Feb. 20th I asked a series of questions: "Why do squirrels "bark" and flick their tails? Why is that mockingbird chasing a crow? Why do woodpeckers drum on metal gutters in early spring? Why do birds sitting on a beach all face the same direction? Why do mockingbirds sing at night? Why do squirrels and birds wallow in sand?"
Priscilla Baird called and pointed out many readers would like to hear answers. In writing this column for over 19 years, I've covered all these behaviors, but then new readers drop in and I need reminding that repetition is sometimes needed. Thanks Priscilla.
I'll eventually answer the above questions between other subjects crowding in -- nature never leaves me without a topic. As to wildlife behavior, watching wildlife can lead to understanding behaviors we too often label as dumb, crazy, or incomprehensible. For example: Why do birds sitting on a beach all face the same direction? It's a survival tactic. No matter how many gulls, terns, pelicans, shore birds are gathered on a beach, they'll all face into the wind.
If anything disturbs a flock of birds facing into the wind, all they have to do is open their wings and the wind lifts them effortlessly off the sand. Birds have more control over their movements if they lift off into the wind. Going with the wind, especially a strong wind, control is more difficult. Besides, if they rest with tails to the wind, tails and feathers get twisted in all directions, a very uncomfortable and unflight-ready condition.
Watch hawks and vultures, masters of using the wind. Watch pelicans flying in their familiar V formations over a beach. Control is much easier flying into the wind. If you see a group flying with a strong wind, notice constant wing and tail adjustments to avoid losing control and getting blown into telephone wires, buildings, trees. Of course, flying against strong winds slows progress for long distance journeys and you'll see sudden changes in direction on windy days. If headwinds become too strong, a flight of pelicans will change direction for a while to ease into more favorable air currents. Birds are masters of floating, soaring, and surfing air currents.
Today, Wildlife Discoveries program, 9:30-11:30 a.m., at the St. Johns County Amphitheatre at the east end of the Farmer's Market. Bring chairs. Gail Compton, Sharon Augustinos, guides.