We’ve had an unusually warm winter here in the northeast, and from what (little) I understand, this isn’t restricted just to the northeastern part of the country. Yesterday on a financial radio show I heard that we’ve had the least amount of snow fall on record so far (the piece was really about the ski/snowboard industry, hence being on the financial program). This news wasn’t much of a surprise; apparently there’s even a term for it: “snow debt”.
I’m really conflicted with this unseasonable weather – I’m not a fan of having tons of snow around for weeks on end (like last year), but it doesn’t feel right all the same. The birds seem a bit thrown off as well. I’ve been hearing a larger than usual amount of singing and calling around our house in the mornings and evenings – two Carolina Wrens were dueling it out Sunday morning and I’ve been hearing Chickadees singing for weeks (not the “chicka-dee-dee-dee” call but their sweet “phoebe” song) along with the occasional Titmouse. Barred Owls were calling the other night; I don’t usually expect to hear them for another few weeks. Maybe all the bird activity isn’t all that unusual and I’m just hyper-aware of it because I’m so focused on the weather. And given that changes in daylight length are as much a trigger (if not more?) as temperature changes for birds to start calling, perhaps the warmer temps have nothing to do with it. But I’m not completely convinced.
BTW… what would a bird post be without a cute picture to go along with it? Here’s our obligatory cute bird photo (we saw a bunch of these guys [Ring-billed Gulls] down in NY over New Year’s at Harbor Island).
Photo Copyright Withywindle Nature Programs, 2012
How about any of you? Has anyone else noticed an increase in bird activity this month?
I live in western NY and I have very few american goldfinch at my thistle feeders as compared to years past, but I haven’t really noticed anything unusual as in the spring calls of the dees and there are still the collective flocks of downy, dee, titmice, creeper etc. The only thing different is that the waterfowl can be on the open pond in the yard. But I only have about 7 years into my explorations here, so I am a novice. Oh, I do have a couple of flying squirrels visiting the feeders as in year’s past. LOVE THEM!!!!!!….Michelle
SO lucky!! I love flying squirrels too – wish they would visit our feeders… I’ve heard somone else say that they’ve seen a lower number of birds at their feeder as well this season. Since we don’t yet have snow cover, I’m sure they’re still finding good natural food sources.
I actually noticed it this morning on my walk from the parking lot into work…two chickadees singing their two toned tweet (which I like to say is them singing…”my tree!”) from opposite ends of the parking lot. Clear territorial behavior. I thought maybe the weather had something to do with it too.
The snow’s a-coming! I wonder what this weekend will sound like after our storm…