Lakes Basin Winter

Snowscape

Last Monday we went up to the Lakes Basin and hiked in the snow! It was a gorgeous blue-sky day and the snow was super sparkly! Such beauty! Surprisingly the snow was mainly absent in the sunny areas, but about 6" deep in the shady places. It was wonderful to be back in the Lakes Basin again!

Sierra Buttes above Sardine Lake - 12/09/19

We hiked up to Sardine Lake which wasn't frozen,
but the Sierra Buttes were blanketed in snow!

Bufflehead  - Bucephala albeola

We were delighted to find a pair of Buffleheads on the lake!  They are the smallest diving duck in North America, measuring only 13.5" in length.  Usually they migrate to lower elevations, or even the California coast, by mid-November!  They feed on aquatic insects, mollusks, and crustaceans.  During the mating season the male (left) has a much larger patch of white feathers on the side and back of its head.

my feeding station - chicken wire on windows to prevent bird crashes

To Feed or not to Feed

I did some more research on the pros and cons of feeding birds, and have decided to keep feeding the birds in winter.  To maintain bird health at my feeding station, I will clean my feeding station regularly, rake away old seeds and hulls weekly, and keep my birdseed from getting moldy.  Here is an excerpt from an excellent article I found at massaudubon.org (Massachusettes Audubon). It is a lot of information, but it is  important to read if you're considering feeding birds in winter.

"Common Bird Diseases

The four diseases that most frequently affect birds that use feeders are: salmonella, trichomoniasis, aspergillosis, and avian pox. All of these diseases are transmitted from one bird to another at feeding stations, especially when overcrowding occurs. 

The most common disease of feeder birds, Salmonellosis is caused by bacteria from the genus Salmonella and often begins as an intestinal-tract infection. Symptoms such as diarrhea, ruffled feathers, and lethargy usually occur. Birds who are showing symptoms usually die in 1 to 3 days.  The disease can spread rapidly at crowded feeding stations as healthy birds eat food contaminated by the droppings of sick birds. Salmonella can be transmitted to people who handle sick or dead birds; always wear disposable gloves when handling infected birds. And wash hands thoroughly after touching a bird feeder or birdbath.

Trichomoniasis is caused by a group of one-celled protozoa and regularly affects many bird species. One strain of the parasite infects pigeons and doves and, in turn, their predators, such as hawks and falcons. In some strains of the disease, birds develop sores in their mouths or throats; because they are unable to swallow, contaminated food is dropped and consumed by other birds, thus spreading the infection.

Aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by the Aspergillus fungus, which can be found in damp or wet seed mixtures, in birds' nesting materials, or in landfills. Spores inhaled into the lungs and air sacs of birds eventually cause pneumonia and bronchitis. Sick birds experience labored breathing, weakness, and diarrhea, but will continue to take food at feeding stations until they die.

Avian Pox, a viral disease, has been reported to infect 60 species of wild birds. Symptoms of the disease are lesions that form on unfeathered parts of the body such as legs, feet, and eyelids; around the beak; and in the mouth. In some cases, death can occur when numerous sores around the eyes prevent the bird from locating food, but most birds recover from the virus. The virus is spread by direct contact with infected birds at feeders or through bites of mosquitoes that have fed on the blood of sick birds.

Preventing Spread of Diseases

at Bird Feeders in the Winter

Clean feeders monthly using one part bleach to nine parts warm water. 

Soak the feeder in the solution for a few minutes, rinse, and air dry.

(Humming bird feeders should be cleaned at least every three days.)

If uneaten food is accumulating in or under feeders, consider
using less food or switch to a seed more to the birds' liking.

If birds are fighting over space at a feeder, consider adding more feeders to alleviate the congestion that can potentially be responsible for the rapid spread of disease.

Store seed in airtight containers to prevent spoilage.

Avoid throwing large amounts of food on the ground or alternate ground feeding areas so that uneaten food does not accumulate and develop bacteria or mold.

If dead birds are found, stop feeding for a few weeks and thoroughly clean feeders and areas under feeders. Use disposable gloves when handling dead birds.

Mountain Chickadee - Hairy Woodpecker

Poecile gambeli - Picoides villosus

Neighborhood News!

I've been seeing small flocks of Mountain Chickadees in our neighborhood lately!  They live up in the higher elevations most of the year.  During winter they often migrate down to our neighborhood.  They do not migrate outside of the U.S. They eat scale insects and conifer seeds in the winter.  I love to see and hear these lovely little birds!

I also saw a Hairy Woodpecker pecking on galls on a rose bush!  Inside the galls are several larvae of gall wasps.  I watched this woodpecker for 15 minutes, as it moved from one gall to another!  It's amazing that they know there are insects inside!

Northern Flicker (female) - Colaptes auratus

All of the persimmons have been eaten!  Not one is left!!!  I don't know who ate them all but I did see this Northern Flicker eating one this week!  Unlike other woodpeckers, flickers usually feed on the ground. They eat lots of ants and insects in the spring and summer.  In the winter they feed on seeds, berries, and fruit. Usually, they leave our neighborhood for the winter, because the snow covers the ground.  Since it's mainly been raining, and not snowing, they are still here!

Gray Fox - Urocyon cinereoargenteus

I've seen our local fox every week in the same area!  
It looks like it is healthy and doing great!  They are such beautiful animals!

Western Gray Squirrel - Columbian Black-tailed Mule Deer

Sciurus griseus - Odocoileus hemionus columbianus

The Gray Squirrels are busy foraging for seeds, acorns, tree buds, and fruit. 
They also love to forage at my bird feeding station!  

I haven't seen any deer for quite some time, although I did see their tracks in the snow.  Late one afternoon this week, I spotted this buck off the road!  He watched me for a few minutes, and then trotted off.  He will shed his antlers sometime this winter, and grow new ones next summer.  

Weather Update

This week we had some sunny days, as well as days of heavy rain.  The total precipitation for the week was 4.91"!  The river has slowed to 800 cfs, compared to 1900 cfs last week.  More rain is predicted for this coming week, with a slight chance of some snow and colder temperatures.  I saw this lovely rainbow one afternoon, in between storms! 

What are these?

What's happening on the creek?

Are there any mushrooms around?

Check back next week for the answers to these questions and more!

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