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December 05, 1991 - The Secret Life of Birds at Night6A - The Suffolk Times - December 5, 1991 The Secret Life of Birds at Night By Paul Stoutenburgh One of the joys of living in the coun- try comes at meal time when we sit at our picture window and look out across our back pasture and the farmlands be- yond. This evening, like almost every other, we watched the gulls heading Focus on south out into the bay to spend the Nature night. It's here they roost, away from predators and in the lee of the shore. One of the most repeated questions from my readers is, "Where do the seagulls go at night ?" Most see them as evening approaches, heading in the same general direction and in the morning the reverse. Where do they come from and where do they go? Our landfill is a mere two miles away so I can speak for the gulls I see out over our fields. They come from the landfill, where it is a bit easier picking than scouring the beaches during the winter months. Gulls congregate like many other birds in the evening to rest and sleep but instead of in trees they rest on the sheltered waters that lie around us. This flocking together is common with many birds but not all. Typical of this mass roosting are those crow roosts still found throughout our island. The one I remember was so popular that it actually became their downfall. In those days, when shotgun shells were cheap and there were more hunters than now, crow Nuvuung uutstue a roost was consiaerea quite a sport. On late afternoons in the winter when the wind would blow out of the northwest, the crows would come into the roost, low over the fields. All the hunter had to do was to conceal himself somewhere along the line of flight. Because of changing habits and a more enlightened attitude, this crow shooting has tapered off with only a few pursuing it. Hundreds or Thousands Some crow roosts like many other roosts play host to as few as a hundred or so birds and yet others to a multitude of thousands. It was quite a spectacle on calm days to watch the crows come in, flying high and then zigzagging in a crazy spiral down toward the roosting area. Then many would land in the fields nearby for a short period seemingly to talk over the day's activities. Then slowly, ones and twos would fly up into the trees where they'd spend the night. It's believed that birds roost in great Sleepwear for SupplutM J Children's Clothing and Accessories 119 MAIN STREET - GREENPORT - 477 -2718 AMEX - MC - VISA - UPS - LAYAWAY numbers together for the protection it offers. Owls are one of the biggest predators at night and are confused when faced with such large numbers, particu- larly if they are aroused and in the air. It's much easier to pick out an individual bird when he sits alone than to pick one out in a milling crowd. Grackles, those large iridescent bluish - black birds with long tails, also congregate in large flocks. We see them in the fall when they pass through our woods throwing leaves to the air and searching for food. They talk amongst themselves and rise with a great com- motion when surprised. But the group I remember most vividly in this "black bird" population is the common starling. They notoriously travel in flocks and where food is plentiful they really congregate by the thousands. I'll never forget seeing a huge concentration along our south shore. I witnessed early one morning literally thousands on thousands of birds rising out of the phragmites where they had rested during the night. The phrag- mites patch was on one of those sand is- lands in the bay, which made it a perfect, predator -free place to roost. They got up in such numbers that from a distance it appeared as if the island had caught fire and smoke was swirling up from below. Only when I looked through my glasses could I see the individual birds that made up the dark, moving mass. Eat Early, Then Rest Rirdo are moot activo during the first hours after sunrise for their empty stomachs call to be fed. Once this urge is satisfied they settle down to a more leisurely day, resting and sometimes napping until the sun starts to set when they become more active and head for their favorite roost. Small birds that are cavity nesters, such as the chickadee, nuthatch, wood- peckers, etc., all hole up for the night. Sparrows and finches and their like will seek out niches in buildings, old bird- houses or even the vines that grow about buildings or trees. In some areas in populated villages this habit of selecting buildings has caused much havoc and Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh BLACK - CROWNED NIGHT HERON — Contrary to most birds this black - crowned night heron sleeps during the daytime and stalks for minnows and other small fish in the shallows at night. expense to the community in trying to discourage their roosting habits. Bright lights, revolving mirrors and screening have all been tried. Most have failed with the exception of the mesh wire which becomes costly, ugly to look at and difficult to install. Those birds who don't sleep at night are hunting. Most notable are the owls and herons who sleep during the day. The owl sleeps upright, mostly unno- ticed in a tree, while the herons do like- wise but are more visible because of their noncamouflaged outfits. Most use the same roosting spot night after night. This using the same spot was brought home to my attention most vividly one ■ wslpw i ..wiL �.....t� 79 Years Ago Dec. 7, 1912 Fishermen Afraid: The fishermen have another hard fight on their hands. This time they have to fight the Long Island Sportsmen's Association, a company of wealthy men who have already taken action to secure legislation that will prohibit the use of all pounds, nets and seine in the waters of the state. In brief, this would stop fishing as a business on Long Island. It would take away the livelihood of thou- sands of fishermen. David Tuthill of Greenport, Frank Tuthill of East Marion and Charles Vail of Orient had an appointment with the Conservation Commission in Albany on Thursday. They also stopped to see President Ralph Peters of the Long Island Rail Road, who is said to be one of the vice- presi- dents of the Sportsmen's Association. A Parlor for Dogs: Mary Winthrop Turner of Never - Never -Land Farm, Shelter Island, has a scheme for a dog parlor along Fifth Avenue, New York, that will exceed in splendor anything of its kind. The parlors are quite.the thing in London and gay Paris, but will be something new for lit- tle old New York. 50 Years Ago Dec. 11, 1941 United States at War with Axis: Over the radio year when I was on Gardiners Island and found the roosting spots for some of its wild turkeys. Under their roosting limb was a pile of droppings accumulated through time that would have filled a half - bushel basket. So, as winter approaches and the evening skies take over with their harsh northwest winds howling in the treetops, take a moment to think about our feathered friends as they roost. With their heads bent back over their shoulders they will sleep with their bills nestled down in their feathers, snug in their own particular way — some alone, some in sheltered cavities and others among hundreds and even thousands of their kind. this morning word was received that the war has officially and definitely spread to the Atlantic. Now both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts are open to attack from enemy planes. With Italy and Germany now officially lining up with their ally, Japan, the United States faces the entire Axis nations for its fight to preserve for us and for our children the democratic way of life. . No Change in Subscription Rates: Anticipat- ing the rise in the price of paper and other expenses, The Suffolk Times made sufficient purchases of stock which will enable us to continue at our present subscription rate of $2.00 per year. 25 Years Ago Dec. 2, 1966 SHS Tutors Underprivileged: The Southold High School Honor Society has embarked on a program which has been steadily gaining interest in this area: aiding underprivileged children. In September five students visited the Cutchogue labor camp. During a briefing with VISTA workers, the group was informed of the difficulty with which many of the camp's children adjusted to school and the need for more personal contact with teachers. Because of this, the Honor Society members decided to tutor five of the children on a one -to -one basis twice a week.