Tuesday, Mar 11th: 10:30 AM, Temperature: 6 C (42 F)
I’m still adjusting to Daylight Savings Time, which has made waking up early a little uncomfortable. So, I was on my way to Olin a little later than usual. For the past few days I had noticed a small flock of Cedar Waxwings hanging out near the Hopkins Club. They were accompanied by a much larger flock of robins. Both flocks were attracted by the berries on the holly trees. This morning as I approached the lawn I could hear the high-pitched calls of the waxwings zzeeep, zzeeep, coming from the large magnolia tree across from the holly. Another sound – a rain of seeds among the magnolia was also filling the air. I watched as the waxwings routinely raided the holly, swarming all over it for a few minutes and then returning to their perches in the magnolia. There they made quick work of venting the seeds from the berries picked up from the holly and repeated their raids. I watched them for a few minutes, took a few shots, and hurried along to work.
Nearing Olin, I saw Jasper and Cinnamon both taking turns to add twigs to their new nest. It has been two weeks since I first saw the two mating, and I think it should not be much longer before Cinnamon lays her clutch.
5:15 PM, Temperature: 11 C (52 F)
The Barred Owl is now roosting on the trunk of a fallen tree just east of the pond. Here the owl is less than 10 feet above ground, making this an unusual roost. But, it is one of its preferred sites where it is well hidden among all the clumps of branches and dry vines. From ground level it would be almost impossible to locate the owl here. From the vantage of my office and the evening sun illuminating the white underside of the beautiful bird I have a clear view.
Cinnamon has now taken position on the beech tree north of the pond and is as yet unaware or unconcerned of the owl. The last time the two birds discovered each other was one dramatic event! Since that day the owl has been a less frequent visitor to the pond. This time however, Cinnamon was too occupied with procuring dinner and not having much luck at the pond she flew off to the south.
Daylight Savings Time (DT) may at first seem an annoyance – effectively making you wake up one hour earlier! But, on second thoughts, this is a good thing for birding. Here’s why – Let’s say you make wake up at 7:30 AM every morning. On DT when you wake up at 7:30 AM it is actually 6:30 AM. Before DT, if you had to wake up 6:30 AM to go birding, now you can sleep until 7:30 AM! Happy Daylight Saving!
I’m still adjusting to Daylight Savings Time, which has made waking up early a little uncomfortable. So, I was on my way to Olin a little later than usual. For the past few days I had noticed a small flock of Cedar Waxwings hanging out near the Hopkins Club. They were accompanied by a much larger flock of robins. Both flocks were attracted by the berries on the holly trees. This morning as I approached the lawn I could hear the high-pitched calls of the waxwings zzeeep, zzeeep, coming from the large magnolia tree across from the holly. Another sound – a rain of seeds among the magnolia was also filling the air. I watched as the waxwings routinely raided the holly, swarming all over it for a few minutes and then returning to their perches in the magnolia. There they made quick work of venting the seeds from the berries picked up from the holly and repeated their raids. I watched them for a few minutes, took a few shots, and hurried along to work.
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