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January 10, 1980 - Windy Snowy DaysSECOND SECTION January 10, 1980 W INDY, SNOWY DAYS focus on nature by Paul Stoutenburgh We all knew the real winter would soon be here with its cold weather, winds and snow. The beautiful clear mild weather of Novem- ber and December was just too good to last and when snow was predicted for Saturday we almost welcomed it. So it was when the gray light of dawn came creeping through our woods. Our world had changed over- night to a fairyland of white and black. Back in the warm bed my mind reviewed the changes this would make in my day. Our scheduled waterfowl trip to Montauk would have to be postponed 'til next week. And in its place a day at home with the wood fire and a pot of soup simmering for lunch on top. Perhaps it would be a day of just watching and enjoying the winter snow- storm. At our place we can tell the intensity of the snow by looking across the fields in back. If you can see the woods a half mile away the snow is light and there's not much to be concerned about, but when you can't see the woods at all, then you're probably in for a good snow. And when you can't see the back 91 pasture fence, get ready for the big one! Most of us have our own ways of judging nature's many phenomena. What made Saturday's storm a fierce one was not the snow, for it was light, but it was that northeast wind that ripped off the Sound and seemed to enter every crack and crevice of our house. It seemed the wood stove almost groaned to keep the place warm. Small Birds Brave Snowstorm Across the open fields the snow raced until it found a blade of grass, a tuft of weed or my hedgerow to hide behind. In some spots where there were none of these, the ground was bare. Through the haze of windblown snow I'd occasionally see small flocks of birds moving about on the open ground. Like weather vanes they all worked into the wind. How could they eke out a living in that wind -swept region? Was it possible they could find seeds of last year's summer in those hostile, bleak fields? Yes, that was their livelihood -- seeds. And when we think of the whole picture that's involved in the natural world we start to realize that JANUARY 10, 1980 NORTHERN HORNED LARK -- Flocks of these hardy northern visitors can usually be seen scavenging weed seeds on the open ground left by the windblown snow. Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh even the weeds of summer have their place in the scheme of things. These small birds are called horned larks and are a hardy breed that nest mostly north Two Great Names to fill your' Fuel -Oil &Service Needs. R.A. McCALLUM 415 East Main Street Riverhead 727 -4336 BURT'S RELIABLE 429 Fourth Street, Greenport 477 -0057 We are proud to offer to our customers and friends assured fuel oil supply. 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No obligation. of the St. Lawrence River. Cold and wind are nothing new to them. There is another sub - species that nests in our area in the very early spring called the prairie horned lark, but generally speaking the horned larks that we see during the winter are the birds from the north migrating down here. To many winter is a dreary time, but to those who can make the best of it it's a time of rare beauty and enjoyment. All these larks have small tufts of feathers on their heads that at times give the appearance of horns. Of course, they are not, but like the tufts of feathers on some of our owls they seem to give the illusion of horns. For what reason we can only speculate. Whatever it is, they do enhance the bird's appearance. Special Claws Grip Ice I photographed these rugged little birds years ago in an open potato field in Peconic. The land had been snow- covered for weeks, as the temperature was well below freezing. If you've ever tried to work without gloves in cold weather, you'll have some idea of the problems a photographer takes on under these conditions. Yet like so many things, it's a challenge. These tiny, sparrow -size birds have spec- ially- