1 Jan/19
It's been really cold the past couple of days - approaching -30C. Though down by the river, when the sun is shining, it's not too bad. The usual suspects are out and about. Nuthatches, Black Capped Chickadees, and the two major woodpeckers, Downy and Hairy. There were a few crows last week, but none to date. A couple of days ago I saw a Flicker. I can't recall seeing one in this area at this time of year, before. Generally they are long gone. I know I've said this before, but I am amazed that these birds can survive the winter. From my perception, the numbers have not dropped, but that is only a perception based on photos and listening to their calls. I believe these birds hang around here because they have the best of both worlds - a bush with lots of dead or dying trees, and bird feeders across the road. I suspect that they forage in the bush, then visit the feeders, moving back and forth. It's a little weird to know that all the insects, plants and non vertebrate life is hibernating or gone to warmer climes.