We could live offa the fatta the lan’.
- John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men
Birds and squirrels are frequent visitors to my birdbath area where I also put out sunflower seeds. This week I noticed a little mouse had also decided to pay a visit. I’m guessing it was a Deer Mouse as it appeared to have a lighter underbelly. I’ve seen them before. It didn’t look like a vole, which is darker with a shorter tail.
At this time of year, insects are plentiful and it’s easier for animals of all types to find food. Some plants have already gone to seed. I see a year round benefit to offering water, but is there a point at which one should stop offering bird seed? Isn’t there enough out there already for birds and squirrels to eat?
I leave enough time between feedings to make sure that all the seed is cleaned up, but this little guy was bold enough to come to the top of the feeder. He wasn’t satisfied with the odd seed that might have fallen on the ground and been overlooked by the birds. I don’t mind seeing the odd mouse or vole at my feeder, but I don’t know how I’d feel if I suddenly saw several of them dining there…
I know what you mean, which begs the question: why do we think chipmunks are cute and mice are, well, perhaps not quite so attractive?
Hi, Gerry~~
I followed your name to your blog, too, and stopped and read for a while. Very nice. I have bookemarked it so I can go back to it. By the way, I am an old friend of Amy/Flandrumhill, and I live in B.C.
Good question Gerry. My youngest son used to keep pet mice and they are surprisingly dear little creatures with lots of personality. Though I could warm to mice, I don’t know if I could ever feel the same about rats.
Usually, animals with proportionately big eyes get more positive attention from humans. For this reason, baby animals are also deemed cuter than adults of the same species.
I think mice are cute! And am impressed that you could get his (her) picture. We quit feeding the birds each year when the garden gets planted. I guess we’re going by the theory that there’s enough wild food for the birds to eat this time of year. And it avoids sunflowers growing in the midst of the garden in odd places.
I like mice, too! Hate when we have to trap them out at camp!?! My step-daughter brought a pet rat home from college once – it had been her psych experiment and it either had to find a home or go to rat heaven. We had it for awhile but I never really warmed up to old Max. Lovely, green nook in your yard, Amy.
Sounds like a reasonable plan Kathy. I’ve been cutting back the amount of sunflower seeds I put out. I noticed a little vole scrambling around this morning, no doubt looking for something to nibble on.
I don’t think I could warm up to a rat either Cindy. That nook’s right on the edge of the woods and seems to be a place where birds and squirrels feel safe.
That’s so cute, the mouse on the stump, nibbling the stuff left for the birds!