Reprieve from the wintery weather

After two days inside due to heavy rain and then sleet and ice, I was able to get back to Arcadia Trail Park when the temperature got above freezing in the afternoon. The birds were much more numerous than they have been lately, all trying to get enough to eat to deal with the below freezing temperatures and the ice covering the ground. Many were taking advantage of the feeders maintained by Naturenut. Many that aren't as common in that area decided to get a free meal today like the Red-bellied Woodpecker, Brown Thrasher, Spotted Towhee. While lately there have been few Harris's Sparrows, today there were many. However, the birds that are most often seen lately, the Yellow-rumped Warbler and the Ruby-Crowned Kinglet were not seen at all. There were many female Red-winged Blackbirds and White-winged Doves as usual. The Robins were out on the grassy areas taking advantage of the moist soil once the ice had melted. We haven't seen our Great Horned Owl in quite some time so wonder if she has found somewhere else with an available nest for her. We have not found any nest in the park of sufficient size for an owl's nest so it has been two years since we have had an owl's nest. A snow storm is predicted for tomorrow. While over all it has been a mild winter, the harshest weather is coming here at the end.

Posted on 25 February, 2015 03:17 by taogirl