Birds | wordsfromanneli

January 13, 2024
by wordsfromanneli 45 Comments

A Cool Change

A thin layer of snow covers the usual feeding grounds of ducks, geese, and swans. While the nearby preferred agricultural fields are frozen over with snow and ice, the birds find food and shelter on the edges of the salt water.

The estuary of the Courtenay River holds a lot of bird life. Depending on the wind direction, waterfowl can find sheltered indentations in the shoreline where they can forage for food in the shallows. Rather than feeding on seeds and bits of plant roots when cold weather freezes their usual fields, they make the switch to marine vegetation and bits of animal matter (shrimp, crustaceans) that they find in the tidal areas of the shore. Once in a while, a faint ray of sunshine warms their backs on this southern exposure in spite of the cold day.

Looking upriver at Comox Bay

Looking outwards to the spit

Mainly widgeons and dunlins.

In these very short video clips you can see a swarm of what I think are dunlins flying in to land near the beach. Although it is a very small flock, it reminds me of those murmurations of birds, when they fly so close together in an incomprehensible formation without crashing into each other. If you make the videos full screen you might be able to see the fine snowflakes blowing around as well

These mallards are close to shore for several reasons. They have slightly more cover in case of predators (better than being “a sitting duck” in the open water), and there is probably more food available in the shallows where they can probe the sand with their bills and find small beach creatures to eat. At high tide there is also marine vegetation that is available only at this level, lifted up by the rising water.

They are in survival mode for now, waiting for a good low pressure southeast system that will bring wind, rain, and warmer temperatures, thawing out the farm fields that offer their preferred diet. I hope they are all lucky ducks.

December 29, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 23 Comments

Hawkeye

The row of trees provides a perch,

For birds of prey whose sharp eyes search,

The flooded fields that are so fine,

For waterfowl who wish to dine.

The foggy drippy days drag on,

I ate a mouse, but now it’s gone,

It’s not enough to fill the gap,

Too cold and wet to take a nap.

These leafless trees don’t camouflage,

No chilly bones do they assuage,

Perhaps a meal of ducks is best,

But snatching one will be a test.

The watchful drakes stand on alert

While others forage in the dirt,

“Don’t bother wasting energy,”

They tell the hawk, “We’ll just fly free.”

December 1, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 57 Comments

First of December, First Snow

Evening darkens, snow clouds loom,

Heavy grayness hovers,

Every creature, filled with gloom,

Looks for extra covers.

Snowflakes drifting in the breeze,

Flutter to the ground,

Blanketing the dens with ease,

Whiteness all around.

Morning sunlight filters through,

Birds emerge from shrubs,

Now they wonder what to do,

Where are all the grubs?

“Where’s my breakfast?” they all cry,

“How will I stay warm?”

Shivering with cold, they sigh,

This is not the norm.

Robins tweet their invitations,

Gathering for flight,

Needing lower elevations,

Snow-free woods in sight.

Holly berries, mountain ash,

Worms and bugs to eat,

Having fled the winter’s lash,

Birds escape defeat.

Though it’s pretty, snow reminds,

How cold it will be,

Warm vacation, I must find,

Lovely sun and sea.

Meanwhile Emma snuggles in,

Fuzzy blanket warm,

Softly curled up to her chin,

“Now bring on the storm.”

November 24, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 38 Comments

Owly Nights

Stay hidden now, my furry friend,

Be still as you can be,

Though warning sounds that night air rend,

Send chills through you and me.

The great horned owl gets hungry too,

He craves a juicy meal,

Let’s make him think you’re tough to chew,

Your flavour’s no big deal.

Instead he sits up on that branch,

And tries to scare some rat,

Whose face with terror then will blanch,

And that, they say, is that.

You can hear the great horned owl shrieking, trying to scare the rat (or anything that moves). He’s hard to see in the dark, but watch to the end and you’ll hear him screeching back and forth to his girlfriend, telling her to come over and have supper with him.

Turn on your sound. If you click to make the video clip full screen, it will look better.

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October 27, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 43 Comments

A Jay-ded Viewpoint

Water cooler gossip flows,

Fast as water from the hose,

Each one spouting what he knows,

As their petty nature shows.

Who does Princess think she is,

Wanting me to call her ms?

Prissy Missy minus fizz,

‘Cept her hairdo, which is frizz.

I see better from up here,

I can take my time and leer,

At her vanity severe,

Does she think we all will cheer?

La-dee-dah, the world is mine,

I’m a princess, looking fine,

Hollyhocks all in a line,

Happy shivers down my spine.

Of course you know this kind of talk is all for the birds.

