it does. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and those beautiful birds.
Oh Lesley...how horrible to have witnessed that tragedy. My heart goes out to you. I think most of us who follow you can feel the emotions you were feeling. Years ago we had a hummer nest outside our window with 2 little ones that had just hatched. Our family was thrilled that we were going to watch them grow up. However, one evening when we were eating dinner, a Scrub Jay landed on the nest & quickly devoured both baby hummers. It was gut-wrenching. But, I still love my Scrubs & feed them all the time. Nature can be cruel. Thank you for sharing you beautiful video & may you find peace in your heart. Sending love from SoCAL. ♥
It was beautiful to see the baby jays together. Sorry to hear of the unfortunate outcome : ( You do show us some extraordinary and interesting videos . I loved the part where they're sunning : ) They and you make me happy too. Thanks again for sharing your passion with us💙
Thank you. A similar incident just happened to me when a rat attacked a full grown blue jay right in front of me in Central Park. I was very badly shaken. I love being out in nature and realize how I must expand myself to take in its hardship as well as its beauty. This video really helped me. Thank you.
I enjoy having a relationship with my local wildlife but it is heartbreaking sometimes. Later in the morning after watching your video and sympathizing with your experience, I found my local junior bunny on the ground fatally wounded (it looked like it may have been dropped by whatever planned to eat it and it was either paralyzed or had broken limbs). I tried to help but it was terrified of me and would flop away from me if I touched it. It had a round quarter size hole in its hip. S/he was hiding out in my garden for a while during late summer but I discouraged its presence by making it difficult for the bunny to access whatever food or potential food (they love blossoms) that I had. Now I feel bad about that. I had left the gate open and it got in ... Maybe hawk caught the poor guy and just couldn't hang on. I am glad I was there to pray to ease its pain but more than that I could not do ....
Wow! I love all that lichen on the trees! The babies are so cute! It must be terribly difficult and time consuming to go through all your videos and whittle down the choices to fit less than 20 minutes. I hope Nova has forgiven you. I love those slo-mo clips, especially of Lintel's mate. I had no idea that a Squirrel would take a fledgling! How neat that the little one came to you, but so sad that Blue thought you might have hurt the baby and that it was attacked. I feel sure they must have figured out the truth of it. I enjoyed the sunning video with info; that's pretty neat. I am so sorry that you saw two of "your" babies hurt. I hope you don't have to witness anything like that again. Thank you for all you share.
Ouch my heart! It takes real strength to befriend animals. We can't do everything for them even though we want to make everything better. I think it's admirable that you have your heart open to these birds knowing that you are going to hurt for them when they go. But its worth it isn't it? Thanks for sharing these diaries. You do all the work and we get such a priceless gift. Its like we get to borrow the trust you have created with them and see the behaviors that would normally require a lot of time and emotional investment. So many people think birds are mindless seed eaters and that they don't feel like we do. These past few years my wife and I have seen some cruel things done to birds and other animals. The woman we rescued our Quaker from had another bird who we desperately wanted to take. Poor baby was miserable. Lonely, scared, and so full of love to give. By the time we were in a place where we could take her the woman had given the bird to another person who didn't know how to care for birds. Treated the bird like a fish in a fishbowl. Left her in her cage with no social interaction and her companion was with us so she was extra isolated. The guy had cats and didn't secure the cage at all. Poor sweet baby met its end in a horrible way. My wife tears up every time she thinks about how we could've saved her. Then I tear up seeing her tear up. We barely knew this bird but it doesn't matter we still mourn her because thats all we can do now. We want to start rescuing more birds. We have had so much fun and fulfillment socially rehabilitating our Blue Quaker - Lucatiel that we want to take on more. Nice to know there are people who care so deeply for these wonderful little beings. After seeing opposite from so many people it really is heartwarming despite the sad story of the baby Jays. As you said, bittersweet.
Awwwe Lesley you have such a big heart! A heart of pure gold! You really help those birds out and it's so interesting to see the relationships you have with the animals out there. I am super jealous! I wish I could have some relationship with some birds and observe them and be kind to the nature around me. But you're awesome and a true inspiration to bird watchers everywhere! Also poor baby birds getting attacked by squirrels, but why did they attack the babies? More competition? Or maybe there's a war going on between birds and squirrels! 🙀
I WAS FEELING SO HAPPY YOU'D SEEN THE BABIES GROW ENOUGH TO LEAVE THE NEST, THEN SICK TO HEAR THE REST, DIDNT THINK A SQUIRREL WOULD DO THAT, MAYBE A FOX, HAVEN'T WATCHED THE REST YET. 😢💜CAMILLE AUSTRALIA
Lesley I feel for you I picked a young dove up on my grass yesterday it had fledged but had a problem lifting off I checked it over and found a talon embedded in its neck I removed it and it's spending the night in my shed in a box I think it was a sparrow hawks dinner that got away or dropped I don't think it will survive but I did my bit and that's what counts. Edit. I did my best but it passed away peacefully thank you all for your lovely comments about this small beautiful important creature
I love hearing about people like you that take the time and love to help. Thankyou! 💙🐦👍 Not sure what you have (or not) in your area but a wildlife rehabilitation center will take injurded birds or small animals in and they have the recourses to help. I brought a sick finch in and there was a very good outcome. Sweet little Dove.....
Dawn Piper - Thank you very much for trying to help. Did it make it? You could maybe find a vet that sees songbirds (can be pricey but the bird may only need more rest and possibly antibiotic shot and a topical for its neck,). - Stephanie
Lesley, that had to be hard for you. But in the wild like that, these things happen. I have always respected those wildlife researchers that keep the cameras rolling and do not intervene when things take their course. I don't know if I could do it! As it is I will not allow any Crows to be in our area. I don't like the nasty things because of things I have witnessed them do, and as a result they are not allowed. And I swear the other birds we feed seem to know this! It's so funny and amusing to me that I could get so attached to a group of birds like that. So much so that I want to protect them! Like the rest of us, I am so appreciative of the work you do. Keep a stiff upper lip and carry on!
