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It really was a popular day yesterday at the feeders (and similar =
today). None of us, feathered or otherwise, are accustomed to the =
sudden drop in temps and high winds that were experienced since =
it=E2=80=99s been a pretty smooth coast for most of the winter. I dove =
into the woods to get out of the biting winds yesterday afternoon. =
It=E2=80=99s amazing what a difference forests makes on a cold windy =
day. Glad I don=E2=80=99t live on the prairies. =20
=20
The sap sucker was back at the suet feeder. He=E2=80=99s very =
predictable when the temp drops. For a while, my feeder area was very =
colorful with a male and female cardinal on the ground beneath, and the =
gorgeous red flashes of the male sapsucker feeding from the last bit of =
suet low to the ground. I made up a fresh batch of suet with black oil =
sunflower seeds mixed in (delicious) and hung it out to ensure everyone =
had a rich caloric intake to get through the cold afternoon and night =
ahead. I made a second batch this AM, and the chickadees immediately =
began to vocalize the news of the new suet being hung in a sheltered =
spot.
=20
Similar to Marg=E2=80=99s observations, there are no purple finches =
around, but I have gold finches a plenty. Considering what purple =
finches consume, I suspect the population will be extra low for a while, =
aside from its usual irregularities as a winter feeder visitor and its =
reported declines elsewhere from House finch invasions. I was observing =
air photo imagery under DNR=E2=80=99s Harvest Plans Map Viewer a few =
days ago. It is clear that we are flattening nearly all the remaining =
mature conifer forest in NS that would have supplied much of the natural =
sources of seed. With 55 year harvest rotations set up on Crown land, =
it=E2=80=99s not certain what natural food supply will remain for the =
next while. Trees need time to mature before producing any significant =
quantity of seed. It=E2=80=99s a dire situation we are creating for =
wildlife. Meanwhile, the =E2=80=9Cfield and roadside junco and =
goldfinch crews=E2=80=9D seem perfectly fine. =20
=20
I=E2=80=99ve heard valid and science-based criticisms against =
maintaining bird feeders through the years, and how this can do more =
harm than good for birds. We know the feeders can spread diseases if we =
don=E2=80=99t sanitize them, and they can set birds up for easy =
predation. It=E2=80=99s perhaps mostly a selfish pleasure watching =
birds at feeders, I suppose, bringing nature closer to us. But with the =
sudden removal of food sources normally obtained from forest resources, =
I wonder if perhaps it=E2=80=99s more acceptable for the next little =
while.
=20
Other thoughts, opposing or otherwise, are welcome.
=20
Donna
=20
=20
On 11 March 2017 at 13:31, Marg Millard <mmillard@eastlink.ca> wrote:
Today has been interesting for us in that we have been visited by both a =
Fox sparrow and a Woodcock! We only see them once in awhile and the last =
time was during that big fallout a couple springs ago when we had many =
feeding here as we had grass.
The regulars are here in varying numbers. They include Mourning Doves, =
not in the thirties the past week or so but close to 20 by times, Blue =
Jays, a few Starlings, numbers are climbing, must be a dozen or so now. =
There are Red-winged blackbirds, male and female/junveniles. One was =
calling from the swamp, another from our ash tree, the other day.
We have Juncos, Sparrows; song and white throats, Chickadees, a larger =
than normal group of American Goldfinches, Nuthatches, what appears to =
be a pair and a spare in the white breasteds, and a red breasted.
We have a family of big crows that are usually about the area and =
several who seem to be setting a nest in a tree down the road in a big =
pine tree. Maybe teaching youngsters? I don't know.
The strange small Grackle hasn't been seen since last week's wind. Steve =
saw a Barred owl in our Ash tree when he returned from bowling Wednesday =
evening.
We still have a solitary Robin. This may sound strange to some but could =
this be a Robin who was born here, stayed several winters with us, =
finally had a mate, and offspring. It went away for awhile but always =
would come back early and let us know it wanted the apples set out. The =
behavior is so similar it is hard to think it isn't the same bird. Even =
taps on the studio window for fresh apples.
There are a number of Woodpeckers, both Downy and Hairy. I heard a =
flicker in the distance but haven't seen one.
What is noticeably missing from the mix are the purple finches, both =
Chipping and American tree sparrows and Grackles in general. No =
Sapsucker and no Red head Woodpeckers.
My snow drops are up (very late) and wanting to bloom but they are =
pretty peaked. I had a Vole (initially I thought it was a mouse but was =
corrected when I posted a photo to Facebook). Last week after all the =
snow it dug its way up through the snow (viewed like an ant farm) =
against the studio window, to snooze in the sun atop the snow drift. =
Makes me very glad to see the snow drops at all.
I know something is hunting the neighbourhood, but which I am not sure. =
I see the frozen stance of the birds, all except the chickadees who will =
tackle a Sharpie and confuse it. Fascinating to see.
it is chilly and breezy here but sunny at times so that is nice.
Marg
White Point Artist, Marg Millard
19 White Point 2 Rd., White Point, Queens Co.,
R.R. # 1 Hunts Point, Nova Scotia
B0T 1G0 Canada (902) 683-2393
LocalArtistMargMillard.ca
By Appointment, please=20
=20
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