Migrations - the waves of birds

Two or so weeks ago, I was inundated with red-wing black birds and the following week with starlings joining the red wings. This past few days the grackles have arrived en masse - unlike the first few pairs of males that showed up with the other smaller black birds.

They have managed to devour half a 15K bag of mixed seed so far... in a short time. Because the weather has turned cold again, as it does in March and April in Central Ontario, I've been feeding them regularly. It's fun to watch them stretching their necks up and calling, sounding like rusty clotheslines.

Two large crows have joined this pack? herd? flock? of black birds. Not a murder, but a pair that regularly arrive in the morning and let the world know they are here. Two mated ravens who are also regulars float by occasionally though appear to be much more interested in the act of reproduction, (what a short burst of energy that is in mid-air) than in joining their black feathered pals.

I know that some people don't like crows and ravens and go out with their shotguns and try to remove them. They must be appalled at the number of birds that congregate in my trees and lawns, well over 150 I figure.

But it is fun to watch the flights, the restless manoevering and the search or patient waiting for food. They do hang about in the trees waiting for me to spread a container of food for the. And I get to watch the show... Quite a treat don't you think?

Enjoy your day today.  Hope you had a happy Easter or Passover if you celebrate either, and that this new month brings you interesting bits of nature to watch, to wonder about and to make your day brighter.

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.

More signs of fall - its quiet beauty, not fully aflame yet

Yesterday evening I took the dogs for a meander - I was tired and didn't care to walk far so we wandered the pasture, but a niggle made me take my camera with me. The starlings were gathering at the north end of the property. I could hear the chuckles and gossip as they moved in small to large flocks from tree to my neighbours' lawn, across the road to the farm pasture where the cows were peacefully grazing. Not one of the cows raised their head or took any notice. I thought about what is to come.

The golden glow of the setting sun adds soft colour to the phlox and goldenrod against the drive shed wall.

More colour lit by the last rays of the sun, and then...

it quickly ended as the fireball slipped below the hill across the valley, leaving an apricot sky. Tired, yes I was very tired, but somehow at peace with all the beauty around me.

I sometimes wonder if others find sunsets as peaceful, or are they energizing, signalling party after dark as the crickets and night creatures begin to sing and take over?