Coping With Weather Stress

Temperatures were all over the place this weekend as a lovely spring day gave way to a nasty winter storm (and we shifted over 40 degrees F in just over 24 hours).  And the storm glazed everything in ice.  This was no doubt a rotten deal for the backyard birds and they displayed all of the typical signs of dealing with a raw cold.  For one, they fed like crazy.  All our feeders were well depleted when I made the homeward trip.  And for another, they were often puffed up, like this Yellow Rumped Warbler, to put some air between their skin and the outside conditions.  And for another, they rested between feeding runs in branches or brush piles where the local temperature could be a few degrees warmer.  I'm sure most are well equipped to get through the night, but I feel for them.  What a crummy night lies ahead!

After the Ice Storm

Those of us at Cary BirdCam took a hit by a powerful winter storm Wednesday into this evening, one that vexed us but had important ramifications for our birds.  At sunrise we could see a layer of ice encrusting everything.  And the confused birds were starting to deal with a force sealing off food sources.  Just for a while.  A few throws of sunflower seed on the ground solved the problem and the birds seemed noticeably relaxed all day.  Food and water were plentiful at our estate, and well known.  So life was a little easier.  I'm sure less fortunate birds had to work a little harder.  Most made it.  Ours just got a little extra lift!

Curiosities in the Snow

One of the very few (IMHO) benefits of snow is that it permits the observer to quickly size up the behavior of birds on the ground.  One can examine the tracks laid down after a day and understand where are "hot spots", what areas of ground are less interesting, and how birds move along various pathways.  I learned quite a bit yesterday about apparently fabulous places in the alley on our east side: there are two places lots of birds checked out.  In contrast, one whole section of yard was of no interest whatever.  And I can definitely see what shrubs were the best hangouts.  Such fun!  soon it will melt and I will need to be a better observer.  But now I have some useful data in doing so!

They Knew Where to Go

Some folks throw out some seed, hopefully, only in situations like this.  And they wonder why the birds don't show up.  For me, it took a minute or two between casting some sunflower seed on the scratch ground and seeing a dozen or more ground feeders attack the goodies.  Birds need time to become aware of and mentally category resources.  And it is places like mine where food is dependably present that they turn to first when the weather tanks.  Today, our birds were rewarded with the expected food, cover and water and  I'll flatter myself hoping I gave them a little edge in surviving a tough day in the Piedmont.  And there will more tomorrow.  They can depend upon it!

Here We Go Again

As I write this the Great Southern Winter Storm of 2014 is upon us (I refuse to call it by the name chosen by a certain national weather network!) and we await the accumulation of the first 1"+ snowfall since Christmas season 2012.  The tube feeder birds will hardly notice the change but this event could be an issue for the ground feeders, but they seem to be pretty versatile and will do alright in the end.  Although I may toss some extra seed out in the morning as I size up shoveling work.  I don't yet know if it's going to be little or a lot.  Probably just enough to make driving "complicated".  We shall see what comes of this latest little treat.