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When we were on St John this year we were amazed by the bananaquits that seemed to be everywhere. I did not notice them on St Croix when we were there in August. Are they on St Croix and we just didn't see them or do they not exist on the island at all? We're moving to STX in 2016 and were just curious.
Posted : December 24, 2015 2:57 pm
In August, we had been in our almost 7th month of an unprecedented drought here in the VI. Everything was suffering and under pressure due to lack of rain. STX was especially hard hit.
I was leaving bowls of plain water on my decks, railings and outdoor areas. (STT)
Now that we've been having rains again, the amount of birds have increased around the property. And... I am not talking about chickens and rooster, thank goodness!
I just had 2 bananaquits in my house yesterday that I had to relocate back outside. In these instances, I find a dustpan and spaghetti strainer works well if I can't catch them by hand.
This works for thrushies, baby hawks, hummingbirds, green parakeets (which come, it seems in pairs...catch one, release outside the other will follow.)
Different critters do require different methods, however.
It may also depend on your location.
Bananaquits do love sugar water so you can also attract them that way. Hanging feeders are best. Hummingbirds and Thrushies also like the sugar water.
Thrushies are bullies tho and will chase hummingbirds and bananaquits off.
Posted : December 24, 2015 4:40 pm
The disappearance happened after Hugo not only with the destruction of their habitat but also with the release of hundreds of Finches that Woolworths had just received, who compete with them for food. They are still around and slowly increasing. But they are still not in the numbers I recall prior to Hugo.
Posted : December 24, 2015 5:35 pm
I was not aware of that happening on STX, CI.
Posted : December 24, 2015 5:42 pm
The finches are all over STX now.
Posted : December 24, 2015 6:19 pm