If you have a bird feeder, you may have noticed fewer feathered friends paying a visit.
Bird lovers are taking to Facebook to remark on the fact that they’re not seeing the same number of birds at their feeders this winter.
That’s a good thing according to Jared Clarke of Bird the Rock.
He says there was an abundant cone crop this year, meaning birds have more food and are staying in the woods instead of seeking out food at backyard feeders.
“It’s actually been a good winter for birds, I keep track for the province of the number of birds that are spotted during the official winter season, which is December, January and February” says Clarke, “and we actually had the second highest tally on record. There were 155 species of birds recorded across…just the island of Newfoundland.”
However, Clarke says, the recent snowfall on the Avalon may bring birds back to feeders—including some less common visitors.
“So if you have a backyard feeder, expect to see a little more activity” according to Clarke who advises birders to keep their eyes open for other species, including owls. “When we get deep snow like this…sometimes it drives the local owls out of the forest and into local backyards.”
Species to watch out for include the saw-whet owl and the boreal owl.