Originally Posted by chowlover2

I see them, how exciting, I wonder when they wil hatch.

Two hatched, two still in eggs. Not sure where #5 went.

I know it is the way of nature and all, but my mom has a house wren who she suspects of killing the hatchlings of a chickadee family. She had seen the chickadees build the nest, engage in courting behaviour, feed the chicks, and then one day there was a house wren clearing out all the house (it is a gourd made into a bird house). My mom was devastated, but of course, what can you do?

While I am sure this isn't the most mature thing, my mom simply removed the gourd from the tree. It was only filled with coarse sticks - a placeholder, if you will, for the wrens to choose from when they choose where to nest. She figured she would rather have no birds at all living in it now that the chickadees she loved were gone.

So despite it being natural and all that, does anyone know of a way to keep house wrens away? They kill bluebirds, too, and while I have been lucky that the bluebirds are living in my bluebird house and seem to be thriving, I also have a house wrent who has moved into a house near my porch. I don't mind the wren provided that she doesn't hurt other birds, but their reputation preceeds them. Is there any way to protect other birds from the wrens?

Hello everyone!

I bought Foxglove flower plant last month from Home Depot.I planted it in a huge plant barrel. But as I was browsing through Pinterest, someone posted a picture of it and one commented that it's poisonous.

Should I get rid of it? Why would Home Depot sell it if it's poisonous?

Quote:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digitalis

Originally Posted by dizizit

Hello everyone! I bought Foxglove flower plant last month from Home Depot.I planted it in a huge plant barrel. But as I was browsing through Pinterest, someone posted a picture of it and one commented that it's poisonous. Should I get rid of it? Why would Home Depot sell it if it's poisonous?

I never know that foxglove is poisonous. I always have them every year growing in my garden. I think you're safe if you don't consume them lol Just wash your hands if you have touched them and you'll be fine. They're such beautiful flowers.

You might be surprised how many common plants are poisonous.

Thanks!
I'm just worried because I have a little one who loves the outdoors lol

Originally Posted by dizizit

Thanks! I'm just worried because I have a little one who loves the outdoors lol

Foxglove is where digitalis comes from, heart medicine. I think you should be fine.

Birds are gone, nest is empty. I have no idea what happened because I saw them there yesterday. They were just barely able to hold their heads up, so there is no way they flew off.

It's been hot and dry, so maybe they just didn't make it and the Mom took them away. I don't see any signs of any other kind of critter getting to the nest, but I suppose it's possible.


On the flip side, I was clearing some weeds and a cat jumped out. Further inspection showed about 4 or 5 kittens probably a couple of weeks (or less) old. Not my cat at all, probably a stray. Momma's not real friendly, so I don't know if I want to handle the kittens since it might make her turn away from them.


I don't think Momma cat got to the bird's nest, but who knows.

Such is life in the country.

I have been placing some great solar lighting around the yard and what a huge improvement it has made. At night the kids like to swim and there is only the pool light and two lights on the top patio by the house so there is never enought light to see. I did solar light strings on two fences that surround the pool area. Two small spotlights that light up the walk on each side of the pool. Added 4 stepping stones in the rock garden along the side patio walk along the pool and a few ground lights in planters on the steps. I also ordered a few more things which I hope to get this week. I am so happy to see how pretty the yard looks. It has a slight magical feel with the string lights on the fence. Also helps in seeing if we have animals in the yard, we get racoons and even a stray skunk. The yard behind us is at a triangle shape so it backs into ours with trees and is pitch black. The neighbors on the side of us don't have lights either, so it is nice to feel like you can see when you go outside and won't trip up and down the stairs.