Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009

Migrants, winter residents mingle

While the vast majority of migrant songbirds may have already made their way through our area en route to more tropical quarters for the winter, a few stragglers continue to be seen.

A Northern parula made a brief visit here last week and spent the better part of an hour gleaning insect prey from the foliage of several shrubs and trees as well as taking advantage of a birdbath for a quick dip.

Clean, fresh water is an essential element of a bird habitat and often attracts species that normally do not frequent backyard bird feeders, especially during migration periods.

As this fall's songbird migration winds down, many of our winter residents are finding their way back to customary sites for the season.

The chattering of ruby-crowned kinglets is becoming a more common sound of late. White-throated sparrow numbers are increasing and should continue to do so for the next few months.

It's nice to hear their sweetly whistled songs and "seet" calls in our area again. These "little brown jobs" will soon be joined by juncos and other sparrow species at backyard feeding stations as well as in our more natural areas.

Goldfinches due later

A few folks have inquired of late as to when goldfinches will return to their feeders.

While their appearance varies a bit from location to location, these little finches don't normally start to show up at my feeders until the latter part of this month, and their numbers usually increase throughout the winter months.

Goldfinches, as well as a number of other bird species, are quite fond of the seeds of native sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) trees, and may be found frequenting those well before they appear at bird feeders.

Sweetgum trees are also popular with woodpeckers, especially our winter resident yellow-bellied sapsuckers. In addition, hummingbirds and many other winter birds frequent the drillings of sapsuckers for both sap and the insect prey it attracts.

Orioles arriving

The numbers of the Baltimore oriole flock that winters here annually appear to be increasing.

Recent cool, wet days have made members of that troupe a bit more conspicuous around here as they take advantage of hummingbird feeders and grape jelly provided for their benefit.

Swampfest

Playcard Swamp Environmental Center will hold its annual Swampfest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

You can find out more about the event by visiting www.horrycountyschools.net and selecting "Playcard Center" from the "Select a school" drop-down menu at the top right of the page.