[obol] Birds watching the weather change

[Mike Gellerman]

Friends,

I know that my joints feel it, but the birds know it too - the weather changed and there may still be a couple of official days of summer left - I don't think they are waiting around.  This morning at Bethany Pond in the West Union area there was quite a display.  First of all the RW Blackbirds just assembled and were flying all over all over the place, calling and very excited, many even displaying their epaulets.  I've noticed them starting to harass our GB Heron more frequently in the past few days, but this was very different as I have not even heard them in a month.  It also seemed every Barn Swallow for miles arrived suddenly in a feeding frenzy and there Cliff Swallows mixed in with them, they have been gone from here for six weeks or more (but typically breed in late spring).  

Our Osprey was quite active before the rain and the Green Herons were racing about at twice their normal rate.  The goldfinches have switched from thistle to sunflower in a regular orgy - even the house sparrows can't keep them off the feeder, and House Fiches are battling both Rufous and Anna's HB for space on the HB feeder.  It was quite a sight.  A couple flights of Canada Gesse are moving through just in the past few days, although for some reason they always seemed to heading north, but maybe just getting their bearings.  No winter ducks yet, but I see by other reports they are in the area and have just not found our pond yet.

Best regards,

Mike Gellerman
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