“OK, so ravens are as clever as crows in avoiding being hit by a car.” This was my response to a reader who read my last article. He then described the appearance of the two birds. As he talked, I thought, “why would anyone care what kind of bird flew away?” Besides, trying to identify the birds would be a distraction and distracted driving is frowned upon by the police. But if anyone cares, you can glance to see how they leave the road. Ravens take two hops before they fly, whereas crows flap their wings and launch into the air without hopping.
Let’s return to the topic of little known behaviour of wildlife. I have chosen two birds.
The great crested flycatcher, which usually nests in a cavity, incorporates shed snakeskin in its nest. Sometimes a piece of snake skin is hung by the entrance. Perhaps the smell of snake repels some predators.
One of my birdhouses was made of a hollow log. Flycatchers seemed to like it to raise their young. One day I took off the roof to count the young. The nest was lined with plastic!
House wrens are an interesting bird when they build a next. They choose a bird house, pack it with twigs, leaving a small space at the top of the twigs. That space allows them to crawl to the back and build a nest behind the twigs. Not tolerating competition, the fill up adjacent boxes with twigs as well. Any eggs laid in those boxes are crushed and the nestlings die. But the wren’s nest is well protected.
Christmas bird count
The Christmas Bird Count was held on December 16. It was different from any count we have ever done.
Since birds were able to find natural food, due to the lack of snow, there were few of them at the feeders. We depend on the feeders because that is where most of the birds are.
Birds from the north were absent. Because of the warm weather, there was little need for them to begin migrating earlier. Missing were the grosbeaks, redpolls and pine siskins. There was a huge flock of Bohemian waxwings in town, though.
The ruffed grouse, which fed along the side roads all fall, seemed to have disappeared.
Rough legged hawks, which usually migrate south in November, were seen everywhere.
Thanks to all the feeder watchers who contacted us with their counts, and to those driving or walking their routes.
And thanks to Ilka Milne for organizing the event for years now.
