Dakota Beacon

Commentary on the passing scene holds a fascination for many. A slight change of pace from the usual fare, however, is warranted at times. Being a Johnny One Note can be monotonous.

Focusing out of my kitchen window, I’ve experienced challenges at my bird feeders from time to time. Eventually, however, all things work for the better.

For one thing, a North Dakota spring encourages a change in behavior in some species. Take my experiences with grackles for example. Whereas there was a time when I despised the fiends, today I’m ready to let bygones be bygones.

There was a time when I said some very shabby things about grackles, those black, obnoxious birds with their cocky, iridescent heads. I was most unkind in my regard for these critters referring to them as the Darth Veders of the bird feeders. I even contemplated the effects of a pellet gun.

They were certainly deserving of my ire. After all, they conducted themselves like bullies. Four or five grackles would gang up on one feeder crowding out all other birds.

Grackles push their way in forcing the other birds to retreat to higher branches. Then they rummage through the edibles throwing most on the ground until they find just the right sunflower seed. This goes on until they eat their fill. Only then do they move on leaving a mess on the ground.

This spring I mellowed a bit and changed my attitude. I actually anticipated the return of the grackles with the migration from the south. Grackles, being their brutish, hoggish selves, have a way of cleaning up the tailings beneath the feeders left behind from foraging winter birds.

The scene is set. Here comes another naughty nuisance to the feeders. Hail villain number two, the squirrel, otherwise known as the Fuzzy Bottom Boy. I’ve never dealt successfully with this raider of the lost art.

Although not as rambunctious as the grackles, nevertheless, squirrels are just as uncouth and no more genteel in their eating habits. Inevitably seed goes flying everywhere until just the right tidbit is found.

Enter one squirrel oblivious to his trespassing upon grackle turf, so to speak. Unaware of his pending fate, a better choice of yard feeders might have saved him some embarrassment. If only he knew what was in store for him.

As the squirrel mounted the nearest feeder annoying a couple of grackles, the grackles, a bit surprised and not a little bit perturbed, move a few feet higher in the branches to observe. It was apparent the birds grew more incensed with the intruder by the minute.

After all, the grackles flew all the way from Mississippi to spend a mild summer in North Dakota. They were not about to let some measly squirrel spoil their vacation.

Watching from my kitchen window, I saw a grackle fly off, wheel about, then charge the squirrel. As if on cue, another grackle took off and swooped in. Then another, and another. In moments, a half-dozen grackles were attacking and making sport of the squirrel.

For his part, it dawned on the squirrel what was happening and he jumped from one feeder to another. He wasn’t about to abandon a meal although he was rather defenseless while eating. On the other hand, he was not immediately intimidated.

At one point the squirrel hung upside down beneath a feeder presenting a tempting target for his adversaries. Before the squirrel eventually ran off for safer ground, a robin even joined the assault much to my amazement.

I’m sure this act of aggression is not unique in the annals of aviary-dom. But for this North Dakota backyard bird watcher, it was a first.

Maybe Darth Vader has justified his room and board.

Dennis M. Patrick can be contacted at P. O. Box 337, Stanley, ND 58784 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).