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That=E2=80=99s fascinating, Paul. Might I wager a guess that you would =
have more purple finches because the thin wedge of forests remaining and =
rimming the Atlantic coast would feature more mature conifer? =20
=20
Also fascinating, your historical reference to the best time to travel =
by =E2=80=9Chorse and sleigh=E2=80=9D is coming up- the =E2=80=98green =
beer=E2=80=99 day, so to speak, on March 17th. I guess I =
won=E2=80=99t be able to test that directly (the sleigh, I mean), but I =
noted yesterday that conditions are awesome for travelling to our wooded =
swamps without all the usual hard slogging. Yesterday, my trusty German =
shepherd (who weighs ~90 lbs) and I (with a solid =E2=80=9Cwinter =
weight=E2=80=9D accumulated and which shall remain undisclosed in this =
email) were scampering over the snow crust without a hint of breaking =
though. It was a lot of fun, and I highly recommend the activity: =
Now=E2=80=99s the time to visit our wooded swamps. There, I found some =
long strands of Usnea longissima trailing delicately in the soft breeze. =
This was in a small forest stand next to our former cow pasturage in =
East Dalhousie. There were lots of lichens to explore there, but less =
incentive to doddle in the crisp temps. =20
=20
Back on your native PEI, Paul, I=E2=80=99ve read about how the early =
settlers could ride freely with horse and buggy through the tall beech =
woods without striking a branch. It must have been really something =
before we cleared and burned it all down. I mourn its loss even still. =
The passenger pigeons would have feasted there during mast years up =
until the early 1800s.
=20
Stay warm!
Donna
=20
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca =
[mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of =
rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca
Sent: March-12-17 12:39 PM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] feeder birds
=20
Here at our little feeder Donna Purple Finches are the second=20
most common bird I see - after Gold Finches.=20
Red breasted Nuthatches come every once in a while=20
the White Breasted and Brown Creepers stay in the trees.
At home on PEI the old folks used to say the best time to travel
by horse and sleigh on the ice was St Patricks day. This coming
Friday so the cold blast is no susprise to me!
Enjoy the end of winter
Paul
On March 12, 2017 at 9:49 AM Donna Crossland <dcrossland@eastlink.ca> =
wrote:=20
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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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=3DEN-CA link=3Dblue =
vlink=3Dpurple><div class=3DWordSection1><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'>That=E2=80=99s fascinating, Paul.=C2=A0 Might I wager a guess that =
you would have more purple finches because the thin wedge of forests =
remaining and rimming the Atlantic coast would feature more mature =
conifer?=C2=A0 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'>Also fascinating, your historical reference to the best time to =
travel by =E2=80=9Chorse and sleigh=E2=80=9D is coming up- the =
=E2=80=98green beer=E2=80=99 day, so to speak, on March =
17<sup>th</sup>.=C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0I guess I won=E2=80=99t be able to =
test that directly (the sleigh, I mean), but I noted yesterday that =
conditions are awesome for travelling to our wooded swamps without all =
the usual hard slogging.=C2=A0 Yesterday, my trusty German shepherd (who =
weighs ~90 lbs) =C2=A0and I (with a solid =E2=80=9Cwinter =
weight=E2=80=9D accumulated and which shall remain undisclosed in this =
email) were scampering over the snow crust without a hint of breaking =
though.=C2=A0 It was a lot of fun, and I highly recommend the =
activity:=C2=A0 Now=E2=80=99s the time to visit our wooded swamps.=C2=A0 =
There, I found some long strands of <i>Usnea longissima</i> trailing =
delicately in the soft breeze. =C2=A0This was in a small forest stand =
next to our former cow pasturage in East Dalhousie. =C2=A0There were =
lots of lichens to explore there, but less incentive to doddle in the =
crisp temps.=C2=A0 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'>Back on your native PEI, Paul, I=E2=80=99ve read about how the early =
settlers could ride freely with horse and buggy through the tall beech =
woods without striking a branch.=C2=A0 It must have been really =
something before we cleared and burned it all down.=C2=A0 I mourn its =
loss even still.=C2=A0 The passenger pigeons would have feasted there =
during mast years up until the early 1800s.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'>Stay warm!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'>Donna<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div =
style=3D'border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm =
0cm 0cm'><p class=3DMsoNormal><b><span lang=3DEN-US =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span>=
</b><span lang=3DEN-US =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> =
naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] =
<b>On Behalf Of </b>rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca<br><b>Sent:</b> =
March-12-17 12:39 PM<br><b>To:</b> =
naturens@chebucto.ns.ca<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [NatureNS] feeder =
birds<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>Here at =
our little feeder Donna Purple Finches are the second =
<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>most common bird I see - =
after Gold Finches. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>Red =
breasted Nuthatches come every once in a while =
<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>the White Breasted and =
Brown Creepers stay in the trees.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>At home on PEI the old folks used to say the best time =
to travel<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>by horse and =
sleigh on the ice was St Patricks day. This =
coming<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>Friday so the cold =
blast is no susprise to me!<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Enjoy the end of winter<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Paul<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote =
style=3D'border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.0pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm =
8.0pt;margin-left:0cm;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p =
class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:12.0pt'>On March 12, 2017 at =
9:49 AM Donna Crossland <<a =
href=3D"mailto:dcrossland@eastlink.ca">dcrossland@eastlink.ca</a>> =
wrote: <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'>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. =
</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'>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.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'>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. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'>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.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'>Other thoughts, opposing or otherwise, are =
welcome.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'>Donna</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497=
D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>On 11 =
March 2017 at 13:31, Marg Millard <<a =
href=3D"mailto:mmillard@eastlink.ca" =
target=3D"_blank">mmillard@eastlink.ca</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>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.<br><br>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.<br>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.<br>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.<br>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.<br>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.<br>There are a number of Woodpeckers, both =
Downy and Hairy. I heard a flicker in the distance but haven't seen =
one.<br><br>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.<br>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.<br><br>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.<br>it is chilly and breezy here but sunny at times =
so that is nice.<br>Marg<br><br><br><br><br><br>White Point Artist, Marg =
Millard<br>19 White Point 2 Rd., White Point, Queens Co.,<br>R.R. # 1 =
Hunts Point, Nova Scotia<br>B0T 1G0 Canada (902) =
683-2393<br>LocalArtistMargMillard.ca<br>By Appointment, =
please<o:p></o:p></p></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></div></blockquote><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><br> <o:p></o:p></p></div></div></body></html>
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