Beautiful video, Leslie! Sorry for your painful experience. Yes, nature is very cruel but one day the lion will lie down with the lamb and babies of all species will be safe from predators. Praise God!
Thanks for another great video! My heart was saddened as you spoke about the attacks. I would have felt the same way. I'm a new subscriber and I truly love your videos😁
That was heartbreaking, Lesley. We get attached, learn from our experiences, and hopefully it works out better next time. Watching Blue, and Sweetgirl, sun bathing put a smile on my face though. Take care :)
wow Lesley, so traumatic! It's good you shared this because it does come with your life of sharing your love and life with these beautiful friends. We need to know about this part as well. BTW...The sunbathing part of this vid is simply adorable! 🌞🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🌞👍 Question: How much do you feed your friends when you are with them. I've been feeding wild birds for 6yrs year round and I'm afraid I go a l go overboard at times. Almost forgot... as for daddy dive bombing you.....that's a good thing, right? It's in his DNA. He's wired to protect. I completely get it though. Your heart is so tender Lesley. Sometimes I think I have feathers. I think you may too. Blue feathers 🐦😉💙 I had an experience trying to help as sick Mountain Chickadee. I didn't know my boundaries and I made matters worse.. This precious, adorable and sick Chickadee trusted me for weeks; coming to me daily, hanging out with me. Without anymore details....I'm still upset with myself 2 yrs later. It takes strength to do what you do; to decide to wait until they are grown up. Our hearts can only take so much. Question Lesley.... How much do feed your friends when you are with them. Do you feed more in the winter?
I really enjoyed this one. A few times this spring/summer I've witnessed a red-shouldered hawk preying on fledgling jays in the woods by my house. I'm not usually one to get upset about the circle of life, but to witness all that made me pretty sad. I wish I were a bird whisperer like you ;_;
It’s a rainy gloomy fall morning. Watching your videos are so soothing and I sympathize with you, watching any injured bird is hard. One of my favorite red-bellied woodpecker was chased from the bird feeder by a Red tail hawk. The woodpecker flew into the side of the house,was temporarily knocked out and laid in my Garden bed below the house. The hawk landed on the rain gutter and was just looking down on my woodpecker. I’m thinking what do I do. The hawk needs to survive and has babies in the walnut tree in the wood behind my house. I didn’t know how badly injured the woodpecker was and if it couldn’t fly I didn’t want the hawk loss out on a much needed catch. What to do? I decided to just watch and see how it all plays out. The hawk sat on my rain gutter for a while but got tired of waiting and flew off. After some time the woodpecker got up and started walking around in the garden bed. Then he just took off. I was glad for the outcome because I don’t want the hawk to think he’s got a food source at my birdfeeder. Nature unfolding in front of our eyes is a good thing it keeps everything real. Birth, death, old age and disease is all a part of life.
It's good that you showed the good and the bad together because without bad you couldn't have good and with good you couldn't have bad anyways lots of love and 🐦✨💖🌀🤔🌈
Lesley - So very sorry about the 2 Baby Jays - having to hear and witness it. 😪 Kind of long - Baby Jays (as you know) are very noisy when being fed (I once thought they were being attacked outside - parent bird was feeding them. They were fine, (I had bruises on leg and knee hitting furniture as I ran) and I once saved a Blue Jay a bit larger than a fledging - heard God awful noise - worse than the scream of babies being fed, a neighbor's cat had it in its mouth but I managed to scare the cat and make it drop the Jay. I looked it over - had med. that is used in case of cat bite or saliva - no signs of any scratch or injury on it - released it within 10 days and at times still hear its call as it hatched nearby. What I'm trying to say is although the squirrel had them in its mouth, they were very stressed afterwards and not in the best of balance still being a fledging learning to fly, probably the 2 weakest of the clutch - maybe just need rest. I hope this is the case. Do not give up on them yet. Blue - could've thought you were in danger and was trying to make you move - it happens in nature if one bird senses or sees danger it will suddenly beak or push on its mate to make it move/get its attention to fly away from danger. He and Sweet Girl trust you to know you weren't hurting them. I hope they find that squirrel and well... I won't go into the details. Yes squirrels can and will eat eggs, babies, fledglings. If/when you go to that area again, you might be surprised and find the other 2. Don't give up. Sorry to hear about your injuries and that you heal soon. You need a break - the good kind :) - Stephanie
I think my blue jays are part squirrel. Some or one of them will bury a peanut in the lawn then cover it with a leaf or clump of grass. Then it’s back to the feeder.
Lesley, no need to apologize for the tragedy that sometimes happens in nature. It's unavoidable, and I think it's good for educational purposes for people to see that Mother Nature - She giveth and She taketh away. It's actually quite remarkable that 5 of the babies made it as far as they did. The one thing I didn't know is that squirrels would do that. :(
@@redwing8128 They were trying to eat them. Red squirrels, and other squirrels, are omnivorous rodents similar to rats. As such, they will eat eggs, baby birds, and even fledglings. They will also get in fights with adult birds when it comes to establishing territory around their nests; mostly, to keep other birds from building nests around them.
@@redwing8128 Red squirrels are VERY aggressive and eat eggs, fledglings, and even the babies/young of their own kind...I know, gross! Whereas Grey and Black squirrels are more opportunistic and will eat eggs and fledglings out of a nest box or maybe an already dead bird they might find. Grey and Black squirrels are more likely to cache nuts and seeds. The red squirrels around my yard will attack birds on my feeders and even Grey and Black squirrels eating on the ground below the feeders and chase them off. They are very fast. We have to shoot them because they get so over populated and are a complete menace! They act like they're, no pun intended, nuts!
@@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane here I thought squirrels were not meat-eaters at. Thank you for getting back with me. It was very eye-opening. Have a good day
*Red* squirrels are extremely aggressive and eat eggs, fledglings, and even babies of their own kind! These are the only squirrels I've seen in her videos. Grey and Black squirrels are more opportunistic and will raid defenseless eggs and fledglings in a nest box or may eat a dead bird if they find it, but they are more likely to cache away nuts and seeds.
