2018 Great Backyard Bird Count

Update:  Check out the official results at GBBC 2018 Summary

Last weekend, birdwatchers from across the globe turned their attention to their own yards to identify species and count their numbers. It's a fun event and regardless of experience, anyone can participate. The best part - you don't have to leave the comfort of your home.  The event ran for four days from February 16 - 19. I logged in two to three checklists a day from Saturday thru Monday. The weather changed drastically over the weekend, from sunny and mild to cold with several inches of snow.

Saturday morning

Sunday morning

Although it seemed like there were fewer birds at the feeders this year, I did identify 12 individual species. Here is what I saw:

Black-capped Chickadee

Chickadees, the quintessential bird feeder bird, were particularly scarce.  None of the three birds that I saw the entire weekend remained still for long to capture a good photo.

Dark-eyed (slate-colored) Junco

 

 By far the most common bird of the weekend were the Juncos, with 14 appearing at one time. They enjoy picking the ground for food, but will also eat from the feeder. Although I can't distinguish the difference, the males are more prominent here in the winter as the females will migrate further south where there is less competition for food (1).

Northern Cardinal

The cardinals never disappoint and have been faithful visitors all winter long. They are also very accepted by other birds as is evident from their willingness to share the feeder with smaller birds.

Blue Jay

Although similar in size and shape, unlike cardinals, Blue Jays do not like sharing food with others.

Tufted Titmouse

Mourning Dove

The unobtrusive Mourning Dove is a soulful bird. When not feeding underneath the feeders, they are often seen keeping a watchful eye from the roof of our house. Unfortunately, due to their abundance, around 40 states allow hunting of doves. I am happy that New Hampshire is not one of them.

Suet attracts many birds, but is a favorite of woodpeckers in the winter. We typically have three species that visit regularly.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

A bird that has gradually expanded its range north, the red belly of this woodpecker is more difficult to see than it's red nape. 

Downy Woodpecker

Male Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker-Male

Hairy Woodpecker-Female

At a quick glance, it may be difficult to distinguish between the Downy and the Hairy Woodpecker. But once you see them together, you will notice the size difference. Not only is the Hairy about three inches longer, its bill is also larger. In both species, only the male has a red patch on the top of its head. 

White-breasted Nuthatch

 

Although not a woodpecker, the behavior of nuthatches is similar, climbing up and down trees searching for food. Nuthatches often travel facing downward. Unlike woodpeckers which use their tail to assist, they climb using only their feet. They are also are one of the few species of birds that have been observed using a tool to assist with feeding. They may take a piece of bark and use it to excavate for food on the trunk of a tree (1). 

White-throated Sparrow

 

Sparrows are one of those birds that may be easy to disregard. However, each species is unique and worthy of a closer look. Only one sparrow visited the feeder last weekend. In addition to the white throat, this sparrow has an attractive yellow patch over its eyes.

House Finch

 

I am not one hundred percent certain of this identification and even though New Hampshire's state bird is the Purple Finch, I believe that the two pairs that visited our feeder last weekend were House Finches. The male House Finch doesn't have a red back and has more distinct stripes on its belly.

Finally, birds were not the only visitors to the feeders. Where we used to have Red squirrels in our back yard, that has changed in recent years to Gray Squirrels which definitely consume more of the food intended for the birds. Although I could do without them, It is fun to watch their agility and acrobatic maneuvers.

The squirrel on the left seems to be patiently waiting his turn, while the one on the right is not in any hurry to finish eating.

And, evidence of increasing winter temperatures, is the fact that a chipmunk was seen below the feeder last weekend. Chipmunks typically hibernate during the winter, only awaking every few days, to eat food they have stashed and to defecate. A study at Fordham University (2) observed that as winter temperatures warmed, some chipmunks did not hibernate or awoke earlier from hibernation. Unfortunately, for those that did not hibernate, they did not survive the winter. A sobering thought for other hibernating species as global temperatures warm.

Chipmunks should not be out and about in February

Footnote:
(1) The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior, David Allen Sibley, 2001 
(2)  https://legacy.fordham.edu/campus_resources/enewsroom/archives/archive_1094.asp

Quinoa with Tomatoes and Peppers

Quinoa is packed with protein and iron and is low-fat. This is an easy way to prepare it for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
2 cups broth
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup red onion chopped
1 sweet red or yellow pepper chopped
1 chili pepper chopped
1 garlic clove minced
1-14.5 ounce diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
salt and pepper
shredded cheese and parsley for garnish

Rinse quinoa, add to broth and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until cooked, about 15  minutes. In skillet, heat oil and saute onion until soft. Add sweet pepper and cook 2 minutes. Add garlic and chili pepper and cook 1 minute. Add can of tomatoes and spices and simmer covered for 5 minutes. Stir in cooked quinoa, heat through and serve with garnish.    

Is there such a thing as a free lunch?

Money doesn't grow on trees.

If you receive a paycheck, chances are you have or will soon be seeing in increase in your take-home pay this month. For some it may be small and for others it will be significant. This additional money is a result of the changes to the tax code for 2018 and is primarily a due the lowering of the tax brackets. Some people will be elated; but, for me, I am just concerned. 

Whether you are a business, the government or an individual, you need money to function. Dollars are continually being passed from one entity to another. Individuals and businesses pass money to the government in the form of taxes in return for services. These services come in many forms such as well maintained roads, safe water to drink, grants and loans to attend college, clean air to breath, medical services in times of need, or a park where people can come to experience history or nature. If less money is being passed to the government, than fewer dollars are available to provide for these services. Over the past year after Washington proposed massive cuts to federal programs such as the State Department (33%),  Environmental Protection Agency (31%), Department of Agriculture (21%), Department of Labor (21%) and Department of Health and Human Services (18%) it became clear through public demonstrations and formal public comments that the vast majority of Americans value and depend upon the services provided by the government. This is also demonstrated by Congress who has not yet passed a 2018 budget, and by their on-going Continuing Resolutions continue to appropriate funding at 2017 levels.

In addition, tragedies such as drinking water contamination in Flint, Michigan; wildfire and mudslides in California, hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico make it abundantly clear that the federal government needs to be investing more money in public services, including long overdue upgrades to transportation and utility infrastructure. And, if the federal government is unable to pay for these services, than the expenses will be passed down to states and municipalities, resulting in no savings at all.

Finally, this article in Saturday's Washington Post The U.S. government is set to borrow nearly $1 trillion this year, an 84 percent jump from last year shows that the national debt continues to be a huge problem that will only get worse as a result of the new tax reform law. There truly is no such thing as a "free lunch."