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On the Trail of Winter Birds

by Peter Hope

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Are you heading out for some winter fun and exploration, perhaps on skis or on foot, and wondering about what birds you might encounter in our Northern Queen County woodlands this winter. There is always some birdlife to be enjoyed here but the actual species present can vary dramatically from one winter to another. One never knows exactly what will be found. There is an answer available thanks to a local annual survey. For the last 19 years Caledonia residents have completed a Christmas Bird Count. This event follows a century long North American tradition of a one day survey of the local birdlife during the three week period centered around Christmas Day. Over 30 species of birds are normally found on every Caledonia count but with all the variations over 65 different species have been reported at least once. All of this means there are lots of bird possibilities to search for during an outing. I find on quiet days it is often the tap, tap, tapping of a woodpecker that first gets my attention. At times I have to leave the trail and follow the sound until I catch site of movement leading me to discover either the smaller downy or the larger hairy woodpecker. We seem to have more woodpeckers of all kinds than elsewhere in the province. On calm winter days the high pitched call of the pileated woodpecker can be heard for a long distance. During winter you will find more birds in softwood or mixed wood stands. The thick evergreens break the cold winds while their cones provide key food for many species. That is good habitat to see or hear black-capped chickadees. If you remain still, and call with a "pish, pish, pish" sound, many curious birds will often come closer to investigate. It always amazed me that a tiny chickadee can do very well during the depth of winter. Stop to see what else is with them as typically a mixed flock of birds will be found searching for food with the chickadees. Golden-crowned kinglets are even smaller but their high, thin call can indicate their presence. The noisy and easy to detect red-breasted nuthatch is usually less shy and intriguing to watch as it walks down trees head first. Perhaps you’ll spot the thin brown strips on the back of a brown creeper and note its curved bill, great for finding tiny bugs under flakes of bark. This winter American goldfinches are one of the most common species present in flocks from two to four dozen. Purple finches are being seen in smaller numbers but the reddish purple colour of the males makes them stand out. We have a poor cone crop in the spruces this year in Queens County. However, eastern Nova Scotia seems to have a natural abundance of food which has lured our crossbills, pine siskins and other species from great distances to those food rich woodlands. While you are outdoors this winter keep alert to the sights and sounds of winter birds. Any outing looking for winter birds can take on the atmosphere of a treasure hunt as we search out elusive species, but there are enough of them around to enlighten even a cold day.

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