Hello VAbirders,
The birds in our garden seem to have had enough precipitation for the near
future. They must be as weary of being wet and cold as I. This morning
during the heavy rain a variety of species were trying to find
shelter. We had House Finches clinging to our window screens, House
Sparrows sitting under roof overhangs, and Mourning Doves cozying up to our
house under our baywindow.
During the snowstorms I saw many ice-encrusted birds coming to our
feeders. I don't recall seeing such pathetic-looking birds in past
winters. Many had clumps of ice embedded in their feathers that resulted
in exposed skin. Having flirted with hypothermia the day before myself, I
cringed at the sight of those poor birds.
Between last week's ice and snow and today's relentless rain, I'm wondering
if it's time for me to set up a few winter roosting boxes and shelters to
supplement the conifers and shrubs in our garden so the birds have more
ways to get out of the elements. ??????
Today's rain swelled the trickle of water that runs through the woods
behind us into a real creek. As the other birds looked for umbrellas, the
neighborhood Mallard pair reveled in the rushing water. We don't usually
see them behind our house, they prefer the wider part of the creek that is
several houses down the street. So, we delighted in their waddling closer
and closer to our yard as the woods got wetter and wetter. Perhaps I'll
put extra corn and seed on the ground tomorrow in an attempt to entice them
a little closer still so we can get a better look at them.
Grasping at any glimmer of Spring, I saw more G&Gs (Geese and Gulls) flying
north this week. The Gulls fly high and seem to be booking. Another G,
Grackle, has arrived. Woe is me, they are here already!
Bird song continues to increase and more species join in. The star
songster is Song Sparrow. That blessed bird and his gorgeous songs keep me
going on the coldest winter days. A happy and most-wanted surprise, Brown
Creeper. Winter seemed extra bleak this year, for we hadn't seen any Brown
Creepers. So when this one flew in right in front of us, I was
ecstatic! I'm being optimistic and calling this one a northward
migrant. Even if I'm wrong, it makes me feel better, so there!
Critters are pairing up, getting ready to raise a new batch of babies. The
fox pair is hunting our yard for squirrels again...yea foxes, go get
'em! The big, fat raccoon pair trundles through the woods. Sometimes the
foxes and the raccoons meet face to face. The raccoons don't seem
phased. The foxes back off. The insane hormonely-charged male squirrels
never stop chasing the females or fighting the other males...except of
course when they pause to eat our seed. Average squirrel count of late is
35 in the yard at once, a new record. Why are they thriving in this
extra-cold winter??????
The most pleasing pair preparing for breeding season is Mrs. P and Klutzy,
our Pileateds. They've been scarce through the winter, but are coming to
the feeders more often lately. Feels like a family reunion.
Feels like Spring. Well, I said I was being optimistic! ;-)
Lori Markoff
Vienna
Fairfax County
canyon.eagle@xxxxxxxxxxx
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