No, I’m not referring to the Democrats and Republicans or who voted for he-who-must-not-be-named in 2016 and who didn’t.
Resemble anyone?
My divisiveness refers to what’s going on between my heron and some red-winged blackbirds. Indulge me, if you will, while I provide the backstory: For the past four years, this year being number five, (I’ve been in my house for five years! Yea, me! Oh, sorry…back to the back story) the red-winged blackbirds have been content roosting in the marsh directly off Elsie Ave. The grackles join them and, based on the raucous commotion going on over there, they must have brought along several kegs and a limbo stick. They are the true party animals.
Anyone up for a game of limbo?
Next comes the herons. They arrive later in the season and find various sites along the river to build their nests. However, one of them is a stickler for feeding on the bank of the river opposite my beach (of which I’m thrilled). (See my blog from 2016 https://concordriverlady.com/2016/06/21/the-summer-solstice-came-in-on-the-wings-of-thunder/) The tradition was most likely going on long before I moved into my little corner on the Corner River: red-wings in the marsh, herons feeding along the river.
A truly impressive bird.
And all was grand with the world…until this year. I can’t tell you why, maybe the grackles were making too much racket, or maybe the cost of living went up but a male red-winged blackbird moved his harem (males mate with several females) to the area where my great blue feeds. Now the feathers fly!
Every time the heron shows up for a meal the red-wings get all hot and bothered and dive bomb the poor bird until the heron decides fishing in that spot isn’t worth the bother. I’m serious, the red-wings are relentless; pecking at the heron’s head and chasing her as she flies away.
I did a little research and herons aren’t know for stealing eggs; they prefer fish and other watery delicacies. The red-wings are just being mean, that’s the only reason I can offer. (I personally think they’re republicans and my heron is a democrat.)
Although… the heron’s harassment is giving me great photographs of her flying, so at least there’s a silver lining.
At least my ducks are getting along, well… With each other, most of the time, sort of. But, damn are they having a heck of a time with the man-hole-cover-sized snapping turtle that lives in the area. Ma Snapper has taken to loitering in the water just off my beach, and her presence freaks the ducks out and now they’re refusing to go in the water.
One of my ducks has already lost a leg to Ma Snapper.
Say hello to Hobby Anna, the female counterpart to Hobby. Remember him?
I’m sure he’s swimming in that great, big pond in the sky by now.
Seriously, with all the hostility in the world, and that includes leg-eating snapping turtles, it’s a wonder I can sleep at night, but thanks to my barn owl, I can. I haven’t gotten a look at him but I can hear him calling from the inky dark of the woods.
Thank you Shelley for uploading your video.
If you’d like to attract these beautiful birds to your property, build a nest box. Here’s where you can get the plans. NestWatch.org I hope you’ll help; barn owls are declining in number due to their nesting sites being destroyed.
Please help, thank you.
As long as I’m on the subject of destruction, bad tidings have come to my little corner of the Concord River; the town of Billerica is cutting down the woods opposite my property. I find it hard to sit at my desk and listen to the bulldozers and chainsaws plowing through the vegetation. Each time a a tree crashes to the forest floor a piece of my heart dies with it.
You can see the orange fencing on behind the tree line. Notice how bright the area is? That used to be dense woods with darkened silhouettes of sturdy tree trunks. Now, it’s a paved road leading to Goddess knows where.
Yup, I’m officially depressed at the moment. How about you? I think we need a little Enya to soothe our ravaged hearts.
Enjoy and blessed be :}
concordriverlady.com 
Oh what a bummer. Glad I’m not there to see that. I’d be crying over that too. I think the town bought the property when i lived there and I worried. It’s pretty marshy back there and legally i don’t think they can cut down the trees to the water’s edge, but it will be a drag to see lights at night. The view was always stunning because there was nothing there..
I always hated Billerica for the way they treat their conservation land. They cant wait to cut down trees and build a soccer field or elderly housing or some other crap. And what conservation land they do have is always trashy. I used to walk my dogs in Carlisle.
Sorry about your baby duck too. I put spiders and earwigs outside instead of killing them. I’m a softie . Wishing you well.
Priscilla Rafuse