FOR THE BIRDS

January 1994

By

Helen O'Shea

On Dec. 12 a mature Bald Eagle was perched on the rocks at the Fortress Barachois.  On a sunny Sunday, Dec. 19 Bill and I saw 4 female and one male white-winged crossbills eating seeds from cones on the alders at Gerrat's Brook.  This was exciting confirmation of Pearl Magee's sighting last month.  The Christmas snowstorm brought many more birds to the feeders as did the much colder temperatures.  Residents at the O'Shea feeders have been 3 red-breasted nuthatches, 5 black-capped chickadees, 2 mourning doves, an immature and 2 mature white-throated sparrows, 15 juncos, and three Blue Jays.  Pearl Magee called to report an immature white-throated sparrow.  The streakings on the breast are the identifying marker.

Bill Bussey saw a Bohemian Waxwing in late December and Susann Myers had 5 Bohemian Waxwings in her yard on January 3.  She also came within touching distance of a Dovekie that was disoriented and resting on the back road to the Fortress site at dusk on Jan.5.  She thinks that it may have landed on the icy road thinking that the sheen was really a body of water.Several visitors were seen at our feeders:  7 starlings on Dec.27; 28 pine siskins Dec. 15; 2 boreal chickadees in late December and a resident song sparrow who arrived at the end of the month.  January first was a real highlight.  It was sunny and cold.  Warren Bagnell had 20 Evening Grosbeaks arrive at his feeders.  This is the largest flock that has been seen since the fall.  2 Redpolls arrived at my feeder and stayed for several days. New Year's Day afternoon we had a male and a female Hairy Woodpecker on our platform feeder and in two trees in our yard for 20 minutes.  We were able to enjoy the visit and make a positive identification by looking up all data in our bird books.  The HAIRY WOODPECKER is 24 cm. long--larger than the 17 cm. long Downy Woodpecker.  The main identifier is THE OUTER TAIL FEATHERS. On the Hairy Woodpecker these outer tail feathers are entirely white.  On the Downy Woodpecker the outer tail feathers have faint bars or spots.

On a rainy, mild Jan. 2 Bill Bussey had approximately 60 American goldfinch land in his yard.  Jan. 3 saw 16 pigeons flying over Lorway St.  Roadwork prevented their dining at Greta Beaver's.  10 crows were searching in Betty Beaver's yard.

Remember to call Helen O'Shea at 733-2873 if you see any interesting birds between now and February 8.

Helen O’Shea

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

Return to the Previous page

Retour à la  page précédente