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Fantastic activity in the yard this AM!
- To: carolinabirds@duke.edu
- Subject: Fantastic activity in the yard this AM!
- From: ncaves@ren.stsi.net (Susan Campbell)
- Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 11:41:34 -0400
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
Carolinabirders,
Although I am not prone to sending these types of reports, today I just
cannot help myself. Being fortunate enough that I planned to work at home,
I was able to witness a spectacle of feeding in my backyard this morning
from 7:15 until around 9:30 AM. Most of the activity was in the 5 dogwood
trees that have been loaded with berries. At least 200 robins took turns
precariously perching on the ends of the small branches plucking fruits as
well as drinking/bathing in my birdbath. There was also a small group of
Cedar Waxwings eating from the trees but in addition, I counted nine other
species: Common Flicker (3), Red-bellied Woodpecker (2), Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker (2), Blue Jay (3),Northern Mockingbird (1), Eastern Bluebird (3),
European Starling (4), Brown-headed Cowbird (3) and best of all, Rusty
Blackbird (6)! The Rusty's were new to the yard and the first I have seen
in the Sandhills. All appeared to be adults but had varying amounts of
rusty feather tips. The light was not great (given the overcast day) so it
took views through my scope to see the rust on all but one bird.
Interestingly, none of them seemed adept at eating such a large berry
without crushing it first. Quite a few were dropped in the process but
apparently worth the effort since they fed in the trees for over two hours.
There were other birds gleaning insects from the dogwoods too: Downy
Woodpeckers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Carolina Wrens,
Tufted Titmice, Carolina Chickadees, and Brown-headed Nuthatches. I have
always felt that dogwoods are great for wildlife but this is the best
testament I have ever witnessed!!
The usual finches and sparrows were also picking up seed around my feeders
although in greater numbers than I have seen to-date. I would not be
surprised if the 'safety in numbers' theory had something to do with that
situation.
I do not know if all of the birds were feeding madly as a result of the
dropping barometric pressure or just because of the plethora of food.
Since there is still a good number of berries on the trees, you can bet I
will be waiting and watching out my windows tomorrow morning in case of a
repeat performance!
Susan M. Campbell
Whispering Pines, NC
ncaves@utinet.net