What’s in Your
Neighborhood?
I am a birder (sorry, haven’t adjusted to the retro but
definitive term, “birdwatcher”, again.
Besides, half of my birds come from hearing, not watching. But that’s another
article).
For me, this means driving to my local refuge (20 miles
distant), interspersing walks at closer wildlife management areas and hiking
trails, keeping an eye on the backyard, taking occasional state trips, and
leading a few tours.
It rarely, however, means a neighborhood walk.
But times have changed, finances will be tighter during this
transition period, so a substitutionary neighborhood walk is, probably,
necessary.
So I journeyed out this morning. I live in a rural development, converted
agricultural land, lots of 2.5 and 5 acres, limited trees, small marsh close by,
two busy highways converging. My yard
list is not too bad (130 species in 8.5 years, much of that due to migration),
particularly considering the largest tree is eight feet tall (an aspen we
haven’t
cut down), and our three conifers are 12 inches high. On Saturday mornings in
the late spring and
summer, while journaling at the table, I can hear and see ~25 species, with
some variety, and some enjoyment (Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlards, other
grassland species still persist).
And that’s what I anticipated. 25 or so species. Nice, limited, but nothing
to write home – or you –
about.
Never did I anticipate 50 species in a six block
radius. Never did I anticipate
discovering two new ponds off an ATV trail.
Never did I anticipate:
·
Red-headed Woodpecker
·
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
·
Pied-billed Grebe
·
Yellow-throated Vireo
·
Warbling Vireo
·
Belted Kingfisher
·
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
·
American Redstart
during a non-migratory time.
Nor did I anticipate that House Sparrow would be the 50th
species, and no European Starlings would be present.
So time for a bit of humility. Time to be a bit more “green”, even if it is
primarily
for retrenching purposes. And time to
ask the question:
“What’s in your neighborhood?”
Al SchirmacherPrinceton, MN
(Can be electronically shared or reprinted with permission.)
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