As promised a few days ago here is some video of the Pollen Beetles at work.
They sure do love their pollen:
The soundtrack is 'Hunger After Dinner' from a ProTracker module by Delta X of fraxion.
Sometimes there are darn near fifty Starlings in the trees around my garden. The only feeders they can use are the wire baskets containing a mixture of peanuts and suet pellets. Naturally the pellets disappear first but the birds have to work for them by clinging on the outside and pecking off small pieces. To my astonishment one of this years brood had other ideas. It must have found out by accident that the lid can be lifted to gain access to the inside. As far as I can tell only one bird regularly does this and even though the others can see it they don't seem to have tried copying:
I was worried that it might lose its footing and fall in head first and get stuck. Sorry the end of the video goes out of focus. I forgot that it is better for this sort of video to use manual focus.
Have a great weekend observing the antics of the wildlife around you.
The starling is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThe macro video is excellent. Did you film it indoors?
Adrian: thanks. I had seen the Starling lift the lid once, then it took over two hours waiting and watching for it to come back to get the video so I was really annoyed with the change in focus.
ReplyDeleteThe Sunflower / Pollen Beetles was filmed outdoors. I meant to upload a photo of the set up.
Click on PHOTO to see it.
PHOTO
Just a gentle breeze which is why there is some distortion at the end of the clip, flower held by a bamboo cane.
Thanks John. I had forgotten I was going to stake a plant first.
DeleteTwo great videos John, but that Starling is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThank you Keith. Watching at the right time helps with spotting the more unusual activity.
Deletesmart, smart bird! the pollen beetles are very cool.
ReplyDeleteTWG: Too smart for their own good sometimes ;)
DeleteFascinating video of those harvest beetles. They are certainly focussed on their job. That startling has definitely figured out how to remove the biggest obstacle to get a beak full! I have a similar domed peaeednut feeder. In order to discourage any squirrel attempts to gain access I have stuck the lid down with duct tape! Fortunately the feeders don't n to be filled often. Thanks to your site, I have offered dry mealworms on a bird feeder, but so far no takers.
ReplyDeleteGlo: I also noticed it digs around and chooses one flavour of suet stick - berries.
DeleteHere birds suck as Robins are supposed to like dried mealworms but the Starlings usually grab the lot. It can take a while for birds to get used to an uncommon food.