Winter Flocks

Many bird species gather in large flocks during the colder months to improve their search for food and to decrease their risk of predation.  Even non-birders likely note the massive flocks of starlings, blackbirds, robins and mourning doves that move across farmlands and sometimes invade our neighborhoods.

Other songbirds tend to gather in feeding groups for the same purposes.  These mixed flocks usually include chickadees, titmice, downy woodpeckers, blue jays, cardinals, nuthatches and a host of sparrows, juncos and finches.  Absent for periods of time, these groups suddenly turn up in our yards, scouring the trees and shrubs or swarming the feeders.

All of these roaming winter flocks attract the attention of predators and draw in rare loners as well, further enhancing the spectacle for birders.  While we look forward to the spring and fall migrations for their pure diversity of species, it is winter that delivers the numbers. 

Living in our Future

Throughout our lives, we humans wonder about our future.  By the time we enter high school, our focus is on whether we will go to college and what career we might pursue.  A bit later on, we wonder who we will marry, if we will have children and where we will live.

In middle age, we shift our concerns to the future welfare of our children, our grandchildren and our parents.  Of course, the latter often have health problems by that time and we worry about their future needs, including their potential care requirements.

Once we are old ourselves, the mysteries of our life have been solved except, of course, the timing and cause of our own death.  We are now living in our future but, in many ways, it is now easier to live in the present.  Though we might often think of our past, we know it is beyond our control and, eventually, come to terms with any regrets we might harbor.  Focusing on the present is necessary, healthy and comforting.

See also: Living in the Present 

Cut-Off Lows

The series of Pacific storms that have brought flooding rains to Southern California have been produced by "cut-off lows," not energized and driven by the jet stream.  As a result, they have meandered eastward, devoid of powerful winds or strong thunderstorms.

Currently, one of these storms is centered over Kansas and its counterclockwise winds are pulling up moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.  A band of steady rain stretches across Missouri, eastern Kansas and eastern Nebraska, a welcome development for this drought-plagued region.

Meanwhile, another cut-off low is spinning off Southern California, sweeping more rain into that water-logged area.  Unless and until an atmospheric trough drops southward to boost its energy, it will likely arrive here by mid week.  We'll take whatever moisture it brings. 

A Duckless Floodplain

An 88-mile segment of Interstate 29, between Mound City, Missouri, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, runs across the broad, flat floodplain of the Missouri River.  This ecosystem is a mosaic of crop fields, lakes, wetlands, canals, tributaries and riparian woodlands.  Red-tailed hawks are usually common along the highway, the massive nests of bald eagles are evident in some of the larger trees and waterfowl are often abundant on the open waters or flying overhead, especially during seasonal migrations.  Indeed, Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, renowned for its spectacular flocks of migrant snow geese, is just south of Mound City.

So, having driven this road in both directions over the past few days, I was shocked not to observe a single duck or goose.  Only adding to my personal impatience with the tardy waterfowl migration, their complete absence on the floodplain was disturbing..

Perhaps this observation merely reflects relatively warm conditions across northern latitudes, yet another sign of climate change.  Maybe the waterfowl were concentrated closer to the river on the west side of the floodplain.  But those of us concerned about our unrelenting assault on the health of natural ecosystems cannot shake the conviction that we humans are slowly degrading the planet.

God and Uncertainty

It seems to me that our personal concept of God is a product of our culture, our family dynamics, our education, our life experience and our capacity to remain objective.  Early man associated various gods with most natural phenomena; since then, as our species has evolved, our collective and personal view of God has become more refined.

Nevertheless, among modern human beings, there is a wide variety of beliefs, from a strict devotion to historical Scripture to atheism.  The less we understand about the nature of our Universe, which may be due to the circumstances of our life or due to choices that we have made, the easier it is to retain a simplistic view of God.

In the end, regardless of ingrained beliefs and the level of our education, it is our determination and willingness to be objective that most influences our belief in a divine being.  Were it left to the individual, this would be sufficient; unfortunately, devoutly religious groups in human society too often want to impose their beliefs on the rest of us.

See also:  Man and Religion 

Maduro channels Lennon

As King Trump ponders whether or not he will attack Venezuela, President Maduro and his supporters sang and swayed to John Lennon's Imagine.  Released in 1971, during the Vietnam War, its lyrics ask why we cannot celebrate humanity without divisive attention to wealth, religion, race and nationality.

