BIRDWALK NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 BIRDWALK NEWSLETTER Walks conducted by Perry nugent and Ray Swagerty Newsletter Written by Jayne J. Matney Cover Photo by Anita Leonard It is time to roll into the New Year! Magnolia Plantation and Gardens will be heading into the New Year with enthusiasm! For many, the New Year represents the passing of the last year and the beginning of a new one and therefore, should be celebrated. In the highest of standards, it is considered a rebirth. In the least of its standards, it is simply the beginning of a new calendar year. There are many people that carry superstitions with them at this transitional time. For examples, the tradition of making lots of noise at midnight stems from scaring away evil spirits. The first kiss of the year brings love and romance to the year.hopefully not the only love and romance you will see during the year! Anyway, birds tend to carry their own myths and superstitions through folklore, storytelling, literature, legends, and traditions. While doing the research, many of these superstitions were repeated multiple times. Some may surprise you. Sometimes, it has to do with the type of bird, but other times the superstitions are dictated by the number of them, when they appear, or the color of them! For example, a crow s type of luck depends on how many are seen. According to the Superstition Library and Audubon California, the crow generally represents wisdom or intelligence. However, seeing one crow or two crows is considered lucky, seeing three is for health, four for wealth, five is sickness, and six is death. In ancient Greece, it was thought that if a crow

2 appeared at a wedding breakfast, divorce was imminent. In other countries, newlyweds receiving a gift with bird designs upon it means that happiness will fly away. However, in Japan, the images of a crane is often stitched or placed inside the wedding kimonos for a blessed marriage. Death of a caged bird on a wedding day is Is three okay?! Photo by Guenter Weber obviously not a good sign either. The Superstition Library goes on to state that if a crow s nest is destroyed, fire in the area within 3 days is imminent. If a crow lands on your house, it depends upon how the crow calls out to determine if it is a warning for calamity or good luck. So pay attention to the caws and carrows! If you live in Japan, a crow coming to visit is actually a deceased love one full of intelligence and mischief. If you live in England, people of that culture may believe that a raven impersonates the Devil or speaks of death. An owl seen in the day time is considered bad luck, while a kingfisher represents good luck, and if a bird poops on your head, this is also good luck. I think I would rather It s your lucky day! A kingfisher! Photo by Norma Armstrong accumulate good luck some other way. At least in England, the bird only needs to poop on your car to give you the luck you deserve! It is also considered good luck if a black bird builds a nest on your house. According to myths, bad luck will follow if you kill a swallow or a robin. But you may dodge this bad luck if the bird gets a proper burial. It is bad luck if you tip your hat to a magpie. Good thing I rarely wear hats and rarely see magpies. I wonder in this day and time that includes a baseball cap. If a swan lays its head in a relaxed posture along its back, this means a storm is coming. If you are a sailor who kills an albatross, you will be lost at sea. Location can have an influence on your bird sighting luck. Seeing a

3 wren while swimming is obviously a good sign. You will not be drowning that day. A bird entering your house is there to give you an important message if you choose to listen, but if the bird dies in your house or happens to be white, this is a sign of death. If a hummingbird visits you and hovers nearby, this means you are to achieve the nearly impossible task. As indicated earlier, geography can also influence the signs. A rooster in England, for example, is a bad omen due to the writings of the crucifixion when the rooster crowed in joy. In Norway, the rooster is used to discover a drowned body. The searching team puts roosters into each boat and it is supposed to crow when they are near the body. The magical land of Ireland associates sparrows, and plovers as friends of the fairies. Also in Ireland, if a blackbird is singing sweetly, this means the birds are holding souls of purgatory and will release them on judgement day. If they sing with loud shrills, this means they are calling for rain for those parched souls of purgatory. Rain will soon come. Sweden stakes claim that the turtle dove is sacred and this bird represents Godliness, and peace. In France, the wheat crops were thought to have been priced according to the number of calls by the quail. Some cultures, including many Americans, believe possession of a peacock feather inside your home is bad luck. Americans, in addition to many countries, leave water for birds for baths and drinking. This practice may not only be for their health or to attract them. Areas in Turkey put out water basins on graves as it is thought that birds send messages from the living to the deceased and leaving them water will put them in a favorable light to their loved ones. Scotland always has interesting traditions and superstitions. There, if you come across a dead bird, you should spit upon it or you may be fed this bird for dinner. The aborigines of Australia chase away black and white birds in fear their conversations will be overheard and given to their enemies. A spy? Photo by Cathy Padgett

4 Colors are significant to those believing in bird superstitions. A singing cardinal lifts your sorrow away. But did you also know that the color red of a bird, such as a cardinal, means that help is on the way? If you see it in winter, spring will be prosperous for you. White birds, except for the one that may fly into your house, represent answered prayers. Blue birds in the morning means a happy day follows. If they actually nest outside your door, this means good luck for you and yours. But, if they don t come back the following year, not a good sign. If a yellow bird flies by in sight, you will keep or gain your freedom, but if it is caged, you may lose your freedoms. A red cardinal! Photo by Guenter Weber According to another superstition, if a feather falls in front of you when no birds seem to be present, the feather is a gift from your guardian angel. Information gathered for this article came from: Ogden, Daniela, Audubon California; Even though the New Year reminds us of traditions and superstitions, New Year also represents winter time for those in our hemisphere. It is a great time to see birds which have migrated into our area from up north. Hence, the plantation is teaming with transient bird species, as well as the residences. Chris Smith investigated the varieties on the property on this cold, breezy day. There were 35 species counted. As expected, the duck population is doing well (Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, and American Wigeon), and the American Coot numbered over 200. A Hooded Merganser pair were spotted at the schoolhouse pond. Other water birds were Pied-billed Grebe, Doublecrested Cormorant, Anhinga, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Little

5 Blue Heron, Tri-color Heron, White Ibis, Wood Stork, and Common Moorhen. A dozen Ringed-billed Gull were seen as well. The Bald Eagle was at its usual early morning spot overlooking the boat dock and large impoundment. Black Vulture were seen soaring overhead. Red-bellied Woodpecker and Northern Flicker were sighted. A wonderful surprise was the Eastern Towhee seen near the maintenance barn. Other species seen were: Eastern Phoebe, White-eyed Vireo, American Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Rubycrowned Kinglet, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Yellow-rumped Warber, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, and Common Grackle. Quick note: Even though the Pileated Woodpecker was not counted on this morning s exploration, several sightings were shared of this species during the week. Also, a Nashville Warbler was identified near the Indian mound area on December 26th. They are usually not seen here, but our property is on the edge of their migratory route. This gives us occasional sightings, but it is not a usual event.