FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] WillieBoy Day 7

["Tommy Curtis" <tcbirdwatch@xxxxxxxxxx>]

WillieBoy is very unsettled this morning.  He came to the feeder later than 
usual, took three quick stabs then returned quickly to sit and drink for 30 
seconds, which he has not done before in his first early morning visits.  He 
then disappeared for so long we began to think his internal survival manual was 
on the page that said if the temperature is going to be in the low teens for 
the next two nights, fly south now!  He came back after 20 minutes but still 
seems very disturbed at the feeder though we haven't changed anything in the 
feeder area.  
I honestly kind of hoped he was moving farther south.  Even though I've put up 
two heat lamps now I know the next two days and nights are going to be brutal 
for outside birds.  From our experience with Willie it is evident Rufous are 
hearty birds and I've read they go so far north for their breeding grounds that 
even in the summer the nights are very cold.  But when I think about that tiny 
little creature huddled in the frigid night all alone, my heart wishes he 
didn't have to go through it.  I think it's kind of like seeing your children 
go through the teenage years and knowing they will survive but wishing they 
didn't have to experience so much pain and difficulty as they grow into adults. 
 

Tommy & Virginia Curtis
Smithville, TN
DeKalb County


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