There really isn’t much to say about January. The days were in the 20’s & the nights in the single digits. The weather was gray & gloomy. Typical. Except for the lack of snow. All the precipitation went south of us, WAY south into Maryland. The skiers & sledders are none-too-pleased, that is for [...]]]>

January 2010:

There really isn’t much to say about January. The days were in the 20’s & the nights in the single digits. The weather was gray & gloomy. Typical. Except for the lack of snow. All the precipitation went south of us, WAY south into Maryland. The skiers & sledders are none-too-pleased, that is for sure. We have seen more sleds for sale in people’s icy-muddy-snow-less yards.

Every-time we would get snow, it would be gone within a couple days. But, only after you had to roof-rake. Not to say there is NO snow. There is. That icy-crusted snow that crunches under your feet when you try & navigate to the mailbox. Just enough to surprise you when you aren’t paying attention, as you get to the divet in the yard & plummet a foot down, loosing your shoe while soaking your sock.

The critters knew this too. The squirrels kept to the trees. The Turkeys came about every once & awhile. Abe disapeared for some time. Even the barn cats kept to the paths.

Food usage was minimal. Sunflower was the most used. Next suet.

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February 2010:

This month, Mud Season started early. The sun is much warmer than usual & the ground proved it. The tire tracks in the driveway are sure signs of what is to come. Granted the days were in the 30sF & the nights in the 20sF.

The freeze-thaw effect is incredible. When the trucks with plows on them go by, all one hears is the loud “clack-clang-thump” of the plow against the frost heaves. Now, I am happy to think of how slow people will need to go this summer, so as not to bottom out there cars. We did get some heavy snowfall this month. And, the WIND was Amazing! It took the top off our chimney cage just to deposited it on the other side of the barn.

The Crows & Ravens know spring is near by. They are around more often then not. 2 Crows have decided that our area is theirs. I believe it may be Abe & a mate. The limp is gone, but the mannerisms are similar. I would like to think he made it through the winter & healed.

We have seen a significant change in the critter-life here .. from the 2nd week of Feb. on. Flocks of dozens of goldfinches have been bombarding the feeders. I am thinking that getting a bag of thistle may be a good idea. It sure wouldn’t be wasted. Pine Grosbeaks have also made an appearance. Finn has seen Waxwings a little south of us, in the Lakes region. Raccoons are more active again. AND there has been a Huge increase in the squirrel population.

Spring is in the air … I don’t care what furry “Phil” said.

Crowhill is a location near Plymouth, which is used by a bird-counter for the NH Audubon society.  So in a way, we are officially on the map

What I will be posting here is what we have been seeing lately … both in birds and animals.

Being this blog was [...]]]>

One quick thing to note …

Crowhill is a location near Plymouth, which is used by a bird-counter for the NH Audubon society.  So in a way, we are officially on the map

What I will be posting here is what we have been seeing lately … both in birds and animals.

Being this blog was just started, I will need to do a recap for the earlier portion of this year. Some things have changed quite a bit from previous years.

Pine Grosbeaks are summering here, they started to come last winter, due to the number of berries available to them from the trees & bushes. The number of Crow fledges are up. I have even seen an increase in Raven fledges. I don’t believe it is because of tourism … which is actually down due to the rain. The Peregrines are nesting are nesting now & have closed down several rock climbing areas (fingers crossed for a good year)!

The number of Bard Owls are down from last year (2 years of very rough winters, I suspect). The number of hummingbirds are also down. We haven’t had to put up the additional 4 feeders. This may also be weather related … too much rain, cool temps & the lack of flower growth. We haven’t seen the Turkeys yet, either. This time last year there were quite a few.

Raccoons and Foxes are doing quite well. And so are the Rodents. Several people I know have seen specific wild cats in the area … which is a blessing, thus the species shall not be named. Moose have been seen feeding in the town green & at the library (Ours, not Plymouth’s). The Black Bears have been really quiet. Plenty of food in the woods .. which is wonderful.

Food Consumption: Suet is up, sunflower seeds are up, hummingbird food down, mixed seed down & thistle is too expensive to purchase.

In Order of Quantity (unless noted otherwise) …

Jan – April:

Birds: Black-Capped Chickadees, Hairy & Downy Woodpeckers, American Goldfinches, Robins, Crows, Ravens, Turkey, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals,

Animals: Raccoons, Red & Gray Squirrels, Fox

May – June:

Birds: Grosbeaks – Evening, Red-Breasted, Pine & yes, a couple Blue’s, Black-Capped Chickadees, American Goldfinches, Robin’s, Hairy & Downy Woodpeckers, Common Grackles, Crows, Purple Finches, Blue Jays, Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, Ruby Throated Hummingbirds, Catbirds, Mockingbirds, Sharp-Shinned Hawks (our population supervisors), Indigo Buntings, Starlings, House Sparrows, Field Sparrows, Grasshopper Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Ravens, Dark-Eyed Juncos, Northern Cardinals, Brown Headed Cowbirds, Baltimore Oriels, Sharp-Shinned Hawks (our population supervisors), Peregrine Falcons, Northern Goshawks, Black & Turkey Vultures, American Kestrels, Bald Eagles

Animals: Red & Gray Squirrels, Chipmunks, Mice, Raccoons, Gray Fox, Moose, 1-Star-Nosed Mole