October 12, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 30 Comments

A Waterfowl Meeting

Mallards, widgeons, fill the sky

Each one calling out their cry,

“Wait for me,” and “Watch my space,”

Desperate to keep up the pace.

In the lee by stands of trees,

Sheltered swans it seems to please,

In a line of purest white,

Feeling safe, to their delight.

For the ducks, a numbers game,

Many of them look the same,

Feeling safe amid the crowd,

They don’t mind if they are loud.

In this field of scraps they find

Food enough to feed their kind,

So much harvest overlooked,

Ducks don’t mind if it’s not cooked.

Look quite closely, you will see

Old potatoes – one, two, three,

If these spuds are not fermented,

Hungry ducks won’t get demented.

October 2, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 53 Comments

It’s a Cruel World Out There

The geese are moving in from places farther north where they have enjoyed warmer weather until now. They sense that the season is cooling off and have come to visit the fields of southern BC to fatten up on leftover grain, bits of corn, and anything else that looks good. Once they have met up with their friends in ever greater numbers, and they have rested and feasted and done little test flights during this staging time, many of them will fly farther south where the winter is not as harsh. A few smaller flocks will settle in to spend the winter here on Vancouver Island, in the hope that the coldest weather will be bearable and not last too long.

The eagle watches and waits. He will take advantage of any stragglers or injured birds to supplement his diet. Once the spawned out fish carcasses are cleaned up by scavengers like seagulls, crows, and eagles, it will be time for a new food source. For the eagles it will often be crippled waterfowl of many kinds.

This bald eagle has a good view of a cornfield that often attracts ducks and geese. If any of them are not able to keep up with the flock, they will make an easy target for a predatory bird.

Little songbirds like these chipping sparrows will be targeted by hawks who sit silently in the nearby trees, waiting for an opportunity to swoop down and scoop up a little snack.

This broad-winged hawk would be happy with a songbird or even a careless squirrel. Patience and alertness are what it’s all about.

The merlin doesn’t mind picking up a songbird either. He’ll happily take down a flicker that might be almost the same size as him.

The red-shafted northern flicker had better be alert. It’s a dangerous world out there.

The general rule for non-predatory birds, especially in the autumn, is “heads up or be eaten.” It’s the raptors who are the meat eaters, while the gentler plant- and insect-eaters need to fear them.

And I haven’t even mentioned the owls yet. Rabbits and mice beware!

September 7, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 51 Comments

Beggars and Choosers

I see something wiggling around in there. I need my breakfast so…. I guess I’ll peck away at it.

Here I go. It’s sure hard work to get a bite to eat. I wonder what I’ll find.

ACK! Beetle grubs and ants? You expect me to eat THAT?

Oh, well. I’m hungry and beggars can’t be choosers.

August 26, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 34 Comments

Pileated Woodpecker Visits Again

Folks, I want you to know that this year it has been great to visit Anneli’s garden. It’s quiet (she’s hardly ever out here), and it’s so-o-o-o … shall we say, to be polite … it’s “au naturel.”

She thinks it’s a mess, but to me, it looks better than ever. Bugs are hiding everywhere, under weeds she hasn’t cleared away. A smorgasbord for me!

As a matter of fact, I think I might have one of those little critters on me. “Well, surprise, surprise, little bugs. There’s no free ride on me! You will be on my dinner menu. Heh, heh, heh, haaa-hooo!”

Messy garden,

Perfect place,

I have dinner,

Leave no trace.

Bugs that crawl

Look fine to me,

On the ground

Or in the tree.

When the garden’s

Gone to h—,

I see bugs

That suit me well.

July 15, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 55 Comments

Mother and Daughter

Again, I was in a rush and didn’t get wonderful, clear photos, but you’re all so good at using your imagination and that’s what I’m counting on today.

The woodpeckers were back. It was Pam and what I thought last week was her sister. I’ve had my eyes opened because I got a better look at the “sister.” Turns out, it is most probably her baby, not her sister.

Pam is near the bottom of the tree here, and Junior is above her. Junior’s topknot is not a brilliant red yet, most likely for her own protection. She won’t be such a target for her enemies.

Pam is working hard, pecking open the bark to look for bugs. Junior is still afraid of giving herself a headache so she lets Mom do all the work.

Pam stops mid-peck and looks around.

“Do you see her, Junior?” she asks.

“See who?” Jr. says.

“Whom.”

“What?”

“See whom, not who? … Oh, never mind. Do you see the crazy lady with the camera? She’s always hanging around near the back door, and I thought I heard it open. I don’t mind her, but that black cocker spaniel is always wherever she is, and that dog LOVES birds – and before you say, ‘Oh that’s good,’ let me tell you, ‘No. That mutt likes birds, but not in a good way.'”