Now’s the time of year when sights from Mountain City yards can fill Montage’s inches.
Lesser goldfinches weigh heavily this week. These little 0.33 ounce black and gold birds hang every which way on our finch feeders filled with thistle (“niger”) seed from Home Depot. The Wagner brand and the store’s fresh stock does, indeed, make a difference. Thanks to Laura Craig for cluing readers in.
Laura, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday, has seen as many as 17 goldfinch on her sock feeder. (Belated happy birthday, Laura. And, good luck with your new OwlShack.)
Central Texas’ wintering American goldfinch migrate northward to breed. Lesser goldfinch stay here year-round.
We stuffed dog hair into a hanging wire suet cage, expecting to provide nest cup material for titmice and chickadees. We laughed as two lesser goldfinch clung to the cage, cramming their beaks with hair from my mom’s dog. The goldfinch flew over towards the Kiernan’s house. Sight unseen, from AllAboutBirds.org, I can tell you the nest will probably be concealed by leaves in a fork of branches, 4 – 8 feet (or higher) from the ground.
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If you’re wondering the names of your neighbors, the city directory will soon be out as a valuable reference. For those who did not respond to the mailed inquiry followed by an email survey last year, the missing names were gathered from public voting registration records and appraisal district records. So, authenticate.
Mayor Tiffany Curnutt expressed shock when she looked through voter registration records. Many in Mountain City are not registered to vote.
Old-timers will remember that twenty years ago Mountain City had a golden reputation for voter registration and voter turnout. Who can remember or find the reference with those extremely high percentages for Precinct 225?
What happened, Mountain City? It’s now so easy to register. Go to www.co.hays.tx.us/voter-registration-ballot-by-mail.aspx
Mayor Tiffany reminds, “PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE.
VOTE - and the choice is yours.
DON’T VOTE - and the choice is theirs.
REGISTER - or you have no choice.”
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It may not be a record, but RonTom spotted an 11.5 inch Texas spiny lizard on our wisteria. According to HerpsOfTexas.org, the total length with tail of a Sceloporus olivaceus is typically up to 11 inches. On the cool day last week, it stayed still for photographs and a measurement.
Oh, how I hope that lizard stays out front. KissMe, our great white hunter with red spots, spends hours outside nowadays. He’s 30 inches long with tail and, with his nose to the ground, 10 inches high. He will miss the Buda Wiener Dog Races again this year because once again it falls on the same weekend as the Bluebird Festival in Wills Point, the last weekend in April.
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Easter falls early this year, the first Sunday in April. Looking for a place to worship on Resurrection Day? Just go out the front entrance and turn right. Fellowship Church’s celebration service will take place at the football stadium at 10:00 a.m.
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To submit a tidbit, just email [email protected] (Subject: TIDBIT) or phone 512 268 5678.
Thanks! Love, Pauline