Coming from a dictator like Maduro, the words are certainly disingenuous and, of course, one doubts Trump is even familiar with the song.  Since he is fond of dictators, one actually wonders why Trump is taking aim at Venezuela to begin with; starting another war certainly won't help his campaign to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The entire scenario, if it were not so serious, might be fodder for a Woody Allen movie.  Unfortunately, two incompetent, power-hungry men just may engage in a conflict that leads to the deaths of many innocent civilians and soldiers.  It's time for the Republicans to imagine a better course for America and derail Trump's impulsive "leadership." 

Raking on a Summer Day

The leaf-covered lawns and acorn-coated driveway indicated it is autumn but the sunny, warm weather made it feel like summer.  So we took advantage of the unseasonably mild conditions to get a start on our annual attempt to keep up with Mother Nature.

Serenaded by white-breasted nuthatches and Carolina wrens we relocated the acorns to our compost bin and began raking the leaves toward our shrub lines.  Since our sawtooth oaks have not yet dropped the majority of their leaves, we gave their locations a wide berth.  After all, our raking efforts have always been staged, even more so in recent years.

Though the recent and upcoming chill was and will be welcome, especially after our long, hot summer, a brief, mild interlude is always appreciated when outdoor chores are pending.  After a period of recovery, we'll resume our work next weekend. 

Southwest Deluge

Over the past week, a deep atmospheric trough off the West Coast directed heavy rain and high winds across Northern California, Oregon and Washington.  Then, its southern portion split away and strengthened off the coast of Southern California; this "cut-off low" is now sweeping torrential rain across San Diego, Los Angeles and the adjacent mountains.

Prolonged, heavy rain will be especially problematic in the burn scar areas, likely producing mudslides and landslides.  On the positive side, the Southern Sierra Nevada may receive up to three feet of snow, a welcome, early addition to the vital winter snow pack.

After pummeling Southern California, the storm is expected to move across western Arizona and southern Nevada before dumping significant snow in the mountains of Utah and Colorado.  Unfortunately, a second Pacific storm system may form in its wake, augmenting the potential for widespread flooding across the arid landscapes of the Desert Southwest.

A Spectacular Aurora Borealis

A G4 level geomagnetic storm produced one of the most spectacular and widespread Aurora borealis displays in decades over the past two nights.  Visible as far south as the Gulf Coast, the Northern Lights were captured on countless photos across Europe and North America.

                                                       Photo by Zach Folzenlogen, Colorado

 

Ruddys at Phillips Lake

Desperate for signs that the autumn waterfowl migration is finally underway, I was pleased to encounter a flock of nine ruddy ducks on Phillips Lake this morning.  Long one of my favorite duck species, these small, attractive birds were diving for their breakfast in the center of the lake, oblivious of the chilly air and gusty, southwest winds.

I would be remiss not to mention the three gadwall and a lone pied-billed grebe that shared the choppy waters and, to be absolutely complete, the single Canada goose that flew overhead.  Of more interest were at least 200 robins, now gathering in their large winter flocks, that filled many of the trees that surround the lake.

But the ruddys were the highlight of my visit.  Hopefully, they represent the vanguard of a spectacular, though belated, waterfowl migration season.

Riding the Winter Wind

Down in the Lower Bonne Femme Valley, south of Columbia, on this first wintry morning of the season, most of the birds were sheltering from the cold, gusty, northwest wind.  But there was one exception.

An immature bald eagle was cavorting in the clear, cold air, soaring over the Missouri River and its bordering floodplain.  Perhaps it was born in the State or simply took advantage of the strong tailwinds to travel south for the season.  In either case, he/she was unfazed by the wind chill that kept me in the warm confines of my pickup.

While common in Missouri throughout the year, bald eagles increase in number during the colder months, tracking the waterfowl flocks on which they feed (augmenting their diet of fish and carrion).  This morning's visitor may have arrived ahead of those migrants but, hopefully, they will soon appear. 

Waiting on the Cold Front

A potent cold front is forecast to drop through the eastern half of North America over the next few days.  We birders hope that it brings the first significant wave of migrant waterfowl this season.

Indeed, more than other groups of birds, most of which either don't migrate or move in response to the solar cycle, waterfowl head south when their natural food sources are depleted or when lakes, ponds and wetlands freeze over.  In that regard, their lives are more closely tied to the fickle nature of weather patterns (and thus to climate change) than most wildlife.

And unlike human snowbirds, who head south to escape winter, waterfowl will often stop short of their traditional wintering areas if relatively mild weather encourages them to do so.  Whether global warming eventually halts their seasonal migration altogether remains to be seen; availability of food rather than weather may become the determining factor. 

