We spent 5 days over Christmas at our place on Cedar Creek which, like
much of Virginia, had snow cover of well over a foot. There had been
no feed out for at least a week, but after shoveling out our feeding
area and filling up the various feeders, birds began to return almost
immediately. For the most part, we had the expected species, with
good numbers of White-throated Sparrows and juncos and a modest flock
of goldfinches. Only one Purple Finch appeared and no siskins.
However, these disappointments were offset by the presence of a single
American Tree Sparrow. It was the first one we've recorded since Nov
2006 and only the 13th record overall since the winter of 1979-80.
Almost as exciting was an Eastern Phoebe, only the fourth December
record in the same period (with 633 total records). We only saw it on
the 27th, but it was actively fly-catching along the eaves and roof of
our neighbors' house. Whether it was a late departing bird, an early
arriving one, or a stray, perhaps displaced by the snowstorm, is
anyone's guess. But it was a nice, if premature, reminder of the
springtime to come. Other critters were also attracted by the bird
feeding, including as many as 6 deer at a time, both fox and gray
squirrels, and a cottontail--all in broad daylight, suggesting
difficulty in finding natural food.
Happy New Year!
Dave Davis
Arlington and Cedar Creek
