I hope you all had a nice week.
This is going to be a short article this week as I am in the process of moving back to 137 Bidwell Road.
My husband and I have been up on Lake Ontario since May.
We are really looking forward to being back among our friends and family and the beauty of the fall season in Parish.
I would like to thank everyone who has provided me with encouraging words on the columns.
With that said, the following email was received from Beagle Mullen, a welcome sight in my inbox.
I think you will also get a good deal of joy from her wildlife observances.
Cow Belle’s Farm Report on September 21 was a delightful addition to “Positively Parish.”
It has inspired me to report on some of Parish’s lesser known citizens, as seen on the critter cams at Skunk Meadows or out on the back roads.
Autumn has brought the first over flights of Canada Geese, headed vaguely south.
I heard or saw at least three flocks September 29-30 (they fly at night, too).
On October 1, Pat and I saw at least 50 turkey vultures in a gyre over Spencer Road riding the thermals.
Wild turkeys are moving across Voorhees Road headed where ever turkeys go.
At the feeders, this summer’s raccoon kits (or pups, or coonlets?) have grown so large they look like Ma Coon, if not yet as big as the male coons.
Only behavior can tell me if it is the young foraging with their mother or a group of older adults that arrive at the feeders at the same time.
The opossums hold their own with raccoons, often ending slanging matches with a coon seen eating from one feeder and an opossum eating from the second pan right next to it at the North Hill feeder.
They are both stalked by a coyote that has been markedly unsuccessful in catching coons or possums.
The coyote and a gray fox have been recorded on the critter cams several times recently, but neither show any interest in the cat chow we put out for the stray cats.
We see a male gray cat almost nightly and a thin Siamese appeared two weeks ago but the gray ran it off.
Three does occasionally show up during the night in Skunk Meadows on the West critter cam, grazing on something in the mixed vegetation of the meadow.
The coyote, fox, a fisher and a white skunk have also crossed the meadow.
We have also seen a weasel but not on camera.
A black bear wandered into our yard one summer night, munched a little whole corn, slurped some nectar from the hummingbird feeder, and moseyed off into the east swamp.
He has not come back for seconds.
The red and gray squirrels, flying squirrels, chipmunks and rats all like corn, but the reds have added cat chow to their diet.
The hummingbirds seem to have gone, and the rose breasted grosbeaks gave up when the sunflower seed ran out.
However, blue jays and crows have been around all summer, the phoebes and blue birds nested successfully this spring, and the chickadees and nuthatches are back.
Grackles flocked in august and then went elsewhere after their young were fully-fledged and no longer begging to the parents.
We saw only one cowbird and a red winged blackbird in the flock.
We expect the barred owl and starlings later in the fall or winter.
Parish has a wealth of wildlife and a walk in the yard, a look out of a window, or recording on a critter camera will introduce them to anyone who wants to see “night life” up close and personal.
Take care. Route 69 Birdwatcher, Aka Beagle Mullen
In closing
Consider beautifying your yard with a fall (Halloween) theme, either from a craft store or better yet, from nature – pumpkins, cornstalks, mums, get the kids to make a scarecrow, it will bring you a sense of well being and the kids will love it.
You would be surprised how many people drive around our neighborhoods admiring a decorated yard.
Take the opportunity of the season and visit one of the many apple orchards in the area, pick a bag of apples, watch the cider making process, or walk just for the great beauty that surrounds us here in Parish.
I received a call from a mom and dad who took their kids to see “Hotel Transylvania” at a local theater; the whole family enjoyed it.
Whatever you decide to do, make it a fun time. I do hope you have a great week.
If you, or your organization, have an event you would like me to pass it along, or if you have something you think people would enjoy reading about, please let me know.
Upcoming Events
On October 20, the Parish Town Historical Society will be holding an Archive Day at the Parish Public Library from noon until 3 p.m.
Members of the society will be selling their 2013 calendar, a photographic history of Parish.
There will also be a display of historic photographs of Parish’s past.
The society wishes to extend its gratitude to the community for their continued support in this endeavor.
This year’s calendar is $7.
October 26 – Annual spaghetti dinner for Parish Community Preschool
Carrie Miller, board president for the Parish Community Preschool, announced the annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser to be held on October 26 from 4-8 p.m. at the Parish Fire Department.
There will also be a bake sale of desserts for take home and door prize raffles.
Tickets are adult $7; seniors $6; kids 12 and under $3, kids under 3 free.
Family plan: $20 (up to two adults and three kids).
Carryout available.
All proceeds benefit the Parish Community Preschool.
Joann Wines and Lisa Sabine, the pre-school teachers, will be in attendance to greet you and answer any questions.
APW Alumnae Morgan Sobotka and Samantha Rogers new members of the Syracuse Brigadiers Winterguard.
Ann Sobotka-Hall, is fundraising to help defray the initial expenses ($950 for each girl).
Ann will run a 50/50 raffle and tickets on a cord of wood donated by Hall Firewood; $1 donation per raffle ticket.
Drawing will be on October 31.
Ann will also be collecting bottles and cans.
You can reach Ann for additional information, tickets or bottle pickup at 439-9747 or email at [email protected]
Nancy Weaver-Bookheimer
[email protected]
315 447-1211
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