Wayne G. Barber Musings...

Posted by Wayne G. Barber and Photo by Wayne G. Barber

Wayne G. Barber Musings....

This morning, as I was enjoying my breakfast of a piping hot maxell house coffee, oatmeal, local honey and some local blackberries with a couple of chicadees and a nuthatch, a starling dropped by, took one look at my eating my oatmeal, and flew up and away to who knows where. I didn't take it personally. I was just delighted that at least some of what I refer to as "my winter birds" are gradually returning to the bird feeder outside my new office window.

Cats, glass windows and pesticides have all taken their toll on birds along with the loss of essential habitat. Earlier this month, it was shocking to read the latest news published in the jounal "Science" about the decline in bird populations. The number of birds are reported to have dropped by 29 percent, a loss of 2.9 Billion fewer birds in North America than there were 50 years ago.(Radar data since 2007 also showed a steep decline in birds migrating at night.)

 In our new home in Connecticut we have some good news that include the increase in bald eagles and the majestic osprey.

 As the weeks go by, will more of my winter birds join me for breakfast ? No dive bombing, please. But I would like to dine with a dark-eyed junco, a tufted titmouse or even a downy woodpecker or two on the suet block.