2018: 'Year of the bird'; 2019: Where are they?

Back in September 2014, I wrote the following: “We have a wonderful winter bird population here in high North Idaho, and a pair of binoculars is almost a must to watch and identify the many visiting species as they come to stay or just stop by for short visits — as do the Grosbeaks and Waxwings.

“I expect the latter two soon now, and their variations — gorgeous black, white and yellow Evening Grosbeaks and dusky pink and gray Pine Grosbeaks — each with their large seed-cracking beaks; and the elegant Cedar Waxwing with its brownish-buff body and pale yellow flanks and belly, glossy black “thieve’s mask” and bright yellow/saffron band at the end of its tail — or its cousin, the Bohemian Waxwing, a bit larger and sporting a more obvious crest, soft grey/ochre with cinnamon undertail and a large yellow band at the end of the tail. The waxwings have small, sharp black beaks.

All of the afore-mentioned will fly in sudden, great flocks into your Serviceberry, Elderberry or Mountain Ash trees to feast on the dried/frozen berries for a day or so, then sweep away again, to leave you delighted.”

Back to the present time:

The birds came on schedule that year, making autumn bright with their camaraderie and cheerful chatter, but it was the last of the big flocks I ever saw; each following year their numbers dwindled — and this fall (of 2018) not one bird appeared. My small Mountain Ash held a bumper crop of bright red berry clusters that hang there still — snow-covered and uneaten.

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In January 2018, just a year ago, I wrote with hope the following (in exerpt)s:

“In a new year that would seem to hold trepidation for many, especially as regards the environment, a bright light has been kindled by the collaboration of a group of prestigious entities.The current issue of Audubon Magazine points out that 2018 marks the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act — created by Audubon’s “genesis” chapters outraged by the wanton destruction of birdlife by the plume trade. They presented their findings and rules they had created to Congress, which wisely adopted them — and now 100 years later, they still stand.

“However, the challenges faced today by the poisons of Monsanto, Bayer’s Neonics and habitat-loss by burgeoning human expansion, along with other considerations, have brought about a horrendous decimation of bird-life that includes songbirds, water-birds and other migrators, and ground-dwellers (burrowing owls, cactus wrens, prairie chickens, sage hens, etc.), totaling an average of over 60,000 bird deaths a day. This has spurred an alliance including National Geographic Magazine Audubon, Bird Life International and the Cornell Lab. of Ornithology. The enthusiastic joining-in of other includes conservatories, parks, zoos, wildlife refuges and city, state, and even governmental entities — such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — and more continue to join in. The thrust is education about the importance of birds in our lives and the roles they play in the web of life.

“For years, this column has touted caring for the area bird population. Many of us who feed the songbirds and woodpeckers, et al, during the winter have seen the alarming decrease in numbers of our resident chickadees, nuthatches, Juncos and various finches — as well as the “travelers” who swoop through in flocks headed for easier pickings. In all cases where there used to be great flocks of them there are now only a few in comparison. I, who once counted 125 chickadees at my feeders — now have probably 12 or 15; and the nuthatches number even less. For those of us who love and watch the birds closely, the warnings are all too clear. The dedication of 2018 as ‘The Year of the Bird’ will hopefully shine a bright light on the many problems out there, and provide some awakenings and action.”

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Back to the present.

Although I did not see one Grosbeak or Waxwing this year, happily, the chickadees and nuthatches seem to have recouped some of their numbers and though not in great strides, are making their presence known at my feeders, along with a Hairy woodpecker family(s). Daughter Diane, a mile away but in more open surroundings is happily hosting a huge number — 60 or more — Juncos, both dark-eyed and Oregon, and an amazing number of an assortment of House, Purple and Cassin’s finches, with their gorgeous pinks, reds and corals brightening her grounds and feeding sites. She also has a healthy mix of various sparrows, two Red-shafted Flicker pairs and many passers-through, (but no Grosbeaks or Waxwings), If anyone had an influx — or absence of — these latter two species, I’d love a call. What could have happened?

Regardless, with another winter on tap, we must all do our best to keep what birdlife we are blessed with and hopefully, lure others to our welcoming feeders/shelters. Augment your sunflower seed feeders with nourishing things — apple cores, dried corn on the cob, peanut butter in pinecones or slathered on the tree bark (don’t forget peanuts in the shell for visiting jays). Suet feeders provide needed extra protein and are a great inexpensive way to provide some “heat” to small bird bodies. If you’re really into helping out the birds (and probably an opportunistic pine jimmy or two) you can create some pretty hearty mixtures to stuff into pinecones, tree bark or in a container of your choice.

If you don’t have feeders out but do have a possible feeding spot (as mine under the eaves), please consider helping the birds out this winter. A high, protected location with nearby tree or shrub cover is best and a roof or overhead protection is needed to guard against snow or rain. I use large, tightly-woven baskets which I hang from bicycle hooks under my eaves. One is on the south side off my deck, and one faces east, outside my upstairs bedroom window so I can easily open it and reach out with a load of seed to dump in when needed. These high locations, with access only to winged visitors, deter cats, squirrels and large, dangerous birds such as crows or hawks, so the little birds are safe from predation under the steep eaves while protected from the winter weather.

A happy and hopeful new year to you and the birds we all love.

Valle Novak writes the Country Chef and Weekend Gardener columns for the Daily Bee. She can be reached at bcdailybee@bonnercountydailybee.com or by phone at 208-265-4688.