FOR THE BIRDS

February 1992

By

Helen O'Shea

Evening Grosbeaks are all over the area. Rovie MacDonald told me that she had a flock of 100 Grosbeaks at her feeder on Havenside. Warren Bagnell has even more at his feeders on Beatrice Street. Ile flock also visits Susarm Myers on Upper Warren and my feeder on Holland Avenue.

Prior to February 1st the birds were few and far between. The 100 centimeters of snow is a boon to bird watchers. Our greedy little feathered friends are at the bird feeders around town looking for easy pickings. On February 6 a fat Fox Sparrow came by - a harbinger of spring no doubt. Ive also had 2 White-Throated Sparrows, 3 Song Sparrows, a Tree Sparrow, 2 Blue Jays, 5 Black-capped Chickadees, 26 Juncoes, 26 American Gold Finch, 100 Evening Grosbeaks, 4 male and female Purple Finch, 8 Pine Siskins, a Redpoll, a Bald Eagle, which was circling very low over the house earlier this week, and a red squirrel. Susann Myers has the town hawk these days. She says that it sits quietly in one of the spruce trees, effectively keeping all the other birds away. Susann also saw a Hermit Thrush on January 17. Arthur Covey, on Havenside, is feeding the birds as well. He told Bill and I last week that he had 15 crows at his feeder. He gives them scraps and cracked corn.

Two fat Robins showed up at my feeder last week. They've been around Louisbourg since Christmas. Carter Stevens told me that he saw a robin when he was snowshoeing in Big Lorraine. Mrs. Gray's grandson David, who watches the birds on Lorway Street, also saw a robin and was concerned that the winter weather might harm it. Don't worry David, the robins seems healthy and if they can get food they will survive the winter.

Gwen Lunn attempted to revive a Golden Crowned Kinglet brought to her after the storm. Unfortunately the shock of the storm was too much for the bird and he expired overnight.

Helen O’Shea

Extracted from © The Seagull, Helen O'Shea, For the Birds

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