I am a bird watcher. There, I said it. After years of avoiding the truth, it is finally out in the open. Time spent watching the comings and goings at the three (that’s right, three) bird feeders in my back yard is enjoyable and time and effort have been put into making the feeders attractive to birds. There is also a heated birdbath which is used constantly.
Over the years, my knowledge of birds has been increased by observation and my four-book library of “bird books” that helps me identify uncommon birds that arrive. I really like cardinals and the bright red males in evergreens in winter are really striking. My observations have shown that cardinals are always the last birds at feeders, often as dusk is turning to night. They also like to perch to feed or gather sunflower seeds that have fallen to the ground.
What stimulated this topic was observing that for the last few days, the feeders have been overrun with juncos. About 30 of them are constantly at the feeders and about the yard, scouring the ground for seeds. They seem to have supplanted the chickadees and titmice that have been the constant visitors since the feeders went up this fall. There is also a gang of purple finches that are quite active as they are each year as winter wanes. There are three baskets where suet is provided, and the woodpeckers (hairy, downy and red-bellied) focus their attention on them, although most species do seem to like the suet. Winter seems to go by better when some time each day is spent just watching the goings on at the feeders.
There also can be drama at the feeders. Avian predators including kestrels, red-tailed hawks and broad-winged hawks have all taken notice of the concentration of potential meals and twice the explosion of feathers has been observed when a hawk grabs one of the feeder denizens. According to the feathers and blood in the snow seen occasionally around the feeders, the circle of life is commonly played out there. Last fall, an eagle spent time feeding in the back yard on a domestic duck he plucked from a neighbor’s yard.
Years ago, during a deep snow winter, a group of deer checked out the feeders and one young buck (identified by the circles on the top of his head where horns had dropped) actually licked seeds out of a feeder. And, of course, black bears will take advantage of feeders not taken in at night once they start showing up out of hibernation.
Once spring arrives, the newest member of the neighborhood birds, the Baltimore orioles, will arrive. We have a feeder special for these colorful birds with oranges and grape jelly that they utilize to get needed energy when they arrive after migrating. The final and most fascinating, in my opinion, birds to be lured into the yard are hummingbirds. The special feeders with sugar water nectar go up when it gets warm and the tiny birds buzz in and get a drink as long as summer lasts and the feeders are full and clean.
My other life as a birdwatcher takes place while turkey hunting. The spring season coincides with the time when all birds are mating. That means that males of all species, turkeys included, are in their most colorful plumage and calling to attract females. As darkness turns to dawn, the woods are filled with calls, and my greatest regret is that I never took the time to learn which bird makes which sound.
The Athol Bird and Nature Club is a great place to learn about birding and experts like Ernie LeBlanc and David Small share the knowledge they have acquired in a lifetime of birding. One used to purchase a guide with recordings of sounds to memorize but the modern world has given us apps for our cell phones that will listen to a call and then tell you what bird it is that is calling and even provide you with everything you need to know about the species. Every year I say that I am going to learn more but it always gets put off. Maybe this will be the year.
February is the time when migrant birds start showing up and American woodcock will be dropping in soon. They seek seeps where their main food source, earthworms, might be found, and they are definitely on the move. Some move early and some late, but the process will be repeated again. The woodcock male’s spring courtship flight, straight up into the air and then spiraling down to impress females, is unforgettable and another Athol Bird and Nature Club activity you might want to sign up for, the Woodcock Walk, is usually in April and a great chance to witness a unique event.
Red-winged blackbirds are considered a harbinger of spring and they are common around water bodies. Their distinctive song is a real sign of spring. Waterfowl are also beginning to show up; mallards and the occasional black duck will find open water and stop in and the Millers River is a great place to bird watch.