NATURAL WONDERS

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Rex Burress

“Never a Christmas morning, Never the old year ends, But someone thinks of someone, Old times, old birds, old friends.”

With the incoming and outgoing of migratory animals during the autumn and spring months, just who are those that decline to travel and retain a more permanent home? Unlike the appropriate Christmas symbol, the snow goose--a traveler though fully welcomed in California [and a bird that prefers swamps to snow], there are those resident birds that adapt to one location.

Take a walk along the river-- take a walk anywhere-- and you will see some wild animal stay-at-home, even in the harshest habitat in any season. Likewise, you will see some hardy people in any community hanging around home in the most outlandish winter weather, while other people, like winged migrant species, often flee with the bluebirds to warmer places.

In particular, during Midwest Missouri winters where I had some boyhood experiences, I was overjoyed that some bird species kept me company in icy weather that sent most summer birds sailing southward.

The regally red cardinal was/is the star of the snowy show, standing out in the somber woods like a crimson rose given wings and song--even in the depth of winter when snow blankets the woods with a cover-up until it would seem there is little for a bird to sing about. The stirring song of the male cardinal would resonate through the woodland like a ship of hope sending out a message of salvation. That was a time when I would prowl the edge of the cornfield looking for animal signs in the snow while Dad was shucking the corn. The team of horses pulled the wagon; and the rhythmical “pop, pop, pop” of the plucked ears of corn striking the backboard was like a musical contribution to the Christmas symphony of the woods.

There was always some scattered grains around a cornfield in the fall which was a boon to the resident animals, while the standing weed patches with their shattering of seeds, nourished a bunch of thick-billed, seed-eating sparrows and juncos.

Another popular winter resident bird in the Midwest was/is the noisy though handsome blue jays, just as California's scrub jays make their presence known all year long. They are successful survivalists and opportunists, ever watchful for enemies and food opportunities. Bobwhite quail of fields and fence-rows were the farmer's pride in the 1940's, as faithful to their covey as the California quail is in nearly every valley county.

There are practically no wild cardinals in California--their expansion seemingly stopped at the Rocky Mountains, or maybe they like the eastern hardwood forests and are proud of their hardy adaptations. The home-loving red-headed woodpecker did not make it over the mountains and across the deserts, either. What do I have left as a favorite resident winter species around Oroville, CA?

Flycatchers move to where insects are more available, except for the black phoebe that hangs out along the river, dashing out from a watching place to snare certain aquatic insects. The Anna hummingbirds find enough winter-blossom-nectar and sugar-water feeders to endure the cold, and the seed-eaters find plenty of weed seeds. Our official state bird, the California quail, as well as being a resident, is a valid selection for Christmas-time honors, too! What is more lovely than a snow-white goose drifting out of the sky?

Of 330 bird species listed for Butte County, CA, about a third are considered resident. There are a sufficient number of permanent animal residents to make all wildlife habitats active and interesting at any time of the year. It is the species that adapt to their environment that wins the race for survival.

Down in the ground, a micro crowd forever dwells in your presence and something is forever in the air. You are not alone...wherever your home.

“Those who dwell as nature watchers among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.” “Rachael Carson

“I should ask that nature's gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life.” --Rachael Carson