by John Baldwin
I think that it can now be safely said that our summer birds have departed for warmer climes. However, all is not lost and some of the birds, that spend their warmer days to the north of us, have returned here, to stay for the winter. One of the most striking is the Slate Grey Junco, which is primarily a ground feeder that enjoys pecking around the bases of our feeders and in amongst the small bushes. Our other regular birds are still here, the Wood Pigeons, our daily flock numbers over 20, at the moment, Black Capped Chickadees, Blue Jays, Cardinals, the two types of Nuthatches, The White Breasted and the Rose Breasted, and our Woodpeckers, the Hairy and the Downy. The latter two are easily remembered by the words “huge” for the “ hairy” and “diminutive” for the “Downy”! Well, — maybe, — not so easily remembered, but they do help!
The Autumn (Fall) leaves are still beautiful but are starting to fall a little more rapidly, as cooler evenings and the wind make their effects known. The grass below the trees becomes ever-more covered in leaves and the trees take on that bare look, that warns us that winter is not too far away! I hope that everyone stays fit and well.
