A most awful day...We are snowbound at the farm, maybe we can find someone to plow us out tomorrow. For the migrants recently arrived the weather is downright dangerous. We have had a minimum of 12" of snow here, it is still falling and blowing viciously. I measured drifts 3' deep. I have gone out three times today to spread fresh seed on top of the snow in sheltered areas for the hordes. There must be 400-500 birds foraging around the house.
Two species in particular are having a very difficult time with the weather conditions. Rusty Blackbirds and Swamp Sparrows. Clumps of snow are freezing onto the toes of a few the Rusty's making it difficult for them to walk. The Swamp Sparrows just look plain miserable. I found one snow covered and huddled near the foundation of the house, not sure it will make it... Observed today: Mourning Dove Hairy & Downey Woodpecker Blue Jay C. Raven WB & RB Nuthatch BC Chickadee A. Robin Dark-eyed Junco-100+ Song Sparrow-24+ A. Tree Sparrow-many Fox Sparrow-8+ Chipping Sparrow-6 White-throated Sparrow-18+ Swamp Sparrow-8 Savannah Sparrow-1 A. Goldfinch-12+ Purple Finch-100+ Redpoll-3 Pine Siskin-1 Red-winged Blackbird-26+ Rusty Blackbird-12+ Brown-headed Cowbird-6 Kelly Larson Bagley, the Farm Cleawater County Eschew Obfuscation! The middle of Nowhere is Somewhere!
