Ask any backyard birdfeeder operator in Newfoundland what kind of bird they would most like to see at their bird feeder. Give them a minute to think about it. Nine times out of 10 they will say a cardinal.
Its full name is the northern cardinal. The northern cardinal is an iconic backyard bird in much of eastern North America.
It is common throughout the eastern United States and gets into southern Canada in Ontario and Quebec. In recent decades it spread into New Brunswick and Nova Scotia where it has become locally common in the larger communities.
It is very much an urban bird. It likes the thick hedges and ornamental shrubbery found in residential areas. And most importantly cardinals have taken to bird feeders. They love the sunflower seed.
They are a feeder friendly bird yet the cardinal is actually quite shy, readily flying into thick cover with any kind of loud noise or perceived threat.
The $64,000-question: are there cardinals in Newfoundland?
The answer is yes — with an explanation. A very few cardinals have, indeed, showm up at Newfoundland bird feeders over the years. Photographs prove their existence is more than mythical whimsy. It is very rare and the visits are often a short day or two.
The northern cardinal is common with it normal range. It is mostly resident which in birding lingo means it does not migrate. It stays put in the same general area all year long.
However, every year in late autumn a small number of cardinals disperse northward. Perhaps this is a mechanism within the species that helps it spread to new areas. Something big happened in the fall of 2020.
Something good for Newfoundland birdfeeder watchers.
There has been an unprecedented late fall influx of cardinals to the north including the island of Newfoundland.
At the time of this writing in mid-December a total of 12 northern cardinals have been reported on the island.
The list of locations reporting a cardinal working across the province from west to east is this: Port aux Basques, Cape St. George, the Gravels near Kippens, Stephenville, Corner Brook, Ramea Island, Summerford, Ritter’s Arm, Eastport, Conne River, Little St. Lawrence and St. John’s.
Most of these birds were seen at bird feeders. Some stayed for a while, some are still present and some departed.
As we come into the Christmas season with colder temperatures and more snow on the ground some of those undiscovered cardinals out in the wilds are going to be seeking out a bird feeder. There is no telling whose bird feeder will be next. It could happen to anyone. Even me! Hah!
I think of all those other bird feeders out there around the province that are more likely to entertain a cardinal but it could be any one of us.
Fingers crossed. It should be noted that of the 12 cardinals recorded so far in Newfoundland this fall, only three were the classic bright red males. The other nine were the slightly less colourful but still attractive females.
This is why I am picturing a female cardinal with this column.
Christmas bird count season
Christmas bird counts are held at thousands of locations across North America during the Christmas holiday season.
The St. John’s Christmas Bird Count will be held as tradition dictates on Dec. 26. If you live within the St. John’s count circle area you may contribute to the bird count. The standard Christmas bird count area is a 12-kilometre radius of a fixed point. The same Christmas count circle is used year after year.
The St. John’s Christmas bird count is centered on the Confederation Building with the outer boundaries of the circle being the ferry dock in Portugal Cove, Torbay, Maddox Cove, some of Kilbride and Mount Pearl.
If you live within the boundaries of the circle count all the birds you see coming to your feeder on Dec. 26 or any birds you see on a walk around town can be added to the total count. Compile a list of the birds that you see with a rough guesstimate of numbers. At the end of the day, or the next day, please email your bird list to me at the address at the bottom of this column.
Please include your name and the address, or at least the general area in which you counted birds. Your birds will be welcomed additions the grand total.
Looking for last minute gifts for the holiday season?
Try a starter bird feeder and bag of bird seed. It could enlighten someone’s winter. For someone who is already into feeding the birds, a bag of bird seed goes a long way.
Have a great Christmas everyone.
Bruce Mactavish is an environmental consultant and avid birdwatcher. He can be reached at [email protected].
