While I was out filling the water tanks this weekend I watched our resident bald eagle take wing from his perch down in the back pasture. My guess is this will be the last time I see him for a while as his flight seemed to have a purpose very different from all the others I have watched him take this Winter.
His head is now almost completely white so he is reaching adulthood and before too much time had passed he joined another baldy and they flew off to the Southwest together. Haven't seen him since.
Then yesterday I noticed another familiar silhouette gliding across the sky that hasn't been around in a few months. The return of the Turkey Vultures.
I never noticed these large ugly carrion birds migrated until a few Winters ago because I just never paid them any attention. Not that I especially pay much attention to them now either but I do make it a point to watch for them landing on the property these days. If they land that usually means there is something dead and I kinda like to know if they have found remains I need to be aware of. Last Summer they really started to take an interest in the old nags and although I really wanted to feed em that buffet the vultures are going to have to wait a bit longer yet.
The return of the vultures were not the only feathered signs we had this week though. Several pairs of Bluebirds have been seen picking out boxes and the night sky is filled with snow geese sounds as they fly over. The Redtailed hawks are now returning to their warm weather lookout spots as the eagles leave. My guess is that the Redtails move into the denser wooded areas when the eagles come in and claim the good spots during the Winter as I have not read that the Redtails migrate. They do almost disappear out in the open though.
As far as our domestic birds go the warmer sunny days have boosted egg production with the hens. We fell to an average of about 9 to 10 eggs a day when it was colder but jumped back up to 15 the last two days.
If the birds are any sure sign looks like we may be getting that early Spring the ground hog said we were.
Keep Prepping Everyone!!!!!!
PP,
ReplyDeleteMy orchids are presenting fresh new buds, another sure sign spring is around the corner.
Sandy - I noticed several trees around here were budding out too. Not much longer!!!
DeleteOur vultures stay here year round, if I see a bunch of them going somewhere in a hurry, it is because of a nasty storm front coming. Anyway I have seen a bluebird and also a frog so it is warming some. Some grass growth would be nice.
ReplyDeleteSf -I haven't seen any frogs yet but I have heard em each night up until last night again. They should be back chirping by tomorrow though.
DeleteI am up in Edmonton Alberta and was absolutely stunned when I got buzzed by some low-flying Canada geese! I've NEVER seen them back this early!
ReplyDeleteI welcome the early spring and if this is the climate change the stupid kids are all fearful about - sign me up!
I'm in southern Alberta and we had geese heading north for 2 weeks now.
DeleteExile1981
We get geese that stay all Winter but most of the snows and blues just fly over at high altitude.
DeleteYep a degree up on the average isn't such a bad thing me thinks :)
PP,
ReplyDeleteHeres an article on a heritage sheep breed used by the vikings.
Exile1981
http://www.hakaimagazine.com/article-long/no-wool-no-vikings
Exile - That was a neat article. Never heard of that type of sheep or that way of getting the wool. Very interesting thank you for linking it.
DeleteI am hearing more birds lately. I seem to see vultures all year round.
ReplyDelete