Monday, January 5, 2015

Indicators of the Coming Cold Front

If you watch nature closely, you soon pick up that the birds seem to know when a major weather front or event is approaching.  Early this morning before it was light enough to try for a decent shot, large flocks of Cedar Waxwings, Red-winged Blackbirds and Robins were high up in the Sweet Gum trees.  There are several around the house which I dislike except for the fact the birds like them.

All day long, the flocks have flown from tree to tree picking apart the gum balls to get seed.  The Robins eventually moved to the yards and picked them clean of anything edible.  The Robins then moved on to a hedge row of holly shrubs.  Some of the Waxwings tried to come in but the Robins would chase them off.

The Robins gorged themselves on berries then would come drink for a bit then back for more berries.

The mad feeding frenzy always seems to take place right before a major change in the weather.  Who needs the weather folks!

4 comments:

Coppertop said...

Love your Robin photo Paula, it is colorful and brings Spring to mind!
We are in for the cold as well and will be hibernating for that time!
Stay warm and safe.

Unknown said...

Perhaps the weather people should be taught to be birders. *grin* Unfortunately, we didn't have many birds today. I am wondering if my feeders need to be cleaned out.

I like the top photo with the berry. At first glance, it looks like the bird has a hole in him and that you can see the green through him.

Nature Girl said...

Thanks Liz. I think Robins are generally associated with spring. I am always fascinated when I watch the behavior of a large flock of them. The cold has arrived this morning and we too are in for a couple of days of very cold weather.

Nature Girl said...

Hi Gladys, There is definitely something to those old wives tale sayings and folklore. I had a hard time trying to catch one of the birds getting a berry. They always wanted to hide behind a branch.