This morning, my yard was filled with birds eating and chattering. They were busy, almost frantic, and then, they were gone.
Later, I saw flocks of birds over the farmers’ fields, picked or otherwise, winging their way gracefully, fighting the wind, obviously on their way to other territories.
And then I thought of their long trek to warmer places when winter starts to show its cold head. It seems impossible that those little bodies and wings can carry them so far.
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, weather or habitat. Migration is marked by its annual season trip. In contrast, birds that are non-migratory are said to be resident or sedentary. Approximately 1800 of the world's 10,000 bird species are long-distance migrants.
The primary motivation for migration appears to be food, while the primary physiological cue for migration are the changes in the length of the day. There are also hormonal changes in the birds. Birds need to alter their metabolism in order to meet the demands of migration. Some hummingbirds choose not to migrate if fed through the winter.
The storage of energy through the accumulation of fat and the control of sleep in nocturnal migrants requires special adaptations. In addition, the feathers of a bird suffer from wear and tear and require molting. The timing of this molt is usually once a year but it can occur twice a year. Some birds molt prior to moving to their winter grounds, while others molt prior to returning to their breeding grounds.
Most birds migrate in flocks. Geese conserve their energy if they fly in a V formation verses flying alone. It is interesting to note that many of the smaller birds, warblers, hummingbirds and flycatchers migrate large distances, usually at night. They land in the morning and may feed for a few days before resuming their migration.
According to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, there are about 836 species of migratory birds. Of those, about a quarter of them will be endangered — often killed — by human activities, pesticides, poisoning, or attacks by cats and other predators. About 100 million birds will die from hitting buildings. Five million will die when they are attracted to communication towers and wires. Sixty million will collide with cars; and cats will kill and munch on an estimated 39 million.
Remember when grain elevators were swamped with sparrows looking for an easy treat? Favorite religious songs have always been, "His eye is on the sparrow,” and "I know He watches me,” giving rise to the fact that He cares for the ordinary person and creatures.
Male birds are usually more spectacular in color, possibly to give the female a better camouflage coloring. My mother enjoyed the effects of a robin that looked like he had been splattered with paint for some time, but it disappeared in late summer.
Thank you to farmers who will let one go in and glean "run overs" of corn and stray corn. If one feeds the birds, they should start early, be consistent and plan to feed in abundance. They will be rewarded for their efforts. It is hard to believe there is anything more spectacular than a bright red cardinal in the deep green evergreens in a snow-white environment.
My sister, Kaye, says that the robins in Cave Creek, Arizona are much lighter shades of orange than we see in Minnesota. Her husband, Mike, says it is because they eat less protein, or worms.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates a minimum of 10 billion birds are bred in North America. The fall populations may be on the order of 2 billion; just an educated guess.
Weather, predation, starvation and human-related deaths have a huge impact on our feathered friends. Seeing the effects of oil spills on waterfowl is enough to make you cry.
Ducks and geese seem to have no fear of the human population, perhaps because of the feeding, especially from kids. I enjoy watching the ducks and geese feeding, seeing them on our area lakes and streams and flying overhead. They are a sight to behold as they waddle across the street with their children all in a row.
I really miss them while they travel off to other corners of the world during our long cold winters. My mother and I help supply the many different species of birds that visit our yards with dry bread and corn shelled and on the cob.
Fall hunting season is upon us and hearing the popping of guns is reason to wonder how many will be left post season. I also wonder how much meat will be used of the many ducks and geese that are killed. I guess I would never be a hunter, as I would have a difficult time shooting any of the great creatures that live here in our little corner of the world.
Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented that they like to read about the local happenings and family events such as family and school reunions, birthday and anniversary celebrations, and birth and wedding announcements.
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• Thursday, October 20th: Kimberly Wangsness, Matthew Beckman, Shannon Smith, Diana Beckmann, Jenny Herbst, Erick Widlund, Gladys Winter, Casey Kunkel, Nicole Larson, Doris Scripture Steele, Rick Kelly, Adam Lang, Scott & Joni Groth, Laurie & DeWayne Jensen, Jim & Nancy Bottelson, Brad & Nicole Edwards
• Friday, October 21st: Todd Utpadel, Brian Riley, Deb Mucha, Peter Benson, Natalie Kuehni, Steven F. Christenson, Diane & Dan Gallentine, John & Trisha Cyr.
• Saturday, October 22nd: Scott Sorenson, Jennifer Pence, Lyle Swearingen, Brian Johnson, Kelsey Wayne, Dave De Vriendt, Mabel Dobberstein, David Polzin, Colleen Thompson, Sage Tristan Lang, Clifford Coy, Diane Gallentine Pfieffer, Edna Callahan, Kailey Ann Christensen.
• Sunday, October 23rd: Jacklynn Kress, Marian Dahl, Gene Grubbish, Kimberly Kilian, Grant Ver Hey, Stewart Hatch, Rick & Lana Thompson, Dan & Tina Schmidt, Gary & Deb Nelson.
• Monday, October 24th: Noelle Mae Brekke, her second; Jacob Keith Rigby, his 3rd; Jeff Dobbertstein, Bobby Dobberstein, Joseph Bailey, Dan Willert, Eunice Hanson, Bob Wayne, Ashley Ashton, Gil & Kay Nelson.
• Tuesday, October 25th: Mavis Bartsch, Jady Beenken, Dean Van Hal, Charlotte Haberman, Heidi Crabtree Owen, Mikaela Krikava, Spencer & Barb Kubat, Dean & Sandy Jensen, Breanna & Timothy Breidenbach, Heidi & Jason Owen.
• Wednesday, October 26th: Nadine Strenge, Jannell Tufte, Jeanne Holland, Heather Hove, Reece Gabriel Routh, Jake Andrew Wiersma, Kevin Hamor, Conner Dean Phode.
• Thursday, October 27th: Jason Born, David Anderson, Bruce Yanke, James Bremer Jr., Mitchell & Amy Edwards, Donly & Joanne Cromwell.
• Friday, October 28th: David Thompson, Jan Sorenson, Lisa Morin, Rick Horan, Randy Horan, Todd Brotizman, Rich Weckwerth, Sue Westrum, Tanner Jorge Wilson, Lyle & Darlyne Paulson, Jane & Jeff Allen, Amanda & Paul Rovnak.
May you find joy and pleasure all around you on your special day!