The Coot Cavalry

Arriving for the "birding window" at Eagle Bluffs yesterday afternoon, a friend and I encountered only five avian species, despite the renewed, watery landscape.  On our way south through the northern section of the floodplain, we saw massive flocks of red-winged blackbirds but only 30 mallards, 6 green-winged teal and a lone pied-billed grebe.  No waders, shorebirds or raptors were observed.

Once we turned around and headed back north, however, we came across a flock of 175 American coot that had emerged from the dense marsh and were parading across a lake.  After such a long period of man-induced drought a the refuge, their sudden appearance was emotionally rewarding.

Of course, in the past, that number would have been considered modest at best; thousands of coot would descend on Eagle Bluffs during the spring and fall migrations.  We certainly hope that yesterday's sighting was a sign of the recovery to come. 

Back to the Audubon Sanctuary

Having not visited the Columbia Audubon Nature Sanctuary in a couple of years, I decided to correct that oversight on this sunny, mild morning.  Offering a pleasing mix of forest, prairie and wooded meadows, draped across a stream valley, the preserve is accessed by a fine network of trails; better yet, benches are spaced along the routes, providing rest stops and view points for those of us who choose to (or need to) use them.

Always an excellent refuge for observing songbirds, woodpeckers and raptors, this morning's visit was true to form.  White-breasted nuthatches were most conspicuous, seemingly annoyed by a pair of red-tailed hawks that circled overhead.  Though all of my sightings were of common species, I was the only human to grace the preserve during a one hour visit (a positive development for one who enjoy's solitude).

More regular excursions to the Audubon Sanctuary are certainly in order and I intend to return to this scenic refuge at least once each season.  After all, like all natural ecosystems, its welcoming party varies through the year.  

The Mamdani Message

Despite the harsh and demeaning rhetoric of his opponents, it appears likely that Zohran Mamdani, an avowed Democratic Socialist, will be elected Mayor of New York City.  His supporters, primarily from the middle class, are not focused on political labels; rather, they want fairness and an affordable life in that very expensive city.

Of course, New York could not function without their services and Mamdani has proposed changes that  will at least put a dent in the hideous discrepancy between their lives and those of the rich and famous.  One of his proposals, free child care, is something I supported in a post back in December, 2021.  Others include free bus service, a four-year moratorium on rising rents and a relatively small bump in the corporate tax rate.

One can argue about any or all of his proposals but it is clear that they are receiving broad support among working class citizens.  Unbridled capitalism has failed them and the cruel, undemocratic policies of Trump and his cronies have only increased their anxiety and discontent.  Though I am a fiscal conservative, I do believe that fairness and empathy must infuse capitalism if it is to truly meet the needs of all American citizens. 

November in the Country

Since our VW Beetle desperately needed a workout and since I had no other plans, I took her for a jaunt in the country on this beautiful November morning.  Clear, blue skies, cool air and clean-edged farmlands made the road trip especially enjoyable.

Turkey vultures circled overhead while a lone, red-tailed hawk crossed my path with what appeared to be a more specific destination.  Flocks of blackbirds, crows and mourning doves toured the corn stubble and small herds of horses and goats grazed on the browning pastures, now free of those annoying summer insects.

Following a long, hot, dry summer, devoid of cold nights until very recently, the autumn colors are late and relatively muted this year.  On the other hand, the osage orange crop is impressive, with dozens of the golden orbs clustered along the road in wooded areas.  No doubt, the Beetle and I will enjoy another rural excursion in the near future.  

Winter Songbirds Arrive

Over the past week, winter songbirds have filtered into Central Missouri.  These birds summer and breed to our north (or at higher elevations), migrating to more temperate life zones for the colder months (generally from mid October to mid April).

While permanent avian residents remain the majority, they are now joined by white-throated and white-crowned sparrows, purple finches, pine siskins, hermit thrushes and dark-eyed juncos.  Less widespread and usually observed in rural areas or wetlands are American tree sparrows, swamp sparrows, fox sparrows, Harris' sparrows and golden-crowned kinglets.  Brown creepers, red-breasted nuthatches and yellow-bellied sapsuckers, while not songsters, are also among our winter avian residents.

Beyond the influx of songbirds are winter raptors (merlins, rough-legged hawks and short-eared owls, among other rare visitors) and waterfowl species that may or may not stay through the winter (depending on the availability of open water and food).  All of the winter species are certainly more than welcome and encourage us to leave the cozy confines of our heated homes to enjoy the invigorating weather and scenic landscapes of the season.