for the birds

earlier this winter, I was a bit concerned as the number of birds coming to the backyard bird feeders dropped off considerably. normally the two feeders which we fill with mixed seed and sunflower seed are emptied by the birds on a daily basis. the reduction of the number of birds visiting the feeders was so alarming, I thought maybe there was something wrong with the seed. at one point, I even took the 50 pound bag of the black oil sunflower seed back to the nursery where I purchased it and exchanged it for another bag. I was convinced that there was something wrong with the seed. finally, a couple weeks ago the birds returned - now and it's back to bird business as usual. however, things aren't quite back to normal, we have one new bird coming by for occasional visits. however, this bird isn't interested in the various types of bird seed served, rather given her breed I'd say she's more interested in some of the diners - other birds or even squirrels.

this isn't the first year our back yard has been frequented by raptors. last year we had a red tailed hawk who made regular visits. in fact, one visit I was able to capture a picture of him taking off with his meal. you can see this to the right - I don't know if you can see it, but he has a pigeon in his talons.

this winter one of the raptor visitors is a peregrine falcon. for some reason, I find the fact that a peregrine is dropping by even more exciting than the hawks that come by. maybe it's some long held yearning to be a falconer - remember that wonderful movie ladyhawke? often peregrines migrate to warmer climates in the winter, however, it seems with human encroachment and perhaps global climate change, more birds are taking up permanent residence in locations which were once just summer territories.

our house is situated fairly close to the rocky river reservation, one of the parks in the cleveland metroparks system - or as locals call this group of parks, the 'emerald necklace.' because of it's massive shale cliffs and all the bridges that span the park, the rocky river reservation is an attractive habitat for peregrines. however, I guess at this time of year, they enjoy eating out and visit feeding stations of homes nearby.

I don't think I'll ever know the answer to the mystery of why the birds stopped coming by our feeding station here on avenue c. maybe it was bad seed or maybe it was something else. but whatever, the birds are back and we find much enjoyment feeding and watching the backyard birds.

speaking of watching. head's up to everyone in the united states tonight is the night! as part of the american masters series, pbs will be airing the documentary pete seeger: the power of song.


photos: top three pictures taken 25 february, 2008; bottom picture taken 24 december 2006 ~ all from our house on avenue c. don't forget you can click on picture to enlarge.