[NatureNS] feeder birds

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From: Nick Hill <fernhillns@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2017 11:13:42 -0300
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Agreed Donna
Feeders are probably helping the early returns though we are seeing
regulars chickadee junco and tree sparrow but robins must be elsewhere. We
had a flock of some sort of waxwing at the Rosa multiflora and I've been
wondering what birds are using these long lasting fruits. I read that
waxwings specialize in small fruirs. Peggy Crawford I think had the same
visitors or maybe evening grosbeak in her multiflora spinney last month.
Logs in all stoves today!
Nick


On Mar 12, 2017 1:06 PM, "Donna Crossland" <dcrossland@eastlink.ca> wrote:

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 f=
orests
makes on a cold windy day.  Glad I don=E2=80=99t live on the prairies.



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.



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 t=
hat 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 natur=
al 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 an=
d
goldfinch crews=E2=80=9D seem perfectly fine.



I=E2=80=99ve heard valid and science-based criticisms against maintaining b=
ird
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 sanitiz=
e 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 accep=
table
for the next little while.



Other thoughts, opposing or otherwise, are welcome.



Donna





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

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<div dir=3D"auto">Agreed Donna=C2=A0<div dir=3D"auto">Feeders are probably =
helping the early returns though we are seeing regulars chickadee junco and=
 tree sparrow but robins must be elsewhere. We had a flock of some sort of =
waxwing at the Rosa multiflora and I&#39;ve been wondering what birds are u=
sing these long lasting fruits. I read that waxwings specialize in small fr=
uirs. Peggy Crawford I think had the same visitors or maybe evening grosbea=
k in her multiflora spinney last month.</div><div dir=3D"auto">Logs in all =
stoves today!</div><div dir=3D"auto">Nick</div><div dir=3D"auto"><br></div>=
</div&