This is a second segment of a compilation of some of the notes I took at The
Williamsburg Bird Club monthly meeting with presenter Dr. Andrew Dolby who is
also the President of the VA . Society of Ornithology (VSO) along with his busy
scheldule as the Chairman of the Dept. of Zoological Sciences at the University
of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. He explained to us how the high
metabolism that birds have helps them to survive in extremely cold
temperatures. This high metabolic process increases the rapid burning of
consumed food causing heat to flow through the birds' bodies as it (the
metabolism) uses up the food subsequently generating then body heat .
Therefore, most birds will eat large quantities of food just before they retire
for the night...to have enough food in their bodies to generate heat to sustain
them during the night time when high metabolismcauses the lost of food ,but
generates heat......the heater then will stay on all night. That's why those
who have bird feeders in their backyards should be sure that there is a large
amount of food in the feeders to accommodate the birds that see the need to eat
just before retiring. Note: That last sentence is my own research....based on
the inspiration I received from Dr. Dolby's presentation.
My next segment will refer to how I will relate Dr. Dolby's presentation.....
to The Purple Martins nesting colony in Bryan Park of Richmond VA of which I am
one of the Purple Martin caretakers or landlords. Spending hours per day, I
have made some interesting observations of the Purple Martins that relate in
some instances .....to Dr. Dolby's presentation. I have always dreamed that
someone would give a presentation or write a book regarding how birds survive
cold days and nights. This presentation was a dream becoming reality........I
would have gone to another state for a presentation on that topic.
Dr. Dolby's Presentation was easy to understand because of the picture slides
that he used. Remember: A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS I will post Segment
3 compilation of my notes on Dr. Dolby's presentation/lecture very soon.
Adolph White whitea60@xxxxxxxxxxx
