When we first arrived on the farm
in 1991, there were only a few trees and no hedgerows. Most of the land was a
hay pasture. Therefore, there were also only a few birds as they had no
protection, or roosting areas and a minimal source of food- primarily the grass
seeds from the hay.
I remember lying on the ground in
the middle of the field and watching a lone red-tailed hawk looking for
rodents. Some days, that was the only bird I saw.
Over the years, with the gradual development of the trees
and plants, the farm has become a smorgasbord for the birds and we are now
entertained by a cornucopia of birds. Some are born and stay here year-round,
such as the black-capped chickadees and others return from South America each
spring. We have identified more than 60 species of birds visiting the farm. The
drama that unfolds daily by watching the birds provides forever-changing
learning and entertainment.
I would like to share some of
these experiences with you through photos, information and a once weekly 6:00
am bird watch. Please contact us for further information on these events.
This week, I’d like to introduce you to the beautiful,
subtle “epitome of a love bird”- The Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum). In
the spring of 2000, I knew we had a knew visitor because the soft, gentle
almost bell tinkling sound of their voices was one I had never heard before.
The sound was coming from the tops of the cedars along the roadway. I suppose
they hadn’t stopped before, because the trees were simply not tall enough to
provide a sense of safety. I could hear them long before I caught my first
glimpse. At first they were very shy and secretive, and would not openly
display themselves. They watched me working in the garden for about a month
before they flew into the open. Since then I have watched that first pair
multiply until just this week I counted a flock of over 60! Unfortunately, they
were being chased by a barn owl we had recently rescued. Often in the evenings
the air is filled with the soft tinkling of their voices as they sally for
insects, or feed each other berries. These are the most romantic of birds! One
will take a berry (ie holly) pass it to its partner, who will pass it back;
then they will kiss each other and eventually the berry is consumed.
They arrive in the garden from their winter habitat in the
West Indies or Panama around the 15th of May. That is always the
signal that summer has arrived on the farm.
Their diet consists of the tree berries and insects. When
they first arrive, they eat the left over holy berries and hemlock seeds. The
next sources of berries to ripen are the Amelanchier and Sambucca. They never
seem to be interested in the blueberries. They head back to South and Central
America as early as mid-September. I know the garden is settling into dormancy
for the winter then and I have to part with these beautiful birds until next
May.
DESCRIPTION
18.5 cm, dove grey, sleek with a crested silky brown
head. Their chest is a pale butter yellow. They have a bright neon-like yellow
tip to their blunt tail. They have a black mask outlined in white, and red tips
halfway along their wings. The males have a glossy, black throat.
