Cold temperatures, strong winds and threatening rain seemed to keep our bird numbers low during both walks today at Wilket Creek. In fact, the only birds singing apart from near the parking lot feeders were a Chipping Sparrow in the morning:

and a Northern Flicker in the afternoon. Flickers are seen on the ground more often than other woodpeckers, investigating ant hills for their preferred food, ants. The afternoon group had a good look at this one:

Other birds:

8 am group:

11:30 am group:

NATURE POETRY

The Wind

O you that are so strong and cold,

O blower, are you young or old?

Are you a beast of field and tree,

Or just a stronger child than me?

O wind, a-blowing all day long,

O wind, that sings so loud a song! – Robert Louis Stevenson

Miles Hearn