It’s “Bambi” time. Axis breed year-round. We notice white-tail fawn in late April and May.
Annual reminder: if you see an apparently “abandoned” fawn, leave it alone. Doe often safely leave their baby bedded down for hours while they forage. TPWD says, “If the fawn is not crying, is not covered with fire ants, the eyes are not swollen and there are no visible wounds, do not handle or disturb it.”
On Sunday, Marjie Kelley photographed a fawn on her front porch (without disturbing) and a fuzzy tarantula inside her house (disturbed). She reported, “The tarantula is no longer inside (I hope) but now frolicking in the front yard with Bambi (I hope).
Marjie tidbitted for Montage, “Time is running out to enroll in my 15th and LAST tour of Europe, “Paris to Berlin,” two weeks in September, and my email address marjiek@yahoo.com.”
James and Dianne Polk up near the front of the city get the prize (a mention in Montage!) for first reported sighting of the season of an indigo bunting. April 18 at 10:22 a.m. James Facebooked, “The last sighting according to our records was sixteen years ago in April almost to the day! Was worth the wait.”
The Garraways (oh-so-proud of Daniel starring this past weekend as Pippen at Barton) have a tufted titmouse nesting in their backyard nestbox.
Laura Craig on Cedar screamed very loud recently when she found a rat snake inside her not-yet-installed nestbox sitting on a picnic table. A friend on Facebook wondered if it’s worth it to put out a nestbox. Laura answered,
I have several nestboxes; they can be really enjoyable! I think some of my boxes get the same pair of titmice and Bewick’s wrens every year. But, you do have to watch for house sparrows and wasps (and snakes apparently – 17 years and that was a first).
In answer to “how would I get started?” Laura gave a great answer!
I guess first try to attract some birds to your yard. Some birds are picky eaters, but you can’t go wrong with a water source. No perches. Not north facing. And, it helps to have an easy way to open the box to clean out and check on it. I have nestboxes on poles to help prevent cats and other predators getting in.
In our “bluebird” nestboxes we currently have nesting titmice, wrens, and ash-throated flycatchers.
Should you want a free bluebird nestbox with the purchase of a $15 Texas Bluebird Society nestbox (available only in person), you could come see me this Saturday at the organization’s booth at the Bluebird Festival in Wills Point, east of Dallas. If you’re going, instead, to the Buda Wiener Dog Races or you don’t care to make the long trip, you can contact me.
For lost dogs, found dogs, and dogs running loose, it works well to send word to Beth Smith and post on mountaincity.nextdoor.com
You can contact me with tidbits (please!). ptom5678@gmail.com (subject: TIDBIT) or 512-268-5678.
Thanks! Love, Pauline
