Pine Siskins return to St. Croix River Valley

Winter came back yesterday!  Along with snow flurries, temps in the teens and blustery winds, the new year’s first flock of adorable Pine Siskins have arrived.  Hungry and thirsty, they attacked the nyjer thistle socks and lined up along the rim of the heated bird baths.  Such sweet, animated, friendly little fliers!   It’s always a treat to play cold-weather host to these charming birds.  Now, all we need is some serious snow and it will really seem like winter.

*Sorry for the poor quality photo but LaBonBon has a rotator cuff injury.

Bon Bon Pond Theme Song Returns!

Click the console 

on the right 

to hear the 

Bon Bon Pond 

Theme Song.

Record Temps Continue

 It’s 54 degrees in Stillwater, MN on January 10^th.  Unbelievable!  Beautiful day to head outside and spend some quality time with my feathered friends.

Want to get up close and personal with the birds?  Drop down to the ground.  When you make yourself lower and smaller you pose less of a threat.

Please Help Operation Migration!

They Need Our Support!

Due to bureaucratic red tape, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has halted Operation Migration, the annual aviator-led program that uses a bird-like plane to lead captivity-raised whooping cranes to their winter home. The government agency brought this year’s migration to a grinding stop in Alabama while it investigates a technicality over both the pilots' status as paid contractors and the classification of aircraft used. 

                                                        

Operation Migration is asking for public support to resume the migration IMMEDIATELY.  Please sign the group’s guestbook and make your voice heard.  Supportive comments will be collected and forwarded to the FAA.

Full Story: 

http://www.operationmigration.org/Field_Journal.html

Operation Migration Guestbook: 

http://pub44.bravenet.com/guestbook/show.php?usernum=3721923115&cpv=1#bn-service-top

Support Operation Migration:

http://www.operationmigration.org/contribute.htm 

Make It a Great One!

The Artistry of Trees

Like Joyce Kilmer, I adore trees.  There are many species around Bon Bon Pond—most importantly, the majestic oak savannah which rings the water.  These hard woods are the heart and soul of the area as they secure the shoreline plus provide food and shelter for the wildlife.  

Even after its life has ended, the mighty oak continues its service to nature, both attracting insects to feed the wild birds and offering its trunk for roosting/nesting cavities. Unless a deceased oak directly threatens the house, it is never removed but rather left to perform its invaluable service to the ecosystem and awe inspire us with its God-given beauty. 

In the Spotlight

The nutcracker suite is not just a seasonal treat around Bon Bon Pond, thanks to a tiny tuxedoed-acrobat named “Picoides pubescens.”  Commonly called the Downy Woodpecker, this outgoing year-round resident  delights with a “bird ballet” each and every day. I never get tired of observing his undulating avian arabesques and pirouettes as he flits from oak to asp and poplar to pine.

Perhaps no other in the ornithological class has benefited more from intense birding efforts around Bon Bon Pond than the Downy.  The past three years have seen the species explode in population.  These people-friendly fliers dominate the suet feeders and have a hankering for peanuts and sunflower hearts. 

The smallest and most abundant species of the Woodpecker family, these white and black beauties are just a little over six inches with a small bill.  Males are distinguished via a red nape patch. Downy pairs produce one brood each year.  White it’s said the clutch size is between three to eight white eggs, I’ve never seen more than five hatchlings. They nest and also roost in dead trees where they excavate cavities.

Darling Downys consume large numbers of harmful insects such as beetles, ants, and weevils. It upsets me that these beneficial birds often get such a bum rap—mostly from property owners who are outraged over damage to homes, barns and other buildings.  A Google search will turn up three basic reasons for Downy drilling:  (1) insect infestation; (2) marking territory during breeding season; or (3) searching for a mate.  Around Bon Bon Pond most of the drilling occurs in the fall and winter which pretty much eliminates possibilities two and three.  I remain convinced that the much-maligned Downy is in search of insects and as such is actually an invaluable aid to homeowners, alerting us when rotting boards needs to be replaced.    

Downys and their other woodpecker cousins can also help us identify trees that are in danger.  If you notice intense woodpecker attention--especially to elms, apples or ashes--it’s a good idea to have the tree examined by an accredited arborist.

However you interpret their activities, please remember all woodpeckers are classified as migratory, nongame birds and are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. 

Listen to the Downy Woodpecker call and drum: 

http://www.all-birds.com/Sound/Downy%20Woodpecker.wav