Daughter-in-law, sparrows and squirrels. Funny!

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Barbara - DT
Posts: 161
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:36 pm
Location: Natalia TX

Between my old house and my new T-14, I believe I have 6 pair so far. I can't really check since I had surgery on my foot last week.
My daughter-in-law is becoming a PM fan very fast and has inherited my hatred of sparrows :lol: . This morning for the first time, she shot at a sparrow with the 410......low and behold she got one! As she was doing a victory dance and thinking about having her '1st kill ever' mounted, we watched as a squirrel came down a tree, snatched the sparrow and made off with it! I laughed so hard it hurt! She is ready to hunt down the squirrel and 'take him out at the knees'. She wants her 'trophy' back! I really do love this girl. She and her husband are going to build a house next door to us, and already have big plans for being Landlords. (Yay - another convert! :grin: )

My birds started a couple of days ago collecting nest material, unfortunately, so are the sparrows :evil: . I bought a repeating trap, but no luck with it so far, but the war will go on.

Now just waiting on the subbies!!!
Southern by the Grace of God!
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DakotaLady
Posts: 654
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
Location: Bismarck, ND

Barbara, you made me chuckle with your DIL antics. I've never heard of a squirrel taking a bird before. Interesting.

Good luck with your martins.
~Tangula~

2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
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Barbara - DT
Posts: 161
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:36 pm
Location: Natalia TX

@ DakotaLady - my DIL insists this has to be an 'Only in Texas' thing. She's from Wyoming and thinks this is a whole new planet!
I didn't know squirrels were omnivorous until I saw one eat a grasshopper and googled it. Turns out they eat all sorts of stuff!
Southern by the Grace of God!
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Patrick W. Dusek
Posts: 167
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 9:35 pm
Location: Sugar Land, Texas

I think we all need a DIL like this!!! Shoot them trash birds!!!!!!! Fire at will! Later Patrick
Spring time yet???
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Connie
Posts: 441
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:05 pm
Location: WALKER, LOUISIANA
Martin Colony History: Had my site up to 22 gourds of which most (+/-3) stayed occupied.
Downsized to 17 gourds due to back surgeries. Had 14 families in 2017 but did not do nest checks due to health. Feeling better in 2018 and hoping for a good year.

I could picture that whole scenario. Laughed out loud. Wish there was a video of that action!
Connie
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Guest

Thanks for the laugh!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
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NancyinEnidOK
Posts: 158
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:06 pm
Location: Oklahoma/Enid

Too funny! Made me envision a small but distinguished-looking wooden plaque on the wall with a HOSP head mounted to it -- kudos to your DIL and may her success with trash birds continue!! :grin:
Nancy

PMCA MEMBER
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Barbara - DT
Posts: 161
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:36 pm
Location: Natalia TX

@ Nancy - I had the same vision! Wondered what my taxidermist would charge?!?! :lol:
Southern by the Grace of God!
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DebA
Posts: 1941
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
Location: Pratt County/Kansas
Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.

Oh Barbara - what a great idea for a gag gift for her! Tell her, good shootin' Elly May!! Loved it, I too LOL.

Deb
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Barbara - DT
Posts: 161
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:36 pm
Location: Natalia TX

Already trying to figure out how/where to get one!! :lol:
Southern by the Grace of God!
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Taxlave
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 2:38 pm
Location: Texas/Buchanan Dam

I've seen squirrels grab freshly-killed sparrows frequently. I think they like a little protein in the spring ;) The funny thing is that nothing eats starlings. Those things can lay around the yard for at least a week until my husband mows them :)
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