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Patti Muzny, newsletter editor

Patti's Chirpings

It was an interesting day in December and after a few days' reprieve from rain, the gray clouds have moved in once more and were ambitiously spilling large, persistent raindrops in south Oklahoma City.  While trying to engage what's left of my contrary brain into even a mediocre creative state, I was constantly being distracted by the falling rain.  I really didn't want to take my daily walk anyway!

From my home office window I saw the bright red clusters of berries draped across the nandina bush.  Just beyond the seasonal reds and greens, our sweet gum tree is struggling in vain against the assault of the relentless rain, to retain its beautiful yellow, gold and green leaves.  The heavy rain  quickly removed perhaps a third of the fragile leaves, but for a few minutes, I witnessed, with a little melancholy, the demise of fall color in our yard.  

A pesky squirrel was surprised while burying yet another morsel in my flowerbeds.  In a few short months, more sprouting pin oaks will attempt to gain a permanent home in those beds. 

When the rain stopped, I was distracted again by a flock of ten Mourning Doves that were strolling around the cul-de-sac and pecking at the street.  If humans could figure out how to eat rocks and survive, we might be pretty tough hombres!  

Early in the morning, a Carolina Wren was serenading around the front porch.  Our Mourning Doves are still staying around the pin oak and sweet gum trees, where they raised several broods this summer.  Blue Jays are scolding anything that suits their fancy. The back yard continues to be much too inviting to the hordes of English Sparrows and pigeons that are determined to scarf down any type of seed offering.  

We are trying an owl decoy to deter the pigeons.  For a few hours, I think it may have worked, but it didn't take long for the pesky pigeons to return.  The sparrows were not the least bit intimidated by the  plastic predator. Oh, well.  

After a little over a year, our enlarged Byars Backyard pond has finally filled.  It hasn't managed to make it over the spillway yet, but it's close!  We are hoping the larger pond will attract some interesting birds in time. The kingfisher seems to be enjoying the lager body of water and visits regularly.  The human inhabitants certainly are enjoying the sparkle of winter sun upon the water.

Our Byars Goldfinches finally returned in late November.  Now that the colder weather has arrived, many more juncos and goldfinches are utilizing the feeder.  We have seen juncos of every coloration B from the beautiful dark charcoal and white ones to the striking Oregon race. The Hermit Thrushes and Fox Sparrows are back and the local Roadrunner is still hanging around.   

President Nealand Hill reports that all of the OKC Audubon Society's officers have agreed to serve another year.  We will also retain all of the committee chairpersons, with the exception of the position of Recorder.  Nathan Kuhnert has resigned this position and Dora Webb has agreed to be our next Recorder. Please remember to report interesting bird sightings to Dora Webb at  owl112@cox.net .  

We have learned that the husband of longtime Kenton birder, Esther Keyes, has recently passed away.  Birders who have visited Esther's home to view the many birds that find refuge there might want to express their condolences to Esther.  

For anyone needing information about owls, you might try this website:  http://www.owlpages.com/species/owl_names_ab.html