Is it too early to talk about Spring and birds? I sure hope not. Please enjoy some thoughts on all the happenings going on around the birdfeeder in today’s post: Time for Birds.
Time For Birds
It’s March. Phew! We got through February… The birds visiting our feeder in the early morning hours, become more numerous by the day. Being an early riser has multiple benefits. Watching the birds, cup of tea or coffee in hand, against the stillness and beauty of a promising, cloudless sunrise, is right up there as one of my favorites.
From my unscientific vantage point, four species of birds come our way (thus far in the season). It’s early, still winter really, and we’re in a densely populated area, so not exactly an ideal bird habitat, but we still have birds!
English Sparrow
The English house sparrow is our most frequent visitor. They come in groups of a half dozen or so at a time. Boisterous, aggressive, their behavior reminds me of band of teenage ruffians. They’re not necessarily looking for trouble, it just seems to follow them wherever they go… A ravenous appetite, they peck away like mad at the suet block and any bread crumbs this (well-intentioned, but ill-advised human) leaves out. And, like little punks, they fight… they fight each other… they fight other bird species… they fight the big bread crumbs until they are smaller bread crumbs. It looks exhausting.
A family relative and avid birdwatcher described English sparrows as “devil birds.” Subtle. They’re an invasive, non-native species to North America. Furthermore, they drive away other bird species (pretty, native ones that people like!) by destroying or commandeering their nesting sites. They will also attack other birds… geez, these little buggers are tough!
European Starling
The European starling swoops down to our feeder and “yard” in groups of four or six. They’re two or three times the size of an adult English sparrow, so king-of-the-castle honors go to the starling upon arrival. The starling groups are clearly more organized. I’ve observed on multiple occasions one starling of the group perched in the dogwood tree as the others feed below. He/she acts as sentinel, as the others switch from suet block pecking to ground foraging. The starling often scoots around the “yard” puncturing the earth, an effective ground aerator if you ask me! It’s feathers are jet black with an iridescent sheen, like oil on water. They’re beautiful!
Starlings, unfortunately are also invasive and non-native to North America. Shucks! According to some very scientific internet research, they can also be quite aggressive, moving in large flocks that can “devastate” a crop or feeder. Hey, I don’t mind ’em.
American Robin
Year-to-date, one American robin has visited our yard (on my watch). This fills me with joy! Robins are one of the most abundant birds of New England. They always remind me of spring and the freedom and gaiety of playing out in the backyard as a child.
Downy Woodpecker
In the past month or so, I’ve seen one downy woodpecker. He fed amongst the sparrows, I almost didn’t distinguish him from the others. His distinct “woodpecker a-peckerin'” (very scientific) motion gave him away. I was pretty elated when I positively identified him… woodpeckers in the city!
Well, I guess I fibbed… As I’m writing this, a large blue jay screeched its presence at the feeder! Oh man, it’s really starting to feel like Spring around here!
This Sounds Like an Awful Lot of Birdwatching
Yes… yes, it does.
One might ask: how does an able-bodied, (relatively) sound of mind, breathing, functioning 30-something have available leisure time to engage in such frivolity?
Good rhetorical question, Batman.
The answer lies in the fact that I recently resigned from my former employer.
The details of my departure might be interesting or helpful to some, but they are not to be expounded upon in this post.
Any time wasted lingering in the past, stewing upon negativity or rehashing hypothetical conversations is for the birds. (I’m so, so sorry, had to. You realize I wrote this entire post so that I could make that joke, right?)
Then, what do I want to contemplate… spend my precious time, energy and bandwidth on?
Happiness. Family. Value. Purpose. Who am I surrounding myself with? Where am I’m going? What do I care about? Are my thoughts aligned with my words? Are my words aligned with my actions?
These reflections are more essential.
Our Birdfeeder
Our birdfeeder is a destination for a diverse set of characters. Most are just average birds, looking for a quick bite and some sanctuary. They hang for a bit, eat, socialize and they are on their way.
Some can be a bit rough around the edges and a squabble here and there is fairly routine.
There are foreigners! Oh, my! Are they even supposed to be here?!
The traffic of people and cars builds as the sun climbs and by 8AM, the cacophony of motors, horns and intermittent sirens reminds the observer exactly where they are situated: in a city.
Related:
Conclusion
It’s human to want order, neatness, and then organization and simplicity, but reality is messy. Real life is a swirling, complex behemoth, subject to a paradigm shifting meteorite impact at any given time, without notice.
I can’t control it, nor should I want to. I can’t necessarily always shape those around me, or choose with whom I interact, or…
I can only manage my response to stimulus. I decide how to react (or not react) to ideas, people, etc.
This insight is as freeing as a bird in flight.
