More on the miracle of migration; a rare loon visits

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 19 November 2009 16:06

Several people have told me stories about how they have looked out a window in May and seen a hummingbird flying around the very spot where, the year before, a nectar feeder had been hanging. Nothing else drew the bird to that spot — except the memory of a food source it had used many months and thousands of miles before. Clearly, those birds were returning to precisely the same location they had left seven or eight months earlier.

The miracle and mysteries of migration

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 12 November 2009 11:29

The miracle and mysteries of migration

In all of nature, one of the most remarkable phenomena is bird migration, the fall version of which is nearing its end. The concept of a creature, often weighing only an ounce or two, traveling thousands of miles, frequently at night, is astounding. Some insects, such as the Monarch Butterfly, such mammals as caribou, some bats and mice, and fishes like salmon and eels also practice migration. However, no other class of living things uses migration as extensively as do birds, the only group of creatures with the equipment, size, strength, lifespan, and intelligence to travel long distances.

Migrant drama, frolicking flickers, sweet-toothed squirrels

Written by Jack Sanders
Friday, 06 November 2009 14:06

Claire Gladstone writes a couple weeks ago, “Sitting here at my desk, looking out the window, there has been an amazing show! It is the fall migration being performed in several acts...

“Act 1, Tufted Titmouse, first juncos of the season, Phoebes and, I think, a few kinglets and Yellow-rumped Warblers.

“Act 2, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and Flickers! Where is the Pileated?

“Act 3, A chorus of Robins, Cedar Waxwings, purple House Finches, and bluebirds!

“The Grand Finale was the Belted Kingfisher flying across the pond!

“Fall and spring migration are always so amazing!”

A pair of pileateds dancing around a tree: Rare sight

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 29 October 2009 13:49

Seeing one Pileated Woodpecker in your back yard is always a treat. However, seeing two — out of mating season — was a special treat that Bruno Santini of Mount Kisco, N.Y., had recently, thanks to Columbus Day.

“My wife and I have really been lucky to have had a large variety of birds visiting us all summer long,” Bruno writes. “The trick is to give them high quality bird seed in the proper feeder placed in the proper spot. Along with blackberries, raspberries, mulberry trees, and having a garden, which also helps in attracting and keeping birds coming back.

How carbon emissions affect the birds: Changes seen

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 22 October 2009 14:03

For some years now, ornithologists have been discussing the impact of climate destabilization on bird populations everywhere, notes Patrice Gillespie of the local Sierra Club chapter.

“To help raise awareness of how shifting and more extreme weather patterns are adversely affecting migrations, food sources and breeding habitat, some of 350.org’s International Climate Day of Action events being planned for this Saturday around the world have highlighted birds.”

In the Norwalk River Valley, birders will gather Saturday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Wilton’s Allen’s Meadows, one of Connecticut’s 25 best birding spots during fall migrations, to check on fall migrants.

The visitor who wasn’t from Tennessee

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 15 October 2009 10:52

Todd Becker of Revere Drive in Ridgefield had just read the BirdNotes column on window strikes when he had his own experience with an unexpected visitor. He sent along the accompanying picture “of a very lucky yearling Tennessee Warbler that flew into our window during his migration south.”

Counting backyard birds helps scientists

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 08 October 2009 11:01

If you are an enthusiastic and observant feeder of the birds, you can help scientists track changes in bird numbers and movements from year to year.

Project FeederWatch, a citizen-science program from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, runs Nov. 14 through early April. Taking part is easy. Anyone can count the numbers and kinds of birds at their feeders and enter their information on the FeederWatch Web site.

How to prevent window crashes, common in fall

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 01 October 2009 11:01

Autumn seems to be a time of year when window strikes by birds are common. The lowering angle of the sun is creating mirror-like reflections on glass, making some windows look like the wide, open spaces.

Jacquie Littlejohn of Weston has experienced the problem and, like all of us, finds it distressful — especially after she had already taken steps to dissuade the birds from colliding with her windows.

Birds that hang together: Season of flocks

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 24 September 2009 13:06

With breeding season past, most birds are gathering in groups or flocks, some to migrate and others spend the winter here. Often those flocks are mixed, containing more than one species. For instance, chickadees, titmice and Song Sparrows often hang out together.

Selecting the right bird seed: Look for quality

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 17 September 2009 10:55

Picking the right bird seed can be puzzling, says Joan Winter of Connecticut Audubon, whose very name reflects the approaching season when most people like to feed the birds.

Whether you go to garden supply or hardware stores, supermarket or bird shop, or even nature and Audubon centers, there seem to be countless varieties of wild bird feeds available.  Here’s Connecticut Audubon’s take on wild bird food, provided by Ms. Winter.