BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 23, 2023
Spring is a time when I ponder imponderable things. why am I seeing so many crows feeding along the edge of the highway right now? Here’s my best guess. That’s where the food is. When I walk out to the bird feeder, the chickadees, nuthatches, titmice and woodpeckers barely show any concern. But the blue jays and mourning doves skedaddle for cover instantly. Why? The smaller birds are more maneuverable, able to dodge an attack before reaching cover. I think I see the same behavior in squirrels. Gray squirrels are quick to run to the nearest tree when I enter the yard. Red squirrels dawdle until I get close. Chipmunks barely care. I look at wildlife as if animals are part of my world, often forgetting that I am part of theirs. We’re all wandering around the landscape together. This spring, don’t just watch nature. Be part of it. ~ Bob Duchesne