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Show — SUNNY TIMES - MARCH 1994 - 5 On Castle Valley Birds Western Kingbird— Flycatcher 8"; slate grey back, grey to lemon yellow breast, _ black tail; slender, stream- } 1 . lined look; eats only bugs. all in, consider that these same birds eat Starling p. > ‘ Robin or the bright flash of the yellow and black Oriole, yet these are lovers of sweets. An oriole will even rob your hummingbird feeder. A robin can spot your berry patch one evening, and before you are up the next morning he and all his relatives will have it nearly stripped. But before you go out and do them the tent caterpillars we are plagued 7- 1/2 to 8- 1/2"; relative of Myna; short stubby tail; black with speckles1n winter; whistles “whoeee” but learns to imitate animals; eats mostly bugs and seeds. Meadowlark 9"; chunky brown bird, yellow breast with bold black V like a necktie; clear whistles in many patterns; eats bugs and seeds, mostly on ground. Black Capped Chickadee 4- 3/4 to 5- 1/ ";mainly a winter bird here. Remember /that on cold mornings they must eat a substantial amount of weed seeds. The Junco is similar in size and looks, but has black head and body with gray breast. House Finch, also called Fruit Bird; with, where most birds don’t The little Kestrel or Sparrow Hawk is familiar to most There are several in the valley. One can usually be seen near Shafer Lane. And there are some of the larger hawks—the Red— tailed and the Marsh hawk. They will take a baby chick if the chance arises. The summer always brings other birds: Bluebirds, Grosbeaks, different kinds of tiny Finches, and many that I don't know. I know birds are a problem with the fruit. I can’t give you a formula to keep them out of it, but I wonder about the wisdom of shooting them, not only because of dangers it creates but because when you consider how many weed seeds and bugs they have to eat to stay alive, they become an asset also— maybe more asset than problem. I personally think the kingbirds and meadowlarks are worth their weight in gold. And I’m on a first name basis with a meadowlark who scolds‘‘chup, chup, 5"; male has reddish chup, chrrrrrr” when I go out to weed head and throat; female looks much like sparrow but slightly slimmer; loves fruit but eats a lot of weed seeds, especially all winter. or rake. I tell him it’s all right He cocks his head to listen and then sings “I’m glad to see you again.” Honest! v—Gwen Martineau Choosy About Your Neighbors? Then Choose Your Neighbors Spring is just around the corner and the FOR SALE signs are sprouting up along with the cheat grass. Do you wonder who will buy the lot on your street? Do you wonder what kind of a dwelling they will put on it? How will they take care of the land? Will they be active members of the community? Will they love and cherish this special valley the way you do? The answer to these qdéstionsis unknown, if the buyerIS unknown. So what can you do about it? You can actively encourage your friends and relatives to settle here. If they have visited you and envy you your life in , this beautiful place, then they are prime candidates for neighbors. You can watch the papers for ads, contact local Realtors for listings, and tune into the grapevine in Castle Valley. If you hear of something for sale, call someone you feel would be a good neighbor and encourage them to look at the property. If you have land for sale, take the time to look for a neighborly buyer. Let’s face it, Castle Valley Ranchos is a subdivision, and in time most five-acre parcels will have a home on them. Who is in that home will determine the direction our town will go. So isn’t it worth taking the time to choose your own neighbors rather than complain that those who come don‘t always seem to share your love and concern for this special place? ——Maria Loe Magpie 17 to 22-1/2”; national bird CASTLE VALLEY iii-’33! COUNTRY STORE/,c/ of Scotland; a scavenger eating almost anything. mfresh-baked Whole wheat bread «Vo/ nuts. beans, seasonings ) l t1} pastas flour. cereals fruits, vegetables. & MORE Cowbird 7",black-brown head, females are {{5\\ ORDER IN BULK QUANTITIES AND SAVE 50/0 . ~ ' " blackbirds; lays its eggsin' i. . other birds’ nests. Nearly all of us are glad to recognize the sturdy, fat, redbreasted Mondays and Thursdays 2:30 to 8 p.m. Phone 259—5906, Molly Jensen (ON THE CASTLE VALLEY ACADEMY CAMPUS) |