I just received this response from Lesley that was meant to be for Dawn Piper? I did not have the Dove with the Talon injury. I wanted to be sure the info made it to the destination intended. your fellow bird lover(and nerd)Marilyn Livingston
Too many people think nature is all warm and fluffy, but reality is harsh. They produce excess young because the young are a major food source for other animals. It is both beautiful and ugly. Life is often short in the wild, it's not Disney!
How did Hemozal's nest fail? I ask because there are nests sometimes in my backyard and I like to encourage their success. Also, why do you think the squirrel attacked? Was it to eliminate a future competitor for food? Or maybe it was a mother defending the territory around her nest?
Lesley I do not understand why a squirrel would harm a fledgling. Perhaps they were too close to HER babies/nest? I know you know the answers & I hope you enlighten us! I have blue jays here as well as my fave cardinals. I always listen for them. Thank you for your awesome videos!
Those are *Red* squirrels in that area...unfortunately they will eat eggs, fledglings and even the young of their own kind. They are extremely aggressive! Grey and Black squirrels are more opportunistic and will raid defenseless eggs and fledglings in a nest box or eat an already dead bird, but are much more likely to cache nuts and seeds away.
@@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane WOW that is unreal. We only have fox squirrels here in my area in Texas. There are tons of acorns & pecans here- & they love the sunflower seeds that I throw out for my cardinals. : / I have never known them to go after eggs/fledglings since they have a lot of food options here. I do worry about cats & hawks but so far I've only lost one blue jay fledgling- he fell into our pool. :( The mom or dad kept looking for it too & I was so sad.
@@lnghrnfn Awe, that's so sad about the baby jay. =( I have seen our Grey squirrels try to get into our Bluebird house once so we right away put one of those black metal cones on the pole and haven't had a problem since. We are also surrounded by oak trees, but like I said, they are opportunistic, and if they think they can get an easy meal out of a nest/nest box, they will. Those Red squirrels are the absolute worst in our area and far outnumber the Grey and Black squirrels. We also have the occasional problem with cats... I wish people would keep them indoors... for song bird safety and the cat's own safety, but, what are you going to do?... people are dumb.
I so enjoy your videos Lesley! So sorry you had to go through that. It was better to leave and let nature do its thing...although so hard. I would have gone back and then regretted it. Loved the close-up of the ruby crowned kinglet. We have just had the golden crowned kinglets return to my area. They will hang around most of the winter in the woods and I always look for them with the chickadees. I am in southern Ontario. Also wanted to ask if you have ever taken part in Project Feeder Watch? This is my second year doing it. It goes from Nov. 9 to April 3. I count birds at my feeder and report the species numbers. It is run by Bird Studies Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. If you are interested, here's the link: feederwatch.org Thanks for sharing your lovely bird friends 😊 Dee
Lesley, please don’t believe that the Jays thought you did it. They were just venting their anger at the nearest living being. I was good friends with an Osprey but inadvertently caused crows to attack and kill his mate. We both knew I was responsible but for the next few days he attacked every bird that flew by. We shared the sorrow but our friendship was not harmed.
Yesterday a small hawk grabbed a dove right in front of me. I know it is nature but it was hard to watch. The hawk got bombarded by the crows and since the dove and he were nearly the same size, he had difficulty carrying the dove off totally surrounded by dozens of crows.
probably tried to toss food to the baby Jays and in doing so attracted the squirrels to their safe area. nature is always smarter. the butterfly effect is always in effect. good choice to leave them alone after that. I've harmed more animals in trying to help than I have done them good. I've had to learn the hard way. on the bright side I've learned that squirrels will harm birds, I don't know that before watch g this so thank you for enlightening us 👍🏼
I'm sorry, but I am just to tired now to finish this. I know how nature works, but I do not want to watch this now. Bless your heart for having to watch that. I am not asking you to not vlog the horror of nature right along side the beauty. I'm just not in a place to watch the rest for now. I will revisit it when I am capable of knowing it. I do admire your work so very much, and I love your Jays. Blessed be. J in Oregon
I saw a bit of drama yesterday morning on my bike ride concerning a couple of crows and a baby bird in one of the crow's clutches! One crow was apparently trying to take the baby bird from the crow that had it and a bluejay was going after the crow with the baby. I can only assume it was a baby bluejay but when the crow skedaddled it dropped the baby and I picked it up to protect it from either of the two crows. But the baby did not look like a bluejay! Its breast feathers were light gray and fluffy and I did not examine the rest of its plumage. My main aim was to protect it from the crows and I biked on for about 100 yards or so and then dropped the baby at the base of a tree. Hopefully it was able to fly or made it to safety somehow from those darned crows! Crows love to eat baby birds. I saved a duckling once from a gang of crows trying to devour it and returned it to the pond its mother was floating on safely from the clutched of the crows.
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I feel your pain, Lesley. This spring my Robin's nest was attacked by an Owl in the middle of the night. I'm not a morning person so I was still up when I heard the commotion. I immediately ran out and brought the remaining three babies inside the garage because as you well know, the Owl would be back later to collect them if I had not interfered. I had all the necessary equipment on hand, including the nest and proceeded over the next two weeks to raise them to the point where they could fly short distances and NOT stay on the ground, open to attack by any ground or air predator. I set them free and they were almost immediately joined by one of the parents (I had kept them at the garage entrance, where the parents could see and hear them). They enjoyed themselves in a large Cottonwood tree in my back yard all afternoon and by the next morning had made off together to the backwoods safely. I know you may not agree with my stance of not letting nature take it's course but that's just the way I'm wired. I have done this many times with different bird species and am proud of my success rate. I do not, however, take in birds that have already fledged unless they have been hurt by a predator or vehicle. I am lucky to live near a specialist in the next town over and bring them to her when I feel I'm unqualified to care for them. I get the sense that you do not have that luxury where you live and so must let things go, however difficult it must be. I only hope you can appreciate my contribution to the birds. I know I appreciate yours. A gift that I do not have, with no video ability to boot. Keep up your great work! I will keep watching!
