Well, ornithologist call it calling, I mostly call their calling singing. :)
For birds staying alive is not only difficult in winter. Alone in agricultuaral landscapes in Germany and the EU the number of breeding pairs between 1980 and 2010 has decreased by 300 million pairs or, in other words, by almost 60 percent. The partridge population by 84 percent. "Reasons": Habitat loss and thanks to pesticides or, as the euphemism goes 'Plant protection' dramatically less insects. Antedeluvians do offer feeing places. I do, e.g. start feeding on my birthday, even when it's a golden October Day, so that when it becomes colder the birds know where fodder is to be found. There are less little visitors this 'winter'.
Or maybe just going for a bit of a fly around in circles for a while? My observations convince me that flocks of some birds do this - whether for exercise, fun. or just to approach some collective groupthink decision on what to do next, I don't know.
They might have 'discussed' where to stay over night, but as this happened at noon I think rather they will have circulated to reach higher regions and thus better thermal.
Yes Sean, but why do they want better thermals? To move on, or just to fly high... in circles? We have a famous and vast population of geese near here, and while they do migrate, in and out once each year, they also seem to spend much of their time flying in big circles, perhaps just because they can. Maybe they enjoy the view, as I would. Funnily enough they live beside Scotland's main glider airfield, where my son sometimes flies. The geese and the gliders both enjoy the updraughts, it seems, although here they are not thermals but upward currents caused by the prevailing wind hitting the side of a big steep hill. The gliders can circle there for hours.
I worry a lot about birds in winter. Specially the city birds. I used to put bread in different locations. Then someone told me that bread is not good for birds. For the last few years, I've been buying seed food. So far, this winter, it has been extremely cold and I could not go out very much. I'm truly concerned. There is a small park across the street, and I asked a senior lady if she would leave my bird food there. I think she thought I was a bit strange but she agreed to do it. I read quite a bit about birds in winter, An article said that birds proliferate in winter. It's one way for them to keep warm. It would be an amusing thought. But it added that, of course, many die from the cold and lack of food. It says that it's is not so bad, as, otherwise, we would be invaded by too many birds in the spring. It made me cry. Earth is a tough place where to survive.
The someone telling you that bread is not good for birds was me. :) Of birds proliferating in winter I have not heard, yet. I only know that homo sapiens sapiens is proliferating 24/365. It's frightening.
The bird population will find a way, by movement and/or adaptation. Nature is harsh - it is how it works, sometimes sadly. It depends on death. The birds are probably descendants of the dinosaurs, indeed some claim they ARE dinosaurs; and they will probably outlast us - bread, seeds, or none.
They sing?
ReplyDeleteI'm still wondering what non-migrating birds do to stay alive in winter.
Well, ornithologist call it calling, I mostly call their calling singing. :)
DeleteFor birds staying alive is not only difficult in winter. Alone in agricultuaral landscapes in Germany and the EU the number of breeding pairs between 1980 and 2010 has decreased by 300 million pairs or, in other words, by almost 60 percent. The partridge population by 84 percent. "Reasons": Habitat loss and thanks to pesticides or, as the euphemism goes 'Plant protection' dramatically less insects.
Antedeluvians do offer feeing places. I do, e.g. start feeding on my birthday, even when it's a golden October Day, so that when it becomes colder the birds know where fodder is to be found.
There are less little visitors this 'winter'.
Or maybe just going for a bit of a fly around in circles for a while? My observations convince me that flocks of some birds do this - whether for exercise, fun. or just to approach some collective groupthink decision on what to do next, I don't know.
ReplyDeleteThey might have 'discussed' where to stay over night, but as this happened at noon I think rather they will have circulated to reach higher regions and thus better thermal.
DeleteIf only they would be welcomed in Scottish pubs! :(
DeleteYes Sean, but why do they want better thermals? To move on, or just to fly high... in circles? We have a famous and vast population of geese near here, and while they do migrate, in and out once each year, they also seem to spend much of their time flying in big circles, perhaps just because they can. Maybe they enjoy the view, as I would. Funnily enough they live beside Scotland's main glider airfield, where my son sometimes flies. The geese and the gliders both enjoy the updraughts, it seems, although here they are not thermals but upward currents caused by the prevailing wind hitting the side of a big steep hill. The gliders can circle there for hours.
DeleteThank you again, Sean.
DeleteI worry a lot about birds in winter. Specially the city birds. I used to put bread in different locations. Then someone told me that bread is not good for birds. For the last few years, I've been buying seed food. So far, this winter, it has been extremely cold and I could not go out very much. I'm truly concerned. There is a small park across the street, and I asked a senior lady if she would leave my bird food there. I think she thought I was a bit strange but she agreed to do it.
ReplyDeleteI read quite a bit about birds in winter, An article said that birds proliferate in winter. It's one way for them to keep warm. It would be an amusing thought. But it added that, of course, many die from the cold and lack of food. It says that it's is not so bad, as, otherwise, we would be invaded by too many birds in the spring. It made me cry. Earth is a tough place where to survive.
The someone telling you that bread is not good for birds was me. :)
DeleteOf birds proliferating in winter I have not heard, yet. I only know that homo sapiens sapiens is proliferating 24/365. It's frightening.
The bird population will find a way, by movement and/or adaptation. Nature is harsh - it is how it works, sometimes sadly. It depends on death. The birds are probably descendants of the dinosaurs, indeed some claim they ARE dinosaurs; and they will probably outlast us - bread, seeds, or none.
DeleteOh, but we do buy our garden birds plenty of seeds and fat balls, although for a few of them each year this just fattens them up for the local cats...
DeleteA delight to behold :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is, indeed.
Delete