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Bird arrivals trump pity party

Talking about birds, so many reports have come in. Seems like a few warblers showing up around Smithers.
20265smithersTyheeLake_W_C_Sparrow_PNH_02
This male white-crowned sparrow was caught singing his heart out at Tyhee Lake Provincial Park.

Iwas going to invite all of you to a pity party. I thought the best way to explain why I did not talk to you last week  was to list all my woes.

You know, things like I had a sore arm and could not type.

I could have told you about how this new computer will not listen to me when I talk to it.

Should I mention that I have an old dog that has to be put to rest?

Forget all that.

I know from talking to so many of you that I really don’t have things so bad.

The sun shines and the leaves are out on the poplar trees.

Many of the wild flowers have sent the green out of the ground.

Soon you will be able to identify a variety of wild flowers.

A great book to help you is titled, “Plants of Northern British Columbia”, written by Mackinnon, Pojar and Coupe.

A good book to carry as you set about looking at all the birds.

Talking about birds, so many reports have come in.

Seems like a few warblers showing up.

The very yellow, yellow warbler is here and the yellow rumped has been reported from all areas.

The big problem those birds have is the arrival of cowbird.

The parasitic cowbird will lay its eggs in many other nests but the warblers species is most at risk.

Had a couple reports of the yellow-headed blackbird; one from Tyhee lake, the other from Round Lake.

The red-winged blackbirds are here in great numbers and in the northeast as well.

The cranes have travelled through here.

Had a great picture from the editor of the Fort Nelson News showing  hundreds of cranes in that area.

The swallows are busy in the nearby field.

They seemed kind of close to my head.

They might want white hair for their nests or maybe they thought a head like mine might make a good nest.

Lorne said it is great fun to throw feathers out for the swallows.

He managed to get some good feathers at the Dollar Store.

The purple finch are here in great numbers as well as in the northeast. Sharon from Fort Nelson said to remind you to be aware of the red crossbill.

A good look at the bills should clear up any confusion.

Many smaller birds are not as obvious right now since they are busy with nesting.

I watched as chickadee ripped away at some yellow pansies.

Eating the flower? Bugs?  Nesting material?

Who knows?

Thanks for listening to me and for the calls about birds and other things that come to 250-846-5095.

This new computer is happy to receive your messages when  they come to mallory@bulkley.net.