Day 283: October 9th – Sparrows at Benedict

A mix of sun and clouds with a chill in the air

       Every day seems more and more autumnal as the hours of daylight fade and the accompanying cool temperatures make their presence known.  With the change in weather, we await the changing cast of characters in our avian production.  Winter will bring a new group of birds such as juncos, siskins, and White-throated sparrows.  Today, as the changing hues of the season portend these changes, we head over to Benedict Farm in Montgomery, NY to see if any of the changing of the guard has begun to take place over there.

Song sparrow

       For the most part, we see the sparrows we’ve found at Benedict for most of the spring and summer.  Many have undergone a recent molt, however and appear “fresh” with subdued and yet “cleaner” plumages. 

Savannah sparrow

       The young birds may not yet look quite like their adult conterparts.  Take these juvenile House finches, for example.  Their plain gray lightly striped appearance will help them blend in with their surroundings, a definite plus as the leaves begin to fall and will offer little in the way of cover in the next month or so.

       Our only “winter bird” today is a “first of the season” White-throated sparrow.  Soon, these will be regulars at our home feeding stations.  It’s so nice and almost rejuvenating to see our winter guests begin to arrive. 

       I’ll begin to refill all of our feeders in the hopes of attracting some of these birds to our yard.  With plenty of food to go around in summer, I generally keep only one or two feeders filled, more for my own enjoyment than for the welfare of our feathered friends.  In winter, once the snow falls and the naturally seed supply becomes more scarce, the birds will welcome the additional supplies.  For now, however, as in summer, the extra feed with sate my “hunger” more than theirs.