I found a few dust Bowls over the weekend and I'm wondering if that is any sign of the progression in the mating season for birds. This year is the only year i have really found many but the ones I have found I found this weekend. But I've walked the same property for couple weeks now and haven't found one until yet. Is this any indication of what part of the mating season it's in I did find a nest with a hen laying on the Nest this weekend as well. Are the dust bath usually for parasites? I've never really heard that this was any indication of the mating season but with me only seeing the bowls now It has me questioning why I'm seeing them just now.
No real indication of mating period.
The reason they dust is to get/keep bugs off of them. They won't start doing this until it gets warm enough for the bugs to become a problem. That's why you don't find any in the winter. If anything they are a sign of warmer weather.
Areas with dust bowls are good spots to set up during the noon - afternoon lull. They usually visit them after they have fed around for the morning.
I've been seeing them pop up on my place. I find them in the same places every year. Next week I'm planning on putting a few cameras on them to see what's in the area. What I've seen from prior cameras is that they seem to hit them the most between 10 & 1, but the same birds don't hit them everyday, with some days not being hit at all. I don't think it has anything to do with breeding. I rarely get pic's of gobblers and hens using them at the same time.
Also, when I'm not sure of where to go, I will sit by them until I make up my mind. I've seen hens come while I was sitting over them, but have never shot a tom using one.
Set a trail cam up on one today. This "bowl" has been in the same spot for several years.
Quote from: barry on April 09, 2012, 06:31:20 PM
Set a trail cam up on one today. This "bowl" has been in the same spot for several years.
Just pulled this pic today.
(http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/yy227/moses25roman/Snapbucket/PICT0050.jpg)
that's a pretty cool pic, thanks for sharing
Set a trail cam up on one last night. Been there a couple years. Birds are always in that area. Hope to get some good pics as we still have to wait about 2 weeks for season.
That is a great pic. Thanks for posting it.