Migration time

Check out the lineup of starlings sitting on the split rail! They're chockablock as if they don't want to get their feet wet. I've been putting out mixed seed recently, with corn and millet in it. These birds today have joined their blackbird buddies the red wings - who arrived here a week or so ago in groups of first a pair, then 14 then 30.

They appear to be the bird version of gourmands - piggy-type birds who need to keep their energy high with the cold that followed the warm air we experienced a week ago. And with voracious appetites. The mourning doves that have been about recently appear to have moved on, though two or three try to edge in for a quick mouthful.


As kids we used to worry about the robin that arrived before spring really started and was threatened with March and early April's traditional big snowstorms. Since then I've learned to provide the birds with enough fatty seeds and suet to help them get through the icy nights. I suspect if the snow continues this large group of blackbirds will join the 100 plus goldfinches and their pals the red polls who have decided that Barbara's diner is a good place to rest up for the next leg. Sort of like a bird version of Tim's?

The video shows many of the little birds, joined by others of their size, chickadees, nuthatches, American tree sparrows, who will mostly move north when it turns hot. The sound when I'm outside - of the little wings fluttering around is mesmerizing. I hear it in my sleep sometimes.

Meantime the hungry hordes await the next serving - noon perhaps? Goodness this could get expensive!

But it's fun to watch. I've noticed migrating ducks on the river, pairs mostly, buffleheads and a couple of mergansers. Canada geese heading north fly high in the sky with only an occasional cry in the evening to let me know they're passing. Two ravens have been hanging about and crows continue to assure me that regardless of the snow, spring is in the air. Hope that you are enjoying some sort of "wild" activity in your neck of the woods.

The deep freeze ends

For many days I'd look out the door and see this - and then it began to turn very cold.

It was -28C with the wind chill - no birds were anywhere to be seen except for a few intrepid chickadees and a pair or two of downy woodpeckers.

It warmed slightly during one day and this lovely creature appeared just outside my window.

Glaring at me for disturbing its hunting the little sharp shinned hawk left in a hurry almost immediately after I got three pictures through the window.

There weren't very many little birds around for it to find lunch and I didn't envy it the search. It was bitter cold.

The dogs of course mostly loved it, and raced around like puppies, even though their walks were much shorter than usual. And it continued to snow every day. Fine powdery stuff, like flour to walk in, it was so heavy and thick.

On the plus side, the last walks of the day around 9 or 10 p.m. were magnificent. They were so still. Sound seems to travel further during such cold for some reason. As the moon grew more full, it seemed to sail through the skies, peaking through clouds, making them gleam and glow white and often full of soft colour. Winds high up tore ragged holes in the fluffy canopy allowing inky midnight blue sky to be seen with the occasional star - distant and cold-looking.

Often I would stand and just stare at the sky, the dogs coming back to encourage me to keep moving, since it was getting colder by the second and eventually paws would feel it.

And then this morning it all changed. It seems like hundreds of little birds - gold finches, redpolls, American tree sparrows - all competing with each other and with the mourning doves, blue jays and woodpeckers for much needed food. And their feathers - beginning to show breeding colours - flashes of pink breasts on the redpolls and yellow on goldfinch bellies

A sun dog greeted me when I opened the door to let the labs and cats out first thing.

May you be safe and warm wherever you are today and always.

Cooler weather and the birds are back

I took this video because all these little birds are just a few of those that flew off my deck railings where I've strewn more seed on this chilly spring day. Unlike the previous two or three weeks, our "summer" heat has disappeared and we have traditional March temperatures - well perhaps a bit above normal, but not summer like.

Today there are showers and the grass is emerald, almost glowing against the grey skies, and the little American goldfinches are just beginning to turn colour - those males that are going to breed or hopefully breed this spring. Robins have been calling their cheerful rain song and hoping for a mate, one is even carrying nesting material into the huge blue spruce that hangs over the driveshed. At least one pair of house finches and a flycatcher appear to have decided this tree is perfect for them as well. It's like a condo complex - multi-storied with many different kinds of birds making homes in its branches at the upper levels. Some go deep into the inner branches and the hummers when they return will find spots to make nests as well.

It's a cool day, but reassuring that we won't be completely dried out by the time June arrives. Hope you enjoy your day wherever you are.

Spring beauty