Linda's For the Birds: Of Birds and Blizzards
Dark-eyed Junco.
Photo credit: Jillian Weislo
By Linda Gangi
The wind howled Sunday night, wiping snow into sculptured drifts as temperatures dropped into the low 20s. When dawn broke Monday morning, I peered out the window towards the bird feeder. I was worried that it would be empty and wondered how the birds would survive such a weather event that dropped at least two feet of snow in my yard, pushing drifts upwards to four feet.
To my relief, those amazingly hardy little creatures were already at the feeder. Think of it, most small birds weight just a few grams, how would we fare out of doors in the elements all night? One by one they showed up at the feeder. My tube feeder’s holes were plugged up so food was limited, but they made do with the rest.
The Red-breasted Nuthatch and Downy Woodpecker got comfortable on the suet feeder, while the other birds scratched in the flat feeder for morsels. Carolina Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, American Goldfinches, Mourning Doves, House Finches and White-breasted Nuthatches all took their turn.
Photo credit: Linda Gangi
To ensure they had enough food, I opened the back door and laid a bowl of water and a tray full of seed in the snow; they fully took advantage of the offering. I love watching these endearing little creatures, so delicate, so resourceful. I am always in awe of their survival skills. Later in the morning, I finally plucked up the courage and waded through the drifts of snow to the bird feeder to clean out the access holes and fill up the flat feeder. Unable to move past that point, I made a hasty retreat back to my sanctuary, to await the crews that would dig me out.
From the window I was able to enjoy the birds feasting. I had nowhere to go and nothing to do and was as content as I could be. I’m still waiting for the Pine Warbler that visited last year during the blizzard; I saw it just a few weeks ago, so I’m hopeful.
Linda Gangi is an avid birder, environmentalist, and nature lover. She belongs to the Southern Ocean Birding Group, Atlantic Audubon, and New Jersey Audubon.
Previous birding exclusives:
- Linda's For the Birds: What is that bird at my feeder? - Part 2
- Don's Jersey Birding: A Birder’s Time of Year for Reflection
- WNJ Exclusive: What is that bird at my feeder?
- Don's Jersey Birding: Crazy like a fox...sparrow
- Don's Jersey Birding: The Raptors of Route 17
- WNJ Exclusive: Birding New Jersey in winter
Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 12/28/2010 7:00 AM 
Categories: Linda's For the Birds
Tags: red breasted nuthatch downy woodpecker suet carolina chickadees darkeyed junco whitethroated sparrow blizzard house finches american goldfinches mourning doves
Categories: Linda's For the Birds
Tags: red breasted nuthatch downy woodpecker suet carolina chickadees darkeyed junco whitethroated sparrow blizzard house finches american goldfinches mourning doves
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