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Life at Boomer Lake with Deb, Tuesday February 25, 2014

Updated on February 26, 2014
Male Bird of Paradise Displaying for Female
Male Bird of Paradise Displaying for Female | Source

Field Notes

Climate Change Affects the Entire World Now

Climate change is even affecting tropical birds atop a mountain in New Guinea, where even the peak of the mountain is not enough for them to escape. Warming temperatures are even pushing them off the top.

Source

New Guinea's Birds of Paradise

Most of the birds of Paradise are found on New Guinea. All 39 species transform the “ordinary” into the extraordinary and are the most remarkable birds that I have never seen. Join me in uncovering their secrets, the miracles of evolution. They are living textbooks in the world of the uncanny.

Oil Pipeline
Oil Pipeline | Source

How Far Will We Go For Money?

Is this really worth it, for one major irruptive year to see Snowy Owls as far south as FL? I think the love of oil has gone too far, as well as those people in the House and Senate that are making money over the lives of us and our animals. What happens when there are no more constituents?

Not only that, who wants to look at this ugly thing that is going to cause an oil spill somewhere along the 1,700 miles. Do you want this in your backyard?

Male Red-winged Blackbird
Male Red-winged Blackbird | Source

Put the Brakes on Spring!

This week I have encountered a number of assorted birds, who are telling me that ‘spring has sprung!’ Sorry, my little friends, it has NOT. We are in for more cold weather, especially in the north, and some of the Middle Atlantic States, not to mention other areas of the world. It is happening, all areas are in flux, and if I were you, I’d just sit tight, bide my time, and ride it out as best you can, for there is nothing that you can do about it.

Male Canvasback
Male Canvasback | Source
Bufflehead in Flight
Bufflehead in Flight | Source

The Ducks of Winter

I’ve seen plenty of ducks—Canvasbacks, Ruddy Ducks, Mallards, the Buffleheads, Lesser Scaups, and a few others. They don’t know what to do at this point, and last year saw them long gone at this time. The most important thing to them right now is the water level, and I’m beginning to wonder if we just might not see some unusual ducklings, unless we manage to get out of this deep freeze. Nonetheless, I would like to be selfish, and treat you to something different this year.

Great Blue Heron in Flight
Great Blue Heron in Flight | Source

Great Blue Heron Clan

The Great Blue Herons are in the rookery, for the most part. A few of the first years and a couple of oldsters are in the area of the Southern Cove and the shelter of Goose Island. Fortunately, the ice has melted, so these few can go about their normal business, and have been giving me a few interesting shots.

Cedar Waxwing Portrait
Cedar Waxwing Portrait | Source
Male Northern Cardinal
Male Northern Cardinal | Source

Our Winter Lineup of Songbirds

The songbirds, however, have been simply insisting that now is the time to get down to business. Who am I to argue, for they are just doing what their biological clocks are telling them to do. There are times like these, when they pair up early, and I’m hoping that this doesn’t happen, as it will throw nature out of whack. If there are youngsters too early, they just won’t have what is necessary to eat, and first clutches will fall by the wayside. I hope that the weather will hold out, as more and more of the American Robins, Northern Cardinals, and Cedar Waxwings come to join us at Boomer Lake.

Song Sparrow
Song Sparrow | Source

Insistent Birds

A few days ago, during a 65 degree afternoon, I had my back door open at the house. While I was reading, I heard a rustling about and when I looked up, a male Song Sparrow was after nesting material. I had an old nest and a bit of yarn in a suet cage at the ready. Just as I was setting up my camera, the sparrow got what he required, and made an exit out the back door. You know how it is, sometimes these things tend to happen, but I was SO close at providing you a bird’s-eye-view of nature at work. The funny thing is, another sparrow came in last year, but at that time, I had nothing available.

American Robin
American Robin | Source

Keep Our Birds Safe

Since the birds are in neighborhoods and are preparing for spring, I’d like to mention the need for extra food and water. Winter is a trying time for birds in the cold, and they need extra energy to prepare for nesting season, as well as trying to keep warm in this cold, some of it rather severe, depending upon where you are located. Black oil sunflower seeds are about the best, and if you don’t like seed hulls in your yard, hearts of seed can be purchased. Not only that, wet seeds and hulls can mold, and make our avian friends quite sick and kill them. Therefore, it is important to dispose of old material where its healthiness is questionable.

Give those birdhouses from last year a good cleaning with a weak bleach solution, if you haven’t done that already, along with the birdbaths that you’ve gotten at the ready. I like to clean my birdbaths every night with a weak bleach solution, but I never use soap. Allow them to dry thoroughly, as the bleach will dissipate, causing the birds no harm.

Here's Where to Find Boomer Lake!

Keep your eyes on the ground and your head in the clouds. Happy birding, and here’s looking forward to a new and wonderful year.

Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron | Source
Male Red-winged Blackbird
Male Red-winged Blackbird | Source
Bufflehead Pair(Male- Bottom)
Bufflehead Pair(Male- Bottom) | Source

© 2014 Deb Hirt

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