OHIO-BIRDS Archives

February 2007

OHIO-BIRDS@LISTSERV.MIAMIOH.EDU

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Subject:
From:
"Robert S. Morton" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Robert S. Morton
Date:
Thu, 8 Feb 2007 09:35:38 -0500
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A large flock of BH Cowbirds have visited my backyard bird feeding station 
for 4 days now. They suddenly appeared. I have counted close to 70, with a 
handful of few European Starlings and Common Grackles mixed in with them. 
Still, I enjoy the antics of the valuable birds species, who scurry in to 
feed when the hoard of Cowbirds takes a break: Carolina Wrens land on the 
bird feeder, hop up on the glass pane and squeeze into the inside of the 
feeder bin; Blue Jays steal shelled peanuts from the squirrel feeder and 
enjoy picking them apart; WB Nuthatches snatch up the black oil sunflower 
seeds and wedge them into my neighbor's shingles; Hairy and Downey 
Woodpeckers go upside down under the suet feeder; eight Cardinals continue 
to add color to the bleak winter landscape- they hang around my feeder all 
day and are the first early morning and last evening feeders of the day 
(Why is that?); a lone Song Sparrow has been feeding for a week now; Dark 
Eyed Juncos wait patiently in my fir trees until the Cowbird hoard is 
finished; the resident Sharp-shinned hawk rockets into the Cowbird swarm, 
but is unsuccessful, although last week he nailed a large rat feeding on 
thrown-out kitchen scraps on my compost pile; the plump Mourning Doves 
picking at the cracked corn I put on the ground, oblivious to the Sharp-
shin hiding in my fir tree, not remembering that he nailed one a week ago, 
in the same spot they now feast at, and ate it atop my garage (down and 
feathers filled the backyard); and the squirrels still conniving a way to 
get around my squirrel baffles. Robert in Fremont, Ohio

"The very idea of a bird is a symbol and a suggestion to the poet. A bird 
seems to be at the top of the scale, so vehement and intense his 
life. . . . The beautiful vagabonds, endowed with every grace, masters of 
all climes, and knowing no bounds -- how many human aspirations are 
realised in their free, holiday-lives -- and how many suggestions to the 
poet in their flight and song!" 
John Burroughs (1837 - 1921), Birds and Poets, 1887

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