Spring! It’s here! I know many of you will hear from friends further south who take great delight in telling those of us who still have snow on the ground about the snow drops and daffodils. Still for my money there is nothing quite so dramatic as a northern spring.
We know the season has changed when we get so excited about the robins coming back. Many have called to tell me about the number of purple finches they have at feeders. The finch does have quite the like for niger seed.
Many redpolls on the scene as well. Yesterday I had a long chat with Lynette from Fort Nelson about some dead redpolls she has seen. From her description it sounds as if there is a salmonella problem. This would be the time to clean your feeders with a mild bleach solution. Rake up all the discarded seed hulls as well.
Lots of Canada geese and swans flying over now. Not much in the way of open ground for them so we hope they manage. Watch for raptors coming on the scene.
Red-winged blackbirds are back. They do like the peanut butter and fine corn.
A reader from Round Lake tells me he has seen a mountain bluebird and many red-winged blackbirds. He also thinks he has a sick robin.
If you do notice birds that look as if they are sick see if you can catch them and put them in a box or cage with water and seed. They will most often die but at least you can dispose of the little body before disease is spread. A robin will like a bit of apple.
It appears as if the crows are packing sticks here and there as they prepare a nest for the family thing. Ravens are doing the same.
Sharon from Telkwa wanted to know how to stop a pileated woodpecker from hammering at a stop sign. No idea about that, other than moving the stop sign
Evening grosbeaks, never seen so many! They can eat a lot of seed. The pines seem to be more concentrated in the Northeast.
If you are cleaning up any brush in your yard try piling some up for the juncos. They will often nest in piles of sticks.
Grouse are in most areas of the province. They will also feed on fine corn or leftover seed hulls.
Before I go today I would like to take a moment to remind all of us south or north about the importance of taking Vitamin D. Check with your health care provider to see how much to take.
Your excitement about a northern spring came in to 250-846-5095. Pictures and words came to mallory@bulkley.net.
Brenda Mallory writes the weekly For the Birds/Spice of Life columns.
