We had a surprising number of robins (Turdus migratorius) in the yard last week when our temperatures dropped to 12 degrees. The bird bath, with a heater that keeps the water from freezing, became a very popular spot.
Month: January 2013
Icy backyard art
We had just enough ice last week to give the backyard a very different look, and it was fun to get out and look around. The wire fence around the compost pile was strung with crystal beads that struck me as somewhat ‘arty’.
Lacewings in January
I was quite surprised to see three green lacewings (family Chrysopidae) one night recently in the kitchen window. These small nocturnal insects are one of my favorites and we often see them in the backyard during the summer. However, I’ve never seen them in January before.
After doing some research, I’ve learned that lacewing adults can survive the winter in protected places. The temperature was 70 degrees when I saw them – unseasonably warm for this time of year. Now our temperatures are more typical for January, with highs in the mid 30’s and lows in the mid 20’s. I’d like to think the lacewings have found a protected place for the winter and will be back at the window this spring.
Red-breasted nuthatches
We enjoy our backyard birds year round. This is especially true in the winter when there’s not a lot else going on. Since late November we’ve been enjoying a pair of red-breasted nuthatches (Sitta canadensis), the first time I remember seeing these birds.
