Stormy Autumn Days

I’m writing this on Saturday afternoon and the Peninsula is getting hosed.  We got the bird feeders in just in time~ the seed gets soaked and the feeders usually end up in the ditch across the road in a storm like this.   I wonder where the birds hunker down during a washout like this.   What I read is that land birds get as close to a tree trunk as possible, on the lee side and just wait it out.  Small birds like chickadees will group together for warmth. Water birds find the protected side of the lake or river, face into the wind, and ride the waves.  Healthy birds are waterproof, so by facing into the wind, they keep the water out of their feathers.  Unlike horses and cattle who you usually see tail-ends to the storm.  Not waterproof either way, I guess.

This is an early storm and it’s hitting during the peak of Fall migration.  Not a good thing.   The high, wet winds will be a hindrance to southerly flight and cause birds to use up much more energy than on a dry, windless journey.  They have been stoking up on seed and insects just for this trip, and hopefully will have adequate food stores to get where they need to.  The flocks will make stops along the way to refuel, once they’ve left the storm behind.   A kind request:  if you run your dog on the beach and see a big flock of sandpipers this time of year, they’re doing the refueling thing.  If they are chased off their feeding ground, it causes them to waste valuable energy.  Let your pooch chase a stick this time around and give the birds a break.

Birds are definitely on the move south.  The little cinnamon-green hummers - Rufous, by name, are now few and far between at our feeders.  I have a feeder just outside my office window where the cat and I can watch these little guys duke it out with the pugnacious Anna’s hummers.   Only the Anna’s  are here now, and they will stay the winter.   Our Anna’s perches in the ell of the house, on the lee side out of the rain by the chimney and makes forays to the nearest feeder.  These are greener feathered hummers, and the males'  gorgets, or throat plates, are a vivid maroon when they catch the light.  Stunning. 

As I type, an immature Anna's just briefly checked out the feeder.  His, or her, color is still undefined, lots of gray mixed in with white and brown/green.   So tiny, and their feet- delicate perfect black toes, almost hairlike.  I love the way most birds neatly tuck feet and legs back when flying, then extend them just perfectly when landing.  A small thing, but a gift to observe, I think. 

As the days shorten and the rains continue, I'll watch for the Anna's at the feeder.    I'll look forward to their buzzing-around-my-head demands when I go out in the cold to refresh their feeder.   Even if it's raining, there are wild things to bring joy.