Rose Cottage Ltd

I don’t think the lake is large enough for the “6 Geese A-Laying” mentioned in the Christmas carol – but there seems to be room for three!

There was a successful nest in this first location last year so I’m not surprised they’re back this season.

The only problem is that this spot is just to the left of the path leading around the lake. The male goose (gander) is very protective of his mate on the nest so if I don’t want to be chased – I’ll need to swing a wider path away from the nest – most particularly when I am walking the dog, Cato. This is his first year here during “nesting” season and I’ll need to work hard to make sure there are no incidents.

The second nest is “Daisy’s” at the back of the house. She’s an expert at that thing realtors say is most important, “location, location, location.”

She picked this spot off the lake which is maybe less convenient for her needs, but keeps her – and the nest – further away from the other dozen or so geese frequenting the lake.

This spot is being used for the 3rd year so “Mother” really must know best!

The third nest is my biggest problem. As you can see from the image, the nest is just to the right of the path. The male protecting this nest has decided that most of this side of the lake is HIS property!

I tried to have a conversation with him yesterday to inform him that his name is NOT on the property’s mortgage and that I can walk where I want to walk but I’m not sure he got my meaning!

I did get a bit of jump on this one though…while noticing about 45 days ago that these two geese were hanging around this area, I cut back and then raked a path about 10 feet higher up and away from the lake. So although he will hiss at me as Cato and I pass through – I don’t think he feels too threatened by our presence.

After checking my calendar from last year, it looks like the geese went on their nests full-time about 2 weeks later than in 2012. This should mean goslings will hatch on or just before 1 May 2013.

“Daisy” has been on her nest nearly 24/7 for the past week. I got a quick glimpse yesterday and there are 3 eggs in her nest. Last year she ended up with 6 goslings so it looks like she’s about half-way through her “processing” for this season.

She seems to have appreciated my “home-building” assistance by my giving her ready access to some straw for her nest. She’s made good use of it!

A REAL “bear hug”!

Birds are in fast-food mode this time of year – trying to get ready to survive winter months means eating as much as they can – while they can get it. My bird feeders are actually less busy at the moment while there are alternatives such as bugs and worms still available – but that won’t last much longer.

Here are some ideas for backyard feeders and other feed solutions that will help your smallest feathered friends survive the coming winter. The last few days of cool temperatures in some areas may mean Hummingbirds have headed south for the winter so think about bringing those feeders in soon.

Sunflower Seed Wreath

Contains Sunflower Hearts and Black Oil Sunflower Seed.

3 pounds.

Cardinal Delight Wreath

Hearty bird-edible wreaths -each made with the freshest seeds and Duncraft’s exclusive blends.

Each is trimmed with a red raffia bow and hangs from a jute hanger.

7 x 2 inches thick.

Eco-Strong Seed Block Feeder

Protect whole peanuts, suet, and seed blocks from weather! Fill with bird seed blocks or suet blocks.

Small birds can cling anywhere on the mesh sides. The overhanging roof discourages starlings and house sparrows that find clinging to the mesh a difficult position to manage.

Constructed of recycled plastic with a wood-grain finish.

10″ wire cable hanger. Feeder measures 5-1/2 x 9-1/4 x 10-1/2″ tall.

Duncraft Wild Bird Superstore has hundreds of products – all for the birds!

++ Win $250 Duncraft Shopping Spree – Enter at duncraft.com.
++ Shop the new fall catalog arrivals at duncraft.com.
++ Give a Duncraft eGift Certificate. Arrives Quickly! Always Perfect!

Or should I say “Goose Spa.”

With water levels so low in Central North Carolina, I believe these geese enjoy the refreshing spray from the fountain.

You can also notice at the top of this image, that the beginning of “leaf peeping” season must be upon us – leaves here are beginning to change color. I was in Asheville, North Carolina last week and noticed quite a few spots of “Fall Color” while there.

It won’t be long now before the slogan for the days will be “Let the Raking Begin!”

Busy times for those who like and appreciate the outdoors and coming up is a nice, long weekend to enjoy it! Please take a moment to remember all those who have and do sacrifice for the sake of the citizens of the United States.

