Sap Suckers

I saw two sapsuckers today. This is a new record. We have always had a stray one come through in the winter and lately I have seen them more frequently, but this was the first time I have seen two of them at once. I hope this is a good sign.

It seems every time I am out walking, I see a different bird. Last week I saw what must have been a snow bunting and there was a herd of larks around in the fall. It's my only solace for the winter, that and the promise of spring.

Walk

Chickens II

Another chicken died. I wish I had been around so I could bury her next to Gladys. Poor old Smokey jr. I look at the chickens and the wild animals around the farm, and I wonder how it is that people can kill them so easily.

On the way out last night, the hunters were out in full force. We tried not to walk too close to the ditch, because we didn't want to flush the ducks out for the hunters. Of course, we still flushed them, they'd fly up and then a second or two later, we could hear the guns.

Golden Crowned Kinglet

A tiny male kinglet flew into the kitchen window this morning. We ran outside and found his tiny body lying on the ground underneath the window. He was still breathing, so we picked him up and placed it in a soft nest up in a tree. I felt so sad, watching his little body trembling and his tiny beak open and close as he panted. I wish he would be okay but I don't think he will be. Later, I went back to look, and he had flown away!

Mysterious White Bird

All sorts of birds are passing through on their way south. Every time I go to the farm, I see a new bird. The woodpeckers are back. They are a little hard to spot, but I can hear their odd little call, and now and then I hear them drumming.

All weekend there was a small flock of tundra swans feeding on the leavings of the corn harvest. The swans were all muddy, especially their heads from where they were rooting around in the soil. While I was out walking, I startled a white bird. I think it might have been a snow bunting. Last week there were a flock of wrens. They had such a beautiful song. I wished they would stay all year round.