(Posted by Jason Frank <[email protected]> via moumn.org) Is anyone else in rural southern, central, or western counties still noticing a conspicuous absence of yard birds?
I've seen no improvement since the issue was raised last fall. This has got to be the most eerily silent fall/winter season I've ever known. I've got suet that's gone untouched since October. Nothing is coming for seed. No Juncos, Finches, Chickadees, Downies, Hairies, Doves, or overwintering Robins. Berry bushes, and even wild grape vines, still bear a surprising amount of fruit. On the CBCs, we'd scour parks and WMAs, places that should've been brimming with Jays and Chickadees, we'd get 2 or 3 at one site, if that. I suspected the lack of snowcover was keeping the Buntings and Longspurs out in the fields, away from the roadsides. Even after we got some snow, I could hardly find any. Even House Sparrows are missing. In town, and out in the country. At work in Canby, people are constantly bringing this up to me. I have my suspicions, but I'd really be interested to know how wide-spread this absence is, or if its more of a local concern. Jason Frank Lac qui Parle ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
