November 8 Cedar waxwings are one of my favorite occasional visitors to our farm. Today Jane and I took the short route through the woods for our morning hike, about three-quarters of a mile instead of the usual mile and a half. Bluebirds were singing on the fences in the hilltop field. As we circled back to descend into the ravine closer to the house a high-pitched, squeaking cacophony announced the presence of a sizable flock of waxwings, I would say around forty birds, seemingly enjoying their gregarious nature in the treetops. Various berries seem to be in abundance this season, and the waxwings were taking advantage of this. What with the consistent rain this year there is still also something for the sheep and horses to eat in the pastures. Walnuts and hickory nuts seem to be in abundance too. But there are no acorns... none. This seems very odd to me. I have seen fluctuations in nut abundance before. But never none, nada, zilch. Has anyone else noticed this, and does anyone have a logical explanation? Was there a complete collapse in the population of the pollinators, whatever they may be? Is this a strictly local phenomenon? The numerous oaks, both "red" and "white" (very generalized timberman's terms I realize) are otherwise healthy, at least for the most part, with no unusual leaf fall until recently. Bob Evans Geologist, etc. Valhalla Acres Fiber Farm Hopewell Township, Muskingum County ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]