The Birds of Smallwood & Sullivan County, New York

Cedar Waxwing

Summer in Sullivan County is abundant with the beauty of wildflower meadows, lush green rolling hills, farmlands, forests, and of course, many beautiful birds. In fact, the Sullivan County Audubon Society says "Sullivan County is one of New York State's birdiest counties." The Audubon Society reports that in one year there were 129 species of birds sighted just in the Township of Bethel, home to the lovely community of Smallwood. Other Towns in Sullivan County report impressive bird sightings as well. You can view details and photos at http://www.sullivanaudubon.org/. So how about spending and hour or a day talking a nature walk, or sitting quietly by a lake or under a tree and keeping an eye out for the birds. How do you keep them around. Do what we do. Talk with the birds. Try quiet clicking sounds with your tongue against your palette, or whistles, or maybe even a squawk.

The Sullivan County Bald Eagle population in the mid-1970's was estimated to be "two." That's right "2." However, in 1990 New York State purchased 12,000 acres in Sullivan County and created one of the largest bald eagle preserves in the country. The word about the preserve is out because the winter bald eagle population of Sullivan County swells to about 100. Most of these eagles are 'snowbirds' and return to their homes in February and March. But there are still bald eagle watching opportunities throughout the year in Sullivan County and nearby. For more information, you can visit www.catskillhikes.com/eagles.html.

Visit us again for more travel and tourism and talking with birds. If you have a bird photo you would like us to post at http://www.talkingwithbirds.blogspot.com/, send an email to talkingwithbirds@yahoo.com.

Don't forget to click on the "comments" link below this article to share your thoughts with us and our readers. See ya soon!

Unspoiling our Bird - Part Two - Going Mobile

In Part 1 of this series, we described the large and luxurious new home base cage we set up for Mr. Spock to begin the unspoiling process.

The next step toward unspoiling Mr. Spock, our 25 year-old controlling cherry-head conure, was to purchase a new "playpen" for him so that he can have familiar comfortable surroundings wherever he goes in our home. He already has a "play area" in our office, but the new "mobile" addition gives him more options. It has a ladder, swinging toys, a high perch, low perch, food and water dishes, etc.

So, right about now you may be asking "exactly how is this unspoiling our precious parrot." I'm kind of questioning it myself. (Just kidding.) Actually, it's working. This is all part of our master plan to be able to have Spock close by whenever he starts feeling restless. Even though his cage is wide open when we are home, he does get restless from time to time. That's when the spoiled brat-bird in him starts to rear it's un-pretty head. The screeching begins. Sometimes he is letting us know he doesn't want to be alone while we are in another room. Other times, he may want some of what we are cooking or eating, or might want a light out or a light on, etc.

So, now that we have a mobile playpen for him. This has served to quiet the pesky parrot every time. It has cut out on a lot of screaming matches between us and him. And...since screaming is our bird's specialty, he is usually the winner of any Call of the Wild match. So now our little talks with Mr. Spock are more conducive to harmony in our home.

So, we highly recommend mobile playpens.

Unspoiling Our Bird - Part One - The first day home

Hello All,
It's been about a week since the last post because our extra focus and efforts have been on the "unspoiling of Mr. Spock." It began when our 25 year-old, cherry-head conure returned home from the hospital last week after a 14 day stay. The first phase of his hospital stay was for acute care, then it was more like in-patient rehab for the rest of our pretty little parrot's stay.

Over time, we have come to realize that Spock has been running our household, setting his rules, creating the schedules, telling us what to do, and so on. So we thought his homecoming would be a good starting point for us to begin on an even footing with him. Thus the beginning of "Unspoiling Our Bird." We had a plan would talk it over with Spock.

He arrived home to find a very large new cage, as opposed to the large previous cage. Bunches of new and interesting toys. A few of his new toys were just fresh new replacements of the identical toy that he had been playing with and demolishing for a long time. He adapted to the new cage and it's new location very quickly. We thought that it would be an easier adjustment for him to come home to everything new after the two weeks in the incubator at Backos Bird Clinic in Deerfield Beach, rather then just making the switch while he still called the old cage "home." Now, mind you, Mr. Spock is not confined to his cage too often. In fact, he has significantly more "open door" time than he does "locked door" time. It's his choice to be inside or out.

So, a recap so far of how we are unspoiling our cheery cherry-head conure: Big New Cage ! Lots of New and Fun Toys! Moving furniture around to create the perfect aviary space for him. Access in and out whenever he wants. Hmmmm....maybe we need to take a better look at this plan. But seriously, there is a plan. Tune in again to http://www.talkingwithbirds.blogspot.com/ for Part Two in the series "Unspoiling Our Bird."