Bird Watching & Feeding
BIRDS IN OUR SILVER SPRINGS NEIGHBORHOOD
Bird Watching in Summit County
Sand Hill Cranes in wet lands around Silver Springs - Photo courtesy of Kirsten Kobler
The common name of this greyish-bodied wading bird refers to habitats like that at the Platte River, on the edge of Nebraska’s Sandhills. This is the most important stopover area for the Lesser Sandhill Crane, Grus (canadensis) canadensis, with up to 450,000 of these birds migrating through annually.
The genders look alike. This crane frequently gives a loud trumpeting call that suggests a French-style “r” rolled in the throat.
A male of G. c. canadensis averages 7.4 pounds and 39 inches in length and has a wingspan of 5.3 feet. A male of G. c. tabida averages 11 pounds, 47 inches in length and has a wingspan of 7 feet.
Sand Hill Cranes in wet lands along Willow Creek stream in 1981
- Photo courtesy of Kirsten Kobler
Killdeer - distinctive song sounds like its name — Mourning Dove coos; usually in pairs
Magpie — scavenger, eats other bird’s eggs and their chicks - Friend or Foe ?
Tawny Owl - one local nest was raided by magpies —– Pileated Woodpecker eats tree grubs
Capped Chickadee - flock of six or more, winters here —- Titmouse - flock winters in our area
Mud Swallow chicks wait for feeding — Mud Swallow colony under eave of house
Loggerhead Shrike -This predatory bird stalks insects,
spiders, small mammals, and amphibians from a high
perch. It stores excess food on sharp thorns or fence posts.
The mosquitoes belonging to Culex genera are the principal vector of West Nile virus to humans. They seem to be picky eaters. Studies made on two species, Culex pipiens and Culex restuans, led in North Eastern US, has revealed they prefer to attack certain bird species, in particular the American robin
Analyzing the blood from mosquito feedings, scientists found that 43.4 % was robin, even if they formed about 3.7 % of the bird fauna at the study sites. That means that mosquitoes fed on robins 17 times more than expected in case of no dinning preference.
Analysis of robin blood from trapped birds showed a high prevalence of Vest Nile virus into the robin populations. “The concentration of virus in the blood reveals that there is ‘host competence,’” Kilpatrick explained. “If robins were fed on often but didn’t reproduce the virus, it wouldn’t matter.” In fact, more than half of West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes may have become infected by feeding on robins.
“This has two implications for humans, according to A. Marm Kilpatrick, a senior research scientist at the Consortium for Conservation Medicine in New York. First, by concentrating on a single bird species, mosquitoes transmit the virus more efficiently than if they spread their biting among several species. And because robins arrive early in the spring, epidemics start earlier in the year.”
“When robins are around, they’re fed on a lot by mosquitoes. When robins are absent, the mosquitoes switch to people.” Stefan Anitei, Science Editor, October 12, 2006
Ruby-throated hummingbirds spend their summers in central Utah and in the Summit County area. This little one found Clay to be so sweet that he landed on his hand. Now he is a frequent visitor on our covered deck. ……………..
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DUCKS & GEESE
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CANADIAN GEESEBranta canadensis in Silver Springs |
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 The aerodynamic “V” shape flight pattern is a familiar sight in Silver Springs. Their rich musical honking announces the arrival of the Canadian Geese long before their wedges are seen in the sky |
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Canadian Geese will build a large nest of grass on the ground near the water, or sometimes in the abandoned nests of Swaner’s sandhill crane. The 2010 removal of the grass and trees along the large lake was reason for the nests to be abandoned in the Park area. |
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AVOID SPREADING DISEASE FROM BIRDFEEDERS
It seems almost daily we hear about disease being spread by birds and the possible transmission to humans and other animals. Research suggests that improperly maintained feeders can spread disease. However, we do not know if the risk for disease transmission is any higher at feeders than in the wild. In general, birds that contract and spread diseases at feeders tend to be more social than others, so they would naturally congregate in the wild.
According to the National Wildlife Health Center, there are five diseases that affect birds that visit bird feeders. The diseases are salmonellosis, aspergillosis, avian pox, trichomonias and mycopalmosis. All these diseases can lead to bird deaths either directly or indirectly by making the bird more vulnerable to predators. For more information about these diseases, visit http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/diseases/songbird_diseases.php
Consider these preventive measures to keep birds healthy and lessen the chance of spreading diseases from your bird feeder.
• Give them space. Avoid crowding by providing ample feeders.
• Keep the feeder area clean of waste food and droppings. A broom and shovel work well, but a wet/dry vacuum works even better.
• Make feeders physically safe. Use feeders with rounded corners. Feeders with sharp edges may cut birds, allowing an opening for bacteria to infect otherwise healthy birds.
• Clean and disinfect feeders at least once a month. Use one part of liquid chlorine bleach in nine parts of warm water. Make enough solution to immerse empty feeders completely for two to three minutes. Allow the feeder to air dry.
• Use quality food. Discard food that smells musty, is wet, looks old or has fungus growing on it. Clean and disinfect storage containers or scoops that are used for feed.
• Prevent contamination. Keep rodents and pets out of stored food. Rodents can carry and spread some bird diseases without being affected themselves.
• Spread the word. Tell your bird-feeding neighbors and friends about the risks. Since birds may use several feeders in a neighborhood, your feeder may not be safe until your neighbor’s feeder is safe.
Once you start feeding, chances are good that the birds will become regular visitors at your feeding station. Should you take a trip and your feeders go empty, it is good to know your regular visitors will not starve. Birds are opportunistic and will search for food elsewhere. However, if you leave town for a while and adverse weather sets in, have a neighbor or friend watch your feeders to reduce the stress on your bird guests.
Follow these precautions and you and your birds will continue to enjoy your bird-feeding efforts. Contact Terry Messmer, USU Extension Wildlife Specialist at terrym@ext.usu.edu for further information. (http://extension.usu.edu/htm/news/articleID=4102 also in the 1/3/2009 Park Record Page B-9)