Well, we lastly had a complete week of winter at one time with [morning] temperatures in single digits (even beneath zero a few days) and snow 4 days in a row. That saved the snowmobilers driving by the weekend, however trails hit by the solar are naked once more with all that visitors. There have been a number of accidents, 4 went within the open water of the Inlet channel and one snowmobiler hit a stress crack on Indian Lake. A rescue automobile going to that accident went by the ice, [they] self-rescued and bought out. The injured snowmobiler was delivered to shore and a ready ambulance.
Out west, the California coast was once more hit with one other atmospheric river. [They received] over 5 inches of rain on prime of what they bought every week in the past, which precipitated mudslides and extra flooding of highways. In the mountains they bought a number of toes of snow, and so they say they’re nonetheless in a drought. I don’t understand how a lot they should come out of the drought, however perhaps a bit extra, [although] not a lot at one time that principally runs off.
I labored on the Chili Bowl [Luncheon] at View [arts center in Old Forge] on Saturday, [Feb. 17] together with many different volunteers. There was a giant crowd, and plenty of stunning ceramic bowls have been bought. I noticed a number of individuals who sampled lots of the kinds of chili provided. I like chili, however not the new stuff with all of the toppings. It was good to go to with a number of individuals I hadn’t seen in fairly a while. [I was glad] to see associates and neighbors having an pleasant time in assist of View Arts.
Since there was sufficient snow for snowboarding and snowmobiling, I’m positive a lot of our guests went out on the paths, however some stopped in for a lunch break. There have been many new guests I spoke with who had by no means been within the building [View] earlier than and I thanked them for his or her assist.
Line of individuals at View’s Chili Bowl Luncheon. Photo by Gary Lee.
Last weekend was the Great Backyard Bird Count, Friday by Monday [Feb. 16-19] and my feeders have been busy over the weekend. I didn’t must journey to get some birds, however I did depend the geese within the Inlet Channel and on the street to Boonville on Sunday. The day earlier than the depend, Thursday, [Feb. 15] I used to be watching the birds on the feeders and [a] Northern Shrike swooped in, chasing a Black-Capped Chickadee. The Chickadee (attempting to flee) flew into the window proper in entrance of me in my workplace and the Shrike [also] hit the window not a second later.
The Chickadee died and the Shrike was surprised, however bought up and flew away with out the Chickadee. The Chickadee that I recovered was one which I had banded [on] 11/3/22. I reported it to the Banding Lab as a window hit. I imagine the Shrike was across the subsequent morning, as there have been no birds on the feeders. [This] usually means there’s a predator within the space, however I by no means noticed it to get it on depend day.
The first day of the depend, I had all my common birds and twenty-five Turkeys [also] confirmed up that morning after I cleared the eight inches of snow across the feeders. I noticed some Turkey heads method out within the woods, and I known as, “Here Turkey, Turkey” and the woods got here alive with Turkeys as they got here operating proper over to the feeders. It was ten levels that morning, so all the opposite birds wanted a snack to maintain heat and so they have been throughout after the Turkeys left. [There were] plenty of Blue Jays (in all probability twenty or extra) and I set the Potter traps and caught a number of…plus a pair new Chickadees.
It was twelve levels [on] Saturday, with one other new inch of snow and the little birds have been again in power, plus the Carolina Wren returned as did a Slate-Colored Junco. There have been a number of Pine Siskins and a small flock of six Purple Finch that appeared to return and go. They should be getting some wild meals within the woods from a few of the spruce cones.
Sunday began off thrilling, because it was eight levels with gentle snow falling and a Sharp-Shinned Hawk got here diving into the feeding space, chasing certainly one of my many Chickadees. They went by the spruce and balsam tree bows on a merry chase and the Chickadee escaped. The Hawk sat on a department near the trunk of the spruce tree, ready for one of many little birds to return. It was twitching its tail, however nobody returned, [so] it flew off to attend for one more sneak attack within the falling snow. I by no means noticed it once more.
I went right down to the Inlet Channel and counted the geese. I noticed 150 Mallards and 7 Black Ducks. They weren’t so spooky as in the course of the duck depend in January, and so they didn’t fly away. I got here home and set the Potter traps and caught three new Chickadees, two Tufted Titmouse, and one good male Purple Finch of the seven that have been right here. [I] caught no Jays [on that day].
Monday was a wintry morning (at minus two levels) with one other new inch of snow. I set the Potter traps and caught six new Blue Jays, three new Chickadees, two repeat Jays, and two repeat Chickadees. We traveled to Boonville [to go] purchasing, and on Hogsback Road I noticed three Pine Siskins and 7 Mourning Doves selecting grit from the street. On the way in which home, I noticed one of many Siskins had been hit by a automobile and it was useless within the street. Just give them a toot in the event you see them within the street, and they’ll fly up.
Finally bought out ice fishing with my Grandson, Jake, however that’s one other story. See ya.
Photo at prime: Blue Jay within the Potter Trap. Photo by Gary Lee.
