This winter was a banner season for bird watching at Mothering Heights!

For the tenth year in a row, I have had at least one Carolina Wren at the feeders. I have a confession…I only feed one species of bird. The others just benefit from my obsession. When I first saw BillyBob, I was very excited. Being a “Dixie Daughter” myself, I was familiar with these wonderful little fellows, but hadn’t realized their range extended this far. Then, thanks to my field guide, I learned that my property is part of their northernmost range (I think the line actually crosses my deck). The very next sentence said that they die off during harsh winters. (Oh the horror!) That was all I needed to jump-start my one-woman campaign to save them at all costs. I stocked the SmorgasBird with everything edible for anything with feathers, and observed which foods were favored. Consequently, I think I bought every mealy worm in the tri-state area. Since I moved here in 1993, we’ve had at least 4 really bad winters, and still BillyBob and BettyJo have survived. When I see them at the feeders during the Winter months, I always do a little dance of joy (sort of a cross between a flamingo’s gait and a “robin-bobbin”…it’s not a pretty sight, but it feels good!).

In October, a young red tail hawk moved in and hasn’t left. I see her (?) almost every day, usually in the afternoon, when she returns from hunting. This area must be the raptor equivalent of an A&P Superstore. She is certainly thriving and even took one of my resident squirrels right in front of me (of course it was triple coupon day). Talk about mixed emotions!

I certainly have enough rodents of all kinds, so one less isn’t a big deal. And, I certainly understand the principle of a food chain. After all, (I’ll deny this if asked) I’ve eaten squirrel myself (tastes like chicken)! Still, some things you just don’t want to see. Anyway, the hawk is beautiful, in spite of her calling like a squealing pig, and when the North wind roils over the ridge behind the house, it is thrilling to watch her ride it.

The best sighting, though, was species #40 on my backyard bird list. Not only a first for my backyard, but for my life list as well! (And, of course, there’s a story behind it.) I woke up one February morning, and gazed up at the treetops through my bedroom skylight. There, in the distance was the unmistakable shape of a bird of prey perched on a branch. I quickly realized by its shape that it wasn’t the red tail. So, I grabbed my field guide and my binoculars, returned to the bedroom and focused in on what turned out to be a goshawk! I observed him for about 15 minutes while he alternately preened and scanned the ground for food. Then it hit me…I was living the ultimate self-indulgent retirement scenario! So, when you are up at the crack of dawn, searching the skies with Carol in Piermont, or Jim in Doodletown, think of me…

I managed to bird watch in bed!