So sorry about the baby Jay's and Webster. Birds are so beautiful and innocent, I have a hard time reconciling the fact that being in these birds lives also means seeing some of the bad times too. Stay strong fellow bird nerd.
I think it’s so beautiful that your blue jays feel so comfortable around you that they can relax and sun themselves. I always feel like it’s a gift from an animal that they allow me in at a moment they would normally keep hidden for their own safety.
My heart goes out to you. I would have had a stroke watching that. Poor little things.
Squirrels are the bane of my existence. They eat all the bird food, they pee and poop anywhere and everywhere (right in the food, no less). Its like they get enough food, why do they need to go after the babies?
Then one day there was a little squirrel with a broken paw and the worst case of mange I ever saw. All the other squirrels (like 16 of them in my one little yard!) chased him and kept him from the peanuts. I felt bad for him, so I only gave peanuts only to him. He never begs or demands peanuts like the other squirrels, he waits patiently for the leftovers. Finally he got so much better - even the paw! Amazing to see what 2 weeks of peanuts and better nutrition can do. Now he chases away the other bad mannered squirrels, and he is still polite and unassuming. I guess all squirrels aren't so bad! They still aggravate the Jays to the point of Making them do the alarm calling.
Oh, dear Lesley, my heart goes out to you. I can only imagine how hard it was for you on so many levels. You did do the best you could under the circumstances and it's a shame you had to witness the moment. I didn't know squirrels attack baby jays; why would they do that? I apologize for my ignorance.
I am glad you shared this with us. It is part of your experience, and part of the reality of really noticing and connecting with nature; the joys outweigh the sad moments for sure, but heartbreaking moments do exist and honouring the sorrow we feel for the wee critters we've come to love is important. I appreciate your taking the time to make this, it must've been hard even putting the video together I imagine.
Those baby jays though were SO darn cute snoozing and sleeping; they stole my heart. I am glad that your relationship with Blue and Sweet Girl wasn't ruined. And good thinking... wait until the little ones are a bit older and less vulnerable - our tender hearts can't handle pain, especially when we can't do anything about it.
Sending you a huge hug from your fellow bird nerd.
I just read the other day that squirrels are omnivores and will eat baby birds, frogs, insects etc. I had no idea, I thought they just ate seeds and nuts and spent their time masterminding how to get into every bird feeder there is.
They were more than likely *Red* squirrels, not grey. Reds are the only ones I've seen on her videos. Red squirrels are very aggressive; grey squirrels are more opportunistic... like eating helpless eggs or fledglings in a nest box, or finding a dead bird and eating it. Red squirrels will even eat the young of their own species ... they're psychos!
Chipmunks are the same. There’s a video of a robins nest being attacked by one. They look cute but they’re omnivores and will eat anything.
I too had no clue. We have ground squirrels and the day I saw one had a sparrow in it's mouth I about freaked! The circle of life. Just didn't want to witness it 😕 Sorry Lesley 😯 My heart hurts for you.
@Kaliopi Nikitas -Coaching. Very well said.
Nice video again
After living with a wildlife rehaber for many years, I seen sad stories, heart breaking stories and really good feeling stories of the cruelity of nature. For thirty years my darling wife ran Eagle Bay Wildlife Rehab. Ten years around Los Angeles Calif. and twenty with me in the UP of Mich. Here is one of many happy ending stories.
One of our neighbors once brought over a Cedar Waxwind baby with hardly a feather on it. Had fallen out of the nest on the edge of our property, twenty yards away from our house and thirty feet in the tree. She fed that baby and took care of it until it was looking like it was going to fledge any day. She put the bird cage out on the deck and the little one started tweeting and loving the outdoors. Within a few minutes, an adult Wax wing came down from the tree, where the little one fell from and started to feed it. My wife walked out, opened the cage, the little one flew a few feet over to the railing on the deck, the adult came back and started feeding it again. They flew off together. Happy ending. We had so many happy endings that they out numbered the ones we lost. From black bear to hummingbirds, my wife has rehabbed most. Really enjoy your bird videos and wish you well.
You're videos are both fascinating and emotional. I appreciate them. This upcoming winter will be my first observing birds during the cold season. I am curious to observe who stays and who migrates. My hummingbirds are already gone, but I keep the nectar feeder up with fresh nectar in case one or two are still hanging around. I find observing the various birds fascinating. Thank you for your videos.
Hugs for Leslie and peanuts for the Jay's♥️🦇👋
Oh Lesley!! Thank you! Your commentary is spare and focused. The music is just right! What a sweet respite from the national and international lunatic news. My deepest thanks. Susan from So California. 💗
I'm glad you shared the story of the fledglings. Nature is sometimes tough for us humans to watch, but death is a part of life. If you loved red squirrels rather than birds, you may have focused on that squirrel's nest... maybe he has starving babies at home. Nature is so difficult for us to comprehend! As always, thank you so much for your beautiful footage and narration.
Thank you for sharing the sad moments in nature. It is bittersweet and at many times when we become very attached to these beautiful critters, we see what really happens in the wild. I have seen many beautiful creatures in nature and ones dying is to feed another...and ends up being very heartbreaking to us humans. I try to get past it all too. Take care and Bird on!! 🐦🐤🕊💕🤔
It’s not hard to see God in His creations. Thank you 😊 for the blessings.
Thank you for opening your heartfelt emotions?
I know how you feel it is sad to see babies not making it we had 5 fledgling chickadee siblings that liked to stick around in our yard (lots of plant cover available food and water can't blame them) sadly a Hawk got one of them then a few months later it happened again. The other three are still around but it hurts knowing their siblings weren't able to make it. T_T
I am sorry Leslie!!! I learned the Hard way last spring with 2 baby cardinals. It got me so sad/depressed, then beat myself up for not being able to save them. After that experience, I said never again follow the fletchings. Heartbreaking what happened to those two jays!!! :(
I frequently laugh at the aggressive nature of red squirrels I see, and make fun of them- barking back at them. I've never thought about their interaction with other animals, I had no idea. Thank you for sharing this aptly named bittersweet journey. Lovely birds and lovely plants, thank you.
I didn't know squirrels attack fledglings like that- I only thought they could damage eggs. Darn things.
