These Birds will Brighten Up Your Day

By Marilyn Shy, Kalkaska Conservation District

On the coldest, snowiest days of February, a little spot of color outside your window is sure to bring a smile to your face.

And this year, those spots of color, in the form of winter birds, are possibly even more diverse and varied than in other years. Because this year, all of Michigan is experiencing a rare irruption—— a sudden, sharp increase of a natural population——of northern finches. Common redpolls, pine siskins, pine grosbeaks, and evening grosbeaks are some of the colorful birds that are being seen in record numbers across the state, including right here in Kalkaska County.

The actual irruption started in late August, with a higher than usual number of reported sightings of the red-breasted nuthatch. Next came the raspberry-colored purple finches, followed by pine siskins.

But the real treat for birdwatchers this irruption year has been the appearance of evening grosbeaks, which are large finches, the male being a brightly colored yellow and black bird. They often show up in large, noisy flocks and have been known to consume vast quantities of black oil sunflower seeds. Several groups of 20 or more birds have been seen at feeders in our area in the past few weeks, as reported by Cornell’s eBird website.

Redpolls and pine grosbeaks are also being reported in large numbers. One report of common redpolls at a site near Kalkaska listed 40 of these birds on the 16th of February. I have found redpolls to be bold and fearless, swooping down around me as I fill feeders. One year we had redpolls eating seed out of the gloved hand of one of my friends. This is certainly fun to try, especially with your children and grandchildren.

Another species having an irruption year is the Snowy Owl. Snowies spend their summers in the Arctic tundra where they nest on the ground and raise their young on lemmings and other small mammals. They seem to irrupt when there is a large source of food in the summer months, leading to a successful breeding season, and many young snowies.

Their winter territories tend to mimic their tundra homeland. They prefer open fields with healthy small mammal populations like hayfields, with lots of shrubby edge habitat.

Unlike other owls that are active at night, snowies hunt in the day, though mostly at dawn and dusk. During midday, they are often perched on a telephone pole, fencepost, barn or tree in a field, digesting their food, or napping.

Never approach a snowy owl. Always give it space. If you flush it, that causes the bird to use extra calories and might disrupt its hunting or its feeding. If you care about the bird, enjoy it from a distance, and watch it with binoculars or a spotting scope.

Birdwatching can be fun in any season, but this winter it is extra special. Whether watching your feeders out the window, or driving the roads in farm country looking for snowies, seeing wild creatures is always thrilling. So get out those binoculars and enjoy our winged friends! You’ll be glad you did.