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Birder's Lament

With the river finally free the birders in their migration collect along the shore lost loves and memories as not a duck is to be seen not knowing better it would seem that spring is missing something MISSING: Hooded Mergansers Common mergansers Red-Breasted Mergansers Buffleheads Common Goldeneyes Barrow's Goldeneyes Ringneck Ducks Blue Winged Teals Northern Shovelers American Black Ducks Wood Ducks Pied Billed Grebes... Please call if seen ***

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Mick Talbot

Date: 4/11/2018 10:29:00 AM

Haven't been out much this year, not for pleasure, but always the observant one! The river, (in flood at the moment), naked. Fowl could be seeking refuge in the park lake, if I get a chance I will be checking that out soon, I hope... Mick

Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 4/11/2018 1:25:00 PM

Fingers crossed for you xo

Jack Ellison

Date: 4/11/2018 9:25:00 AM

Are you SERIOUS or just joshing us!!! Never heard of most of the... guess that's why! BUMMER!!! Lovsies, Happy Jack (but a little less so!) xxx

Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 4/11/2018 10:12:00 AM

Alas, I'm serious :( I started birding in the park with my first dog, with the river blasted open to prevent flooding I'd see a hundred Goldeneyes in migration, these days, one or two if I'm lucky. That's in less than twenty years. <3

Tim Smith

Date: 4/11/2018 6:58:00 AM

I've been throwing out seed for them and saw my first blue jay yesterday. Hopefully it's just a slow return.

Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 4/11/2018 7:33:00 AM

I wish I didn't know better. Well, that's not altogether true. Bearing witness has to mean something. Heh, to a poet at least. <3

Tom Cunningham

Date: 4/10/2018 11:09:00 PM

Such a shame to see a decline in any wildlife, man must bear some responsibility for it though. First the land now the oceans are suffering. Tom.

Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 4/11/2018 6:52:00 AM

I remember that short lived chime, the solution to pollution is dilution. And now we're hitting supersaturation. There is much shame involved with being human. xomo

Agnes Krampe

Date: 4/10/2018 7:25:00 PM

I am not a birder, just enjoy seeing the birds I come across during my hikes. I am sad your birds are missing.

Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 4/10/2018 9:34:00 PM

Thank you Agnes. What a thing to see in a lifetime. xomo

Ilene Bauer

Date: 4/10/2018 4:33:00 PM

that is so sad, maureen! i'm not a birder but i do love to see and hear birds - even the raptors. it's a shame to hear that there's been such a decline. still lots of pigeons in the city, though!

Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 4/10/2018 4:46:00 PM

I'm a hawk eyed pigeon fancier with love love love for the raptors! Some hawk and falcon species are doing well adapting to city life complements of the introduced sparrows, starlings and those lovely doves <3 (my dream would be a flock of homing pigeons and a falcon) Squab anyone? ;)

Jan Allison

Date: 4/10/2018 3:47:00 PM

absolutely heartbreaking to see the decline in the bird population, i also see fewer butterflies and bees and only one wasp last year (not that I'm complaining) hugs Jan xx

Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 4/10/2018 3:55:00 PM

Yes. And yes. I have a milkweed patch for the Monarchs and I'm lucky if I see one in a season. There used to be so so many :( <3

Vijay Pandit

Date: 4/10/2018 3:36:00 PM

A long list of missing..hope they will see you soon! Clever!!

Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 4/10/2018 3:45:00 PM

I have seen all of these on the river near my home, some in great numbers years ago. The river is devoid of ducks this year, I've been observing the decline of all migratory birds. It is heartbreaking. Thank you dear :) xomo!