Regardless, another awesome video, Leslie~ please do take care of yourself. We appreciate the vids but it's important you stay in good spirits too!
Probably *Red* squirrels
@@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane should be called bloodsquirrels
maybe she should keep a weasel they only eat brain protein of small mammals and rodents, i think it ignores birds their brain is too small
Rodents are a lot more vicious than we think. They all have wicked teeth and most of them behave like complete cutthroats. Most of them are like different varieties of rats. Squirrels are tree rats.
You represent everything good in life. Keep up the great work. God Bless You
We let them into our hearts and they bring us so much joy. Death is a part of nature too. They'll be remembered because you shared their story. ♡♡
So sad about the babies. Squirrels can be mean. I have seen this for myself. What a treat to see them sunning! So now I know whose on my shirt. That's an awesome picture of Blue and Sweet Girl! 💙🖤💙🖤😊
Sheila
A Blue Jay Garrick is suntan. Never even crossed my mind. Fascinating! Thank you Leslie for all your videos they are so I opening
Hi Lesley,
How heart-breaking that must have been for you. Many years ago I got attached to a family of swallows. The babies were still in the nest and one day along came a crow and, well, you can probably guess the rest. It was very traumatic to witness. I reacted fast to try to scare the crow but it wasn't fast enough. Don't blame yourself. To this day, I still dislike crows for this reason alone. Yet I know it's nature - survival of the fittest, etc. Poor Blue and Sweet Girl. They are such good parents.
- Alli
you have a very tender heart! I get you would be negative about crows after what you witnessed! That's awful! I'm so sorry you had to see that sad scene!
I witnessed a hawk do the same to a nest of crow nestlings....Crows mate for life and love their families and they stay together sometimes their whole lives.
It's because of Lesley's educational vid where she gave 5 reasons to Like/Love Crows .
It's for those things (wildlife cycles etc)
I love Crows.
But I still get you.
It's very tough to see your bird friends get killed!😞
@@marilynlivingston3462 Yes, that was a long time ago but it stuck with me a long time. I realize now that it's just the way of nature - cruel though it may seem at times. The crow was "surviving", just like all of God's creatures do. Everything living has to eat. Although it breaks my heart to see any defenceless creature suffer at the hands of something else. I have no doubt I'd feel the same way witnessing baby crows being torn apart. 😣
Hi Alli ,
you have a huge heart❤.
I struggle with the same things!
@@Alli_Sea Nope, I don't allow Crows to be anywhere near our area. I don't like them, and the nasty things will never be welcome. I swear the other birds we feed know this too!
Nice
Ever so sweet gotta love little baby birds 💗
It's so heart wrenching to watch squirrels go after birds, especially fledglings like these precious Blue Jays. I'm fortunate this year because my overabundant squirrel population has greatly diminished. I save a lot on peanuts now. I'm not certain why the population decreased. Perhaps birds of prey like hawks and owls, or maybe coyotes. I can only surmise. I don't have anything against any wild animals, but Nature does have a way of keeping her things in check. I hope your leg and hip are greatly improved Lesley. ❤
I just love your videos, who knew I would become a bird guy. Growing up my nickname was Jaybird as my name is Jay. Some still call me this even at 57 years old. My mom called me that all the time and sense her passing six years ago it warms my heart to hear people still call me that. I too feed my Jay’s around here, about ten of them. I can’t wait to get as close to them like you do. I know that will take years no doubt. But I enjoy them so much. Your calming voice on your videos with your music selection along with your VERY BEAUTIFUL photography takes me so back to relaxation, it reminds me of sitting in kindergarten in a circle while the teacher would read books to us with such expression. Thank You. Please keep doing these videos.
Wow! Thank you so much and thank you for sharing such a sweet story.
Take care Jay Bird
❤️❤️❤️
Thanks so much for these awesome videos! I know u work hard to get all this recorded and I really appreciate your work! 🥰👍
Knowing what life is ...reality is sometimes we must do to mature into responsible adults...then and only then can we nuture and protect those who need us in their weak and frightened moments...Happy Birding..🙏❤️🪺🦋🐦🐦⬛
I too, am tender hearted. I didn’t know squirrels would attack birds. Hang in there. It is such a blessing to experience your relationship with these beautiful creatures.
I'm so sorry. I think your actions and choices were best. And waiting till those wee ones are older makes a very great deal of sense. You live with these bird folk afterall. They're like an extended family. Take good care!
Such sweet little things. I had a similar experience with nestlings of a Mourning Dove family on my patio. I watched them hatch and grow, only to be devoured by some Scrub Jays from a nearby canyon. Sad, but nature always wins.
I know how you feel, Lesley about hating the animal that hurts something you have grown to love. For me, I am protective of my squirrels, birds, chipmunks and rabbits that come to my back yard for the food I put out for them. I have seen hawks in the sky and even saw one perched on my fence the other day. I am as protective as any mother would be toward the animals I have grown to love. It is indeed bittersweet. I also watch a youtube bird rescue channel about owls, hawks, and eagles that are found on the side of the road almost dead because they are starving to death. That breaks my heart as well. Some go to the rehab center but die anyway. I have cried tears of anguish over some of those videos. Falling in love with animals and birds that you get to know can be quite painful when nature acts as it does. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and those beautiful birds.
What a beautiful soul....Thank you
Oh Lesley...how horrible to have witnessed that tragedy. My heart goes out to you. I think most of us who follow you can feel the emotions you were feeling. Years ago we had a hummer nest outside our window with 2 little ones that had just hatched. Our family was thrilled that we were going to watch them grow up. However, one evening when we were eating dinner, a Scrub Jay landed on the nest & quickly devoured both baby hummers. It was gut-wrenching. But, I still love my Scrubs & feed them all the time. Nature can be cruel. Thank you for sharing you beautiful video & may you find peace in your heart. Sending love from SoCAL. ♥
sunbathing jays so nice! I also didn't know they can catch peanuts throwed at them. precious channel!
I wish I knew how you developed such a relationship with these birds. All the best
It was beautiful to see the baby jays together. Sorry to hear of the unfortunate outcome : ( You do show us some extraordinary and interesting videos . I loved the part where they're sunning : )
They and you make me happy too. Thanks again for sharing your passion with us💙
Thank Lesley for all you do!🙏🏻❤️
Thank you. A similar incident just happened to me when a rat attacked a full grown blue jay right in front of me in Central Park. I was very badly shaken. I love being out in nature and realize how I must expand myself to take in its hardship as well as its beauty. This video really helped me. Thank you.
I enjoy having a relationship with my local wildlife but it is heartbreaking sometimes. Later in the morning after watching your video and sympathizing with your experience, I found my local junior bunny on the ground fatally wounded (it looked like it may have been dropped by whatever planned to eat it and it was either paralyzed or had broken limbs). I tried to help but it was terrified of me and would flop away from me if I touched it. It had a round quarter size hole in its hip. S/he was hiding out in my garden for a while during late summer but I discouraged its presence by making it difficult for the bunny to access whatever food or potential food (they love blossoms) that I had. Now I feel bad about that. I had left the gate open and it got in ... Maybe hawk caught the poor guy and just couldn't hang on. I am glad I was there to pray to ease its pain but more than that I could not do ....
Wow! I love all that lichen on the trees! The babies are so cute! It must be terribly difficult and time consuming to go through all your videos and whittle down the choices to fit less than 20 minutes. I hope Nova has forgiven you. I love those slo-mo clips, especially of Lintel's mate. I had no idea that a Squirrel would take a fledgling! How neat that the little one came to you, but so sad that Blue thought you might have hurt the baby and that it was attacked. I feel sure they must have figured out the truth of it. I enjoyed the sunning video with info; that's pretty neat. I am so sorry that you saw two of "your" babies hurt. I hope you don't have to witness anything like that again. Thank you for all you share.
Ouch my heart! It takes real strength to befriend animals. We can't do everything for them even though we want to make everything better. I think it's admirable that you have your heart open to these birds knowing that you are going to hurt for them when they go.
But its worth it isn't it?
Thanks for sharing these diaries. You do all the work and we get such a priceless gift. Its like we get to borrow the trust you have created with them and see the behaviors that would normally require a lot of time and emotional investment.
So many people think birds are mindless seed eaters and that they don't feel like we do. These past few years my wife and I have seen some cruel things done to birds and other animals. The woman we rescued our Quaker from had another bird who we desperately wanted to take. Poor baby was miserable. Lonely, scared, and so full of love to give. By the time we were in a place where we could take her the woman had given the bird to another person who didn't know how to care for birds. Treated the bird like a fish in a fishbowl. Left her in her cage with no social interaction and her companion was with us so she was extra isolated. The guy had cats and didn't secure the cage at all. Poor sweet baby met its end in a horrible way. My wife tears up every time she thinks about how we could've saved her. Then I tear up seeing her tear up. We barely knew this bird but it doesn't matter we still mourn her because thats all we can do now.
We want to start rescuing more birds. We have had so much fun and fulfillment socially rehabilitating our Blue Quaker - Lucatiel that we want to take on more.
Nice to know there are people who care so deeply for these wonderful little beings. After seeing opposite from so many people it really is heartwarming despite the sad story of the baby Jays.
As you said, bittersweet.
Awwwe Lesley you have such a big heart! A heart of pure gold! You really help those birds out and it's so interesting to see the relationships you have with the animals out there. I am super jealous! I wish I could have some relationship with some birds and observe them and be kind to the nature around me. But you're awesome and a true inspiration to bird watchers everywhere! Also poor baby birds getting attacked by squirrels, but why did they attack the babies? More competition? Or maybe there's a war going on between birds and squirrels! 🙀
I WAS FEELING SO HAPPY YOU'D SEEN THE BABIES GROW ENOUGH TO LEAVE THE NEST, THEN SICK TO HEAR THE REST, DIDNT THINK A SQUIRREL WOULD DO THAT, MAYBE A FOX, HAVEN'T WATCHED THE REST YET. 😢💜CAMILLE AUSTRALIA
How did I missed this one 10 months ago? As always perfect, beautiful channel. Consistently affective. I like your style.
You’re such a treasure ♥️
Lesley I feel for you I picked a young dove up on my grass yesterday it had fledged but had a problem lifting off I checked it over and found a talon embedded in its neck I removed it and it's spending the night in my shed in a box I think it was a sparrow hawks dinner that got away or dropped I don't think it will survive but I did my bit and that's what counts. Edit. I did my best but it passed away peacefully thank you all for your lovely comments about this small beautiful important creature
I love hearing about people like you that take the time and love to help. Thankyou! 💙🐦👍
Not sure what you have (or not) in your area but a wildlife rehabilitation center will take injurded birds or small animals in and they have the recourses to help. I brought a sick finch in and there was a very good outcome.
Sweet little Dove.....
Dawn Piper - Thank you very much for trying to help.
Did it make it? You could maybe find a vet that sees songbirds (can be pricey but the bird may only need more rest and possibly antibiotic shot and a topical for its neck,). - Stephanie
@@marilynlivingston3462 - Thank you Marilyn! You have a good heart like Lesley and Dawn and others that help the wildlife. - Stephanie
Lesley, that had to be hard for you. But in the wild like that, these things happen. I have always respected those wildlife researchers that keep the cameras rolling and do not intervene when things take their course. I don't know if I could do it! As it is I will not allow any Crows to be in our area. I don't like the nasty things because of things I have witnessed them do, and as a result they are not allowed. And I swear the other birds we feed seem to know this! It's so funny and amusing to me that I could get so attached to a group of birds like that. So much so that I want to protect them!
Like the rest of us, I am so appreciative of the work you do. Keep a stiff upper lip and carry on!
Wonderful pictures love the story
I love your bird stories... I find them very relaxing and entertaining keep up the good work!... just be you
Hope you can see this... trying to figure out my settings... and oh... take care of that thigh and knee...
Perfect, honest, WONDERFUL reporting! LOVE THIS!!!!!!!
Beautiful video, Leslie! Sorry for your painful experience. Yes, nature is very cruel but one day the lion will lie down with the lamb and babies of all species will be safe from predators. Praise God!
Beautiful bird,i like this so much,thank you for video.
your camera work for the August videos was really good and unique. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for another great video! My heart was saddened as you spoke about the attacks. I would have felt the same way. I'm a new subscriber and I truly love your videos😁
That was heartbreaking, Lesley. We get attached, learn from our experiences, and hopefully it works out better next time. Watching Blue, and Sweetgirl, sun bathing put a smile on my face though. Take care :)
those red squirrels are crazy - they are super aggressive and tear each other to pieces...
wow Lesley,
so traumatic!
It's good you shared this because it does come with your life of sharing your love and life with these beautiful friends. We need to know about this part as well.
BTW...The sunbathing part of this vid is simply adorable! 🌞🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🌞👍
Question:
How much do you feed your friends when you are with them.
I've been feeding wild birds for 6yrs year round and I'm afraid I go a l go overboard at times.
Almost forgot...
as for daddy dive bombing you.....that's a good thing, right? It's in his DNA. He's wired to protect.
I completely get it though. Your heart is so tender Lesley. Sometimes I think I have feathers. I think you may too. Blue feathers 🐦😉💙
I had an experience trying to help as sick Mountain Chickadee.
I didn't know my boundaries and I made matters worse..
This precious, adorable and sick Chickadee trusted me for weeks; coming to me daily, hanging out with me.
Without anymore details....I'm still upset with myself 2 yrs later.
It takes strength to do what you do; to decide to wait until they are grown up.
Our hearts can only take so much.
Question Lesley....
How much do feed your friends when you are with them.
Do you feed more in the winter?
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE EVERY VIDEO!! I love my backyard birds!!💖💕❤️💗
Great footage 👍
Thanks Lesley!
I really enjoyed this one. A few times this spring/summer I've witnessed a red-shouldered hawk preying on fledgling jays in the woods by my house. I'm not usually one to get upset about the circle of life, but to witness all that made me pretty sad. I wish I were a bird whisperer like you ;_;
very sweet video 🥰
It’s a rainy gloomy fall morning. Watching your videos are so soothing and I sympathize with you, watching any injured bird is hard. One of my favorite red-bellied woodpecker was chased from the bird feeder by a Red tail hawk. The woodpecker flew into the side of the house,was temporarily knocked out and laid in my Garden bed below the house. The hawk landed on the rain gutter and was just looking down on my woodpecker. I’m thinking what do I do. The hawk needs to survive and has babies in the walnut tree in the wood behind my house. I didn’t know how badly injured the woodpecker was and if it couldn’t fly I didn’t want the hawk loss out on a much needed catch. What to do? I decided to just watch and see how it all plays out. The hawk sat on my rain gutter for a while but got tired of waiting and flew off. After some time the woodpecker got up and started walking around in the garden bed. Then he just took off.
I was glad for the outcome because I don’t want the hawk to think he’s got a food source at my birdfeeder. Nature unfolding in front of our eyes is a good thing it keeps everything real. Birth, death, old age and disease is all a part of life.
Jays
It's good that you showed the good and the bad together because without bad you couldn't have good and with good you couldn't have bad anyways lots of love and 🐦✨💖🌀🤔🌈
Happy video
I didn’t know squirrels would go after them! Wow! I hope their little scare is a temporary setback.
Lesley - So very sorry about the 2 Baby Jays - having to hear and witness it. 😪
Kind of long -
Baby Jays (as you know) are very noisy when being fed (I once thought they were being attacked outside - parent bird was feeding them. They were fine, (I had bruises on leg and knee hitting furniture as I ran) and I once saved a Blue Jay a bit larger than a fledging - heard God awful noise - worse than the scream of babies being fed, a neighbor's cat had it in its mouth but I managed to scare the cat and make it drop the Jay. I looked it over - had med. that is used in case of cat bite or saliva - no signs of any scratch or injury on it - released it within 10 days and at times still hear its call as it hatched nearby.
What I'm trying to say is although the squirrel had them in its mouth, they were very stressed afterwards and not in the best of balance still being a fledging learning to fly, probably the 2 weakest of the clutch - maybe just need rest. I hope this is the case. Do not give up on them yet.
Blue - could've thought you were in danger and was trying to make you move - it happens in nature if one bird senses or sees danger it will suddenly beak or push on its mate to make it move/get its attention to fly away from danger.
He and Sweet Girl trust you to know you weren't hurting them. I hope they find that squirrel and well... I won't go into the details. Yes squirrels can and will eat eggs, babies, fledglings. If/when you go to that area again, you might be surprised and find the other 2.
Don't give up. Sorry to hear about your injuries and that you heal soon. You need a break - the good kind :) - Stephanie
I think my blue jays are part squirrel. Some or one of them will bury a peanut in the lawn then cover it with a leaf or clump of grass. Then it’s back to the feeder.
Lesley, no need to apologize for the tragedy that sometimes happens in nature. It's unavoidable, and I think it's good for educational purposes for people to see that Mother Nature - She giveth and She taketh away. It's actually quite remarkable that 5 of the babies made it as far as they did. The one thing I didn't know is that squirrels would do that. :(
I had know idea that squirrels would attack Blue Jays
Probably Red squirrels ... that's the only ones I've seen on her videos and the most likely culprits.
@@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane thank you for getting back with me but I was just wondering why would a squirrel Red want to attack a bird
@@redwing8128 They were trying to eat them. Red squirrels, and other squirrels, are omnivorous rodents similar to rats. As such, they will eat eggs, baby birds, and even fledglings. They will also get in fights with adult birds when it comes to establishing territory around their nests; mostly, to keep other birds from building nests around them.
@@redwing8128 Red squirrels are VERY aggressive and eat eggs, fledglings, and even the babies/young of their own kind...I know, gross! Whereas Grey and Black squirrels are more opportunistic and will eat eggs and fledglings out of a nest box or maybe an already dead bird they might find. Grey and Black squirrels are more likely to cache nuts and seeds.
The red squirrels around my yard will attack birds on my feeders and even Grey and Black squirrels eating on the ground below the feeders and chase them off. They are very fast. We have to shoot them because they get so over populated and are a complete menace! They act like they're, no pun intended, nuts!
@@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane here I thought squirrels were not meat-eaters at. Thank you for getting back with me. It was very eye-opening. Have a good day
I’m so sad to hear about the baby jays.
Why are bluejays so wary of squirrels? They don't eat birds do they? Or bird eggs?
*Red* squirrels are extremely aggressive and eat eggs, fledglings, and even babies of their own kind! These are the only squirrels I've seen in her videos.
Grey and Black squirrels are more opportunistic and will raid defenseless eggs and fledglings in a nest box or may eat a dead bird if they find it, but they are more likely to cache away nuts and seeds.
I just received this response from Lesley that was meant to be for Dawn Piper?
I did not have the Dove with the Talon injury. I wanted to be sure the info made it to the destination intended.
your fellow bird lover(and nerd)Marilyn Livingston
Awsome
Too many people think nature is all warm and fluffy, but reality is harsh. They produce excess young because the young are a major food source for other animals. It is both beautiful and ugly. Life is often short in the wild, it's not Disney!
How did Hemozal's nest fail? I ask because there are nests sometimes in my backyard and I like to encourage their success.
Also, why do you think the squirrel attacked? Was it to eliminate a future competitor for food? Or maybe it was a mother defending the territory around her nest?
Lesley I do not understand why a squirrel would harm a fledgling. Perhaps they were too close to HER babies/nest? I know you know the answers & I hope you enlighten us! I have blue jays here as well as my fave cardinals. I always listen for them. Thank you for your awesome videos!
Those are *Red* squirrels in that area...unfortunately they will eat eggs, fledglings and even the young of their own kind. They are extremely aggressive!
Grey and Black squirrels are more opportunistic and will raid defenseless eggs and fledglings in a nest box or eat an already dead bird, but are much more likely to cache nuts and seeds away.
@@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane WOW that is unreal. We only have fox squirrels here in my area in Texas. There are tons of acorns & pecans here- & they love the sunflower seeds that I throw out for my cardinals. : / I have never known them to go after eggs/fledglings since they have a lot of food options here. I do worry about cats & hawks but so far I've only lost one blue jay fledgling- he fell into our pool.
:( The mom or dad kept looking for it too & I was so sad.
@@lnghrnfn Awe, that's so sad about the baby jay. =( I have seen our Grey squirrels try to get into our Bluebird house once so we right away put one of those black metal cones on the pole and haven't had a problem since. We are also surrounded by oak trees, but like I said, they are opportunistic, and if they think they can get an easy meal out of a nest/nest box, they will. Those Red squirrels are the absolute worst in our area and far outnumber the Grey and Black squirrels. We also have the occasional problem with cats... I wish people would keep them indoors... for song bird safety and the cat's own safety, but, what are you going to do?... people are dumb.
I so enjoy your videos Lesley! So sorry you had to go through that. It was better to leave and let nature do its thing...although so hard. I would have gone back and then regretted it. Loved the close-up of the ruby crowned kinglet. We have just had the golden crowned kinglets return to my area. They will hang around most of the winter in the woods and I always look for them with the chickadees. I am in southern Ontario. Also wanted to ask if you have ever taken part in Project Feeder Watch? This is my second year doing it. It goes from Nov. 9 to April 3. I count birds at my feeder and report the species numbers. It is run by Bird Studies Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. If you are interested, here's the link: feederwatch.org Thanks for sharing your lovely bird friends 😊 Dee
Lesley, please don’t believe that the Jays thought you did it. They were just venting their anger at the nearest living being. I was good friends with an Osprey but inadvertently caused crows to attack and kill his mate. We both knew I was responsible but for the next few days he attacked every bird that flew by. We shared the sorrow but our friendship was not harmed.
Your videos are important to me.
Lesley, what happened to Hermosa's nest? You said it failed...how? :(
I’m so sad for the two babies that the squirrels got. 🙁 I didn’t know squirrels would do that, it makes me really not like them!
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Yesterday a small hawk grabbed a dove right in front of me. I know it is nature but it was hard to watch. The hawk got bombarded by the crows and since the dove and he were nearly the same size, he had difficulty carrying the dove off totally surrounded by dozens of crows.
probably tried to toss food to the baby Jays and in doing so attracted the squirrels to their safe area. nature is always smarter. the butterfly effect is always in effect.
good choice to leave them alone after that.
I've harmed more animals in trying to help than I have done them good. I've had to learn the hard way.
on the bright side I've learned that squirrels will harm birds, I don't know that before watch g this so thank you for enlightening us 👍🏼
Sleepy babies
Update: Oh no :(
Where are you filming the footage? It looks like BC
I would have to help the animals. I can’t not do it.
I'm sorry, but I am just to tired now to finish this. I know how nature works, but I do not want to watch this now. Bless your heart for having to watch that. I am not asking you to not vlog the horror of nature right along side the beauty. I'm just not in a place to watch the rest for now. I will revisit it when I am capable of knowing it. I do admire your work so very much, and I love your Jays. Blessed be.
J in Oregon
I saw a bit of drama yesterday morning on my bike ride concerning a couple of crows and a baby bird in one of the crow's clutches! One crow was apparently trying to take the baby bird from the crow that had it and a bluejay was going after the crow with the baby. I can only assume it was a baby bluejay but when the crow skedaddled it dropped the baby and I picked it up to protect it from either of the two crows. But the baby did not look like a bluejay! Its breast feathers were light gray and fluffy and I did not examine the rest of its plumage. My main aim was to protect it from the crows and I biked on for about 100 yards or so and then dropped the baby at the base of a tree. Hopefully it was able to fly or made it to safety somehow from those darned crows! Crows love to eat baby birds. I saved a duckling once from a gang of crows trying to devour it and returned it to the pond its mother was floating on safely from the clutched of the crows.
Oops, was to be a ‘!’☺️
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Are those peanuts raw?
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I think squirrels attach bluejays to protect nest🤔