Here are a few photos from the last week to get you into the “outdoors” frame of mind. The first two thanks to my sister – who is just as wacky as I am about nature and wildlife. Just goes to show you – there are “photo ops” everywhere…

This bug was spotted leaving the birdbath. His identity is as yet unknown. I’ve noticed that as the weather gets warmer, other bugs – some very beneficial to the environment – will stop by a local birdbath for a drink of fresh water. If you start a birdbath in your yard, please keep it fresh and clean during warm weather months. Birds, (and others) will learn they can depend on this source of water to be there for them.

Here’s a image I hope most of you will be able to see outside for the coming holiday weekend. If you’re in luck, bright blue skies and warm temperatures, without too much heat and humidity, will be available.

I’ll be home this weekend – no doubt tending the goose “drive-in window.” I have to wonder if this particular adult goose has figured out pretty quickly that tapping on that window is almost guaranteed to get my attention. She’s now showing the “children” how it is done!

Think human babies grow quickly? The lake’s 2012 model goslings have returned for a visit. One group is now 3 weeks old, the other, 4 weeks old. Major changes happen to them at this time of their life.

For a recap…otherwise known as the never-ending “Rose Cottage Goose Chronicles”!

Here is the group of 6 born on their lake nest April 18, 2012. By the time this picture was taken on April 19th, one had already gone missing. You’ll see them again in the third picture. 4 of the original 6 goslings remain.

Two Days Old

The 3 week old group left for their normal two-week or so walkabout with 4 goslings and returned with only 3. This is a better percentage than last year when the group born on the lake originally had 5 goslings and by the 2 month point, were down to one lone gosling.

Three weeks old.

The second group shown below is at the 4 weeks old stage and you can see massive differences between them and those shown above. This group left with 5 geese and returned with 4.

Four weeks old

There are some trying times left for them – turtles, snakes, foxes, and I hear rumors of coyotes and bobcats in the vicinity. Fingers crossed.

And here is Rose Cottage Ltd’s “blue” visitor for the week!

Sorry the picture isn’t better but this little one chose a dreary, rainy morning to visit!

More blues-of-the-week…

Every year, once the geese nesting on the lake leave the nest with their goslings, thoughts turn to “monster” snapping turtles living in the property’s lake. I see them surfacing down at the deep end of the lake and their shells look like garbage can lids in size!

You can read about the first turtle experience here, about what these turtles will happily eat, and why I am at all concerned about moving them out of my lake here.

Today’s episode started with realizing a turtle was in the trap:

Now that he, or she, is in, how to get it out? The turtle has a shell with sharp edges and also has some rather talon-like claws that do tend to get caught in the net.

About 10 minutes later, we almost have the turtle free of the “ties that bind.” The turtle will go into this 30-gallon trashcan for its journey to a larger body of water.

Here’s a little look at size for this particular catch. The human hands seen in the picture above are of an adult male. The trashcan is a 30-gallon size. Estimated weight of this turtle is around 25 lbs so this is a much smaller turtle than the first we removed from the lake in 2008.

If you need to buy a turtle trap, a link to our turtle trap source is in the earlier post. If you’re going to trap and remove a turtle from your lake or pond, please be careful…you could easily lose a finger or toe otherwise. Also please do not transport a turtle to another private lake – you’ll only be creating problems for others.

I noticed that one of the lake’s two nesting geese seemed to be fidgeting on her nest this morning. She also didn’t take her evening fly-around and walkabout last night.

Now I know why…

There is at least one yellow gosling out of its egg and moving around you can just barely see. Since there were six eggs on this nest last time I got a quick look, this Mother Goose will be busy for the next few days – and no doubt doing a LOT more fidgeting!

After temperatures in the mid-80s yesterday, today’s overcast and breezy temps can’t seem to get beyond the 60s. I think this goose will be keeping her goslings “under wrap” as it were, until all are hatched and the temperatures get a bit warmer.

I’ll take some updated pictures as soon as the “Paparazzi” are allowed!