Today I was greeted by an aerial display by at least 10 crows. That is about 1/4 of our normal returning group in this area. I'm sure there are more around.
Blackie's family have been anticipating the return for the last few weeks, staking out claims for nesting and stashing food but today they had to force other crows from the claim. The aerial display looks like a circling party in the sky with no fighting, just a friendly hello before they disperse to find nesting sites. Once the crows fly at tree level, things get serious. Blackie and his family call and chase any crow that strays too close. By noon, crows were calling from across the river, across the farm fields, down the road, and in our trees. Music to my ears. :)
On another note... a neighbour spotted a pair of Ring Necked pheasants a few houses from mine. Does that mean they are staying in the area and will they breed?
Pam
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Crows are coming. :)
It's almost the middle of March...which means the crows will be returning to Timmins. This is big news for the people that put up with them all winter in the US. See this site which keeps track of all crow news.
Blackie and his parents are fully vocal now, telling all ravens (and potential other crows) that this is their territory and to stay away. I am gradually weaning him from being fed, just once every 2 days. They are probably scouting garbage containers, visiting the dump and finding road kill. They don't seem too concerned but when I move at the end of the month they need to be able to find their own food.
All the winter birds have moved on and only the squirrel is eating the leftover seed on the deck. This winter is really weird, so warm, hardly any snow, and now early break up and spring.
As soon as the crows hit Timmins, I'll get pictures of the roost that congregates every year at the end of the driveway.
Pam
Blackie and his parents are fully vocal now, telling all ravens (and potential other crows) that this is their territory and to stay away. I am gradually weaning him from being fed, just once every 2 days. They are probably scouting garbage containers, visiting the dump and finding road kill. They don't seem too concerned but when I move at the end of the month they need to be able to find their own food.
All the winter birds have moved on and only the squirrel is eating the leftover seed on the deck. This winter is really weird, so warm, hardly any snow, and now early break up and spring.
As soon as the crows hit Timmins, I'll get pictures of the roost that congregates every year at the end of the driveway.
Pam
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
IT'S SPRING!
Most people use robins as an indication of spring. In my neck of the woods, we use the Mattagami River.
The river is wide open in front of the house and my husband saw a fish duck this morning! We are a month early. Everyone says, "Oh, it will get cold again.", but it's been getting gradually warmer every day and it really feels like spring. So I am officially announcing SPRING IS HERE.
Pam
The river is wide open in front of the house and my husband saw a fish duck this morning! We are a month early. Everyone says, "Oh, it will get cold again.", but it's been getting gradually warmer every day and it really feels like spring. So I am officially announcing SPRING IS HERE.
Pam
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