This morning we traveled north to Olha just a few miles from our village of Oakburn. There is a lake, Paterson Lake, that has open water where the lake is aerated all winter. This keeps the trout from dying of lack of oxygen. In the open water and on the adjoining ice there were several dozen Canada geese. At Olha we bought a huge sack of sunflower seeds. The birds are going through the seed at a great rate now. Perhaps they are getting ready to mate!
The red polls have been swariming over the feeder all day. A few juncos try to find a space as well but most are content to feast on the ground on fallen seed. The downy woodpecker was also at the feeder on and off during the day. I saw not a single house sparrow. There are always a few chickadees. The feeder was running on empty until I opened the new sack.
I asked the lady at Olha what she called the juncos, black eyed juncos, or slate coloured juncos. She says she calls them snowbirds because when you see them it is a sign of snow! Maybe that is true both in spring and fall!
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