Saturday, January 9, 2010

After the Storm

American Tree Sparrow

Quite often after a snow storm, one or more Tree Sparrows will show up at my feeder. They are generally uncommon in town and usually not seen at feeders. Every winter this seems to happen. One showed up this afternoon.

Today was calm, crisp and clear. I went for a ride in the countryside north of town late this morning. Small flocks of Snow Buntings and Horned Larks were in the fields. Always better to see after some snow!

Hawks are very scarce this winter--I didn't see any at all until one Red-tailed was flying over a woodlot that I was walking through.

Chickadees, Titmice, and nuthatches were here and there.

I walked through a woodlot north of town. Woodpeckers were noisy, but there were not many other birds.

One low spot-an ancient oxbow-is neat to walk through this time of year. It has lots of Buttonbush and sedges.

There are a couple of Wood Duck boxes within that we erected about seven years ago. One always has a Screech Owl every winter. It sleeps in there during the day and is very dopey. You could handle it if you wanted and it will not open its eyes.

Eastern Screech Owl

Woodpeckers are busy working the trees. Ash trees affected by the Emerald Ash Borer are particulary attractive. They are easy to recognize with the chipped bark.

All Ash trees are now affected. Whether it is in a woodlot, tree line, urban yard or just an isolated tree, the Emerald Ash Borer has found its mark. It is unstoppable!
This time of year we can see bird nests that are usually hidden in the warm season. As well, wasp nests stand out well.

3 comments:

  1. Hello Blake, I recently stumbled across your blog. I love reading it. Thanks for documenting your love of birding and nature. -Dwayne

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  2. Thanks Dwayne! Good to have you along.

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  3. Hi Blake, Nice image of the Screech-Owl in the duck box. I also have noticed that the owls use my box all winter but then stop using it once the leaves come out in the spring (unless they stay to nest).

    Cheers,

    Paul

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