Page 8 - Giv'er Miramichi Magazine - Christmas Issue 2022

Stayin’ Alive

Peter Gadd – Nature Miramichi

Winter Survival Strategies of
Birds in the Miramichi Region –
a very brief insight.

Bald Eagles will often
scavenge dead animals.

The winter season sees a large, to be expected, drop in winter.
the bird population in the Miramichi region and elsewhere in Berries and other decaying fruit: Bohemian Waxwings
the colder parts of the northern hemisphere… but many birds are one of the species that actually do migrate south in the
remain. Those that don’t migrate further south where it is winter but from quite far north so for many of them the
warmer and food easier to find, have adapted over many Miramichi area is “south”. They can often be seen in nomadic
millennia to survive and even thrive in our snow-covered flocks landing in fruit and other trees, often in the hundreds.
frozen winter land. Well, how do they do it? Some of their food is rotting apples still on the tree, mountain
Although many people provide food for birds in their ash, winterberries and the like. They are seldom seen at
backyard bird feeders this obviously is not the whole story. feeders but are a pleasure to watch wherever you come across
Indeed, providing food for birds, particularly the smaller them. Other birds, such as American Robins and Pine
ones, does help to improve survival rates. Black-capped Grosbeaks, can also be found foraging on fruit.
Chickadees can only store enough energy to last a day for Storing food for later use: Many birds recognize when
example. Birds have been able to survive for many years of food is more plentiful and will prepare for harsher times by
course without our helping hand. Food from bird feeders only storing seeds etc. under tree bark, perhaps in cavities in trees,
provides a small portion of daily dietary needs. in spots they think other birds and mammals might have a
Here are some of the ways that birds protect and fend for difficult time finding. Often at feeders you can see birds
themselves in the Miramichi area and elsewhere during the picking up a seed, flying off to a nearby tree, not stopping to

A female Purple Finch eating tree buds. Snow Buntings will find seeds on wind swept fields.

8 www.GiverMiramichi.com Christmas 2022