November 29th, 2011

It’s a miserable, soaker of a day today that has caused the postponement of visits to Blair by two Grade 1 classes.  But as we grumble and complain and try to skirt the puddles, there is nowhere to hide for our feathered friends.  Some birds will wait out the worst of the weather in the shelter of a tree cavity or in a stand of conifers and will be none the worse for wear once things clear.  Other species like the goldfinch don’t store much food as fat and must seek out food as fuel to keep them from perishing.

My weather station had recorded 18mm of rain at first check this morning, and is now showing an accumulation of 38mm over the past 24 hours. There hasn’t been an empty perch at the finch feeders all day long – in fact there has been a lot of jostling for position among the dozens of birds.  Earlier today a small flock of pine siskins were foraging on the ground under some cedar trees, and only the occasional chickadee or cardinal ventured out to sneak a snack.  But as I peer out the rain-streaked window in late afternoon I have to admire the fortitude of the tiny goldfinches for their perseverance and hope it’ll be a better day for us all tomorrow.