"They Didn't Even Say Good-bye!"

I must admit I knew it was coming. Like most events that we dread, it always comes as a surprise.  At least we tell ourselves that it is unexpected.  Yes, the skies are a little bit lonelier this week over our home on Byerly Mill. I returned home from Cincinnati to find that my turkey vultures had left for parts unknown to me, but undoubtedly somewhere farther south and much warmer.

 I watched each evening last week as the roosting birds grew in numbers. It seems that our little spot on the Little Darby is a staging area where the vultures congregate before leaving on their winter migration. They lined the banks drinking and bathing in the shallows of the creek then flapping those enormous wings to gain lift to get to a higher perch for the night. Many were juveniles, hatchlings from this past summer, easily identified by their black instead of red heads.  At one count last year I counted over 70 buzzards high in the sycamores lining our little creek. There appeared to be an electric excitement among the gathering.  Perhaps they recognized a bird they hadn't seen since last winter. Perhaps not!

I truly love turkey vultures. I know, they don't sing, they only hiss occasionally if they get upset.  They defecate down their legs to keep cool and the youngsters will projectile-regurgitate if they feel threatened.  They also have no feathers on their heads giving them a ghoulish appearance.  However, if you stuck your head in some of the places they do, you probably wouldn't want feathers or hair either.  But to watch a vulture in the air is nothing short of breath-taking.  They are masters of the upper atmosphere and can ride the smallest of thermal updrafts for hours.  Did you know that the Wright Brothers modeled their first gliders after the vultures that flew over their Dayton bicycle shop?  Yes, as ugly as they appear to be, they are indeed remarkable.  Just remember that the next time you get on an airplane.  You can thank a turkey vulture!

Buzzards begin their day the same as always. Flying to a perch in the sun, spreading those 6 foot wing spans to catch the UV rays of sunlight to keep bacteria and parasites from growing in their feathers.  Much like our fellow coffee drinkers, when they've had their fill of sun or coffee they head out to work and begin the day.  A few test circles around their roost as they gain altitude and then they are off in search of sustenance in the form of carrion.  In other words, dead animals.  Most coming from  humans in the form of road kill.  And then one evening, in early November, without any prior warning, they don't return.

I can pretty much set my calendar by their return, March 10, (the Hinkley buzzards return March 15th).  Fall departure is not as timely, although I have noticed they always stay for Halloween.  Sometime within the first two weeks of November they make the final decision.  I wonder if it is weather dependent, if they are waiting for favorable thermals or if they wait for a southerly wind to help them on their way.  What ever triggers the massive evacuation, it happens so completely that I am saddened each year by the vacuum they leave behind and the realization that they are gone until next spring.  My barn swallows do the same thing each year.  At the end of August they will be here one day and gone the next.  The barn no longer full of their constant chirping and the dog is no longer in danger of being dive bombed by an over zealous parent.

One of 20 some swallow nests that adorn our barn rafters. Swallow nests are considered good luck. (especially if you have a lot of mosquitoes where you live!)

If I remember correctly, these were 2 fledglings, fresh out of the nest. They were sitting next to the big door, trying to decide if they were ready to see the big, big world out there.

The adults are beautiful and can consume 60 insects an hour or a whopping 850 per day. That's a lot of mosquitoes!  These amazing birds fly with their mouths open and catch insects right out of the air.  They love to follow us when we mow.

I often think of the native Americans and the pioneers as they busily prepared for winter.  Did the fall migration bring a feeling of dread?  Were they wondering if they were adequately prepared?  Did they have a feeling of abandonment as the days became shorter, the mornings cooler and the birds and animals began to disappear?  There is a lot to be said for those of us that decide to stay and face winter head on.  Crazy comes to mind but for today I will take the part of the optimist and look forward to the return of my winter visitors from Canada.  The red-breasted nuthatch, juncos and the white-throated sparrow.  I heard the white-throat this morning as he sang his "O dear Canada, Canada, Canada" song.  Bring it on Winter, I'm ready!!

The Dark-eyed Junco once called the Slate-backed Junco. These birds start appearing late August and will stay until late April.  Often seen at feeders and are commonly referred to as Snow Birds, as that is when we see them.  They breed and nest in Canada.

These are the "usual suspects" birds that stay here year round.  The Northern Cardinal and the American Goldfinch.

Another year round resident is the Carolina Wren. A little bird with a big attitude!

One of my favorite winter birds, the White-throated Sparrow. 

The White-breasted Nuthatch is a year-round resident

but his cousin, the Red-breasted Nuthatch migrates here only during winter.  Some winters I won't see any but last year was a good year and I had 2 that stayed.

PS I added a link in my first paragraph.  If you would like to read more about the fabulous turkey vulture, just click on turkey vulture.  It should take you to the Audubon website.  I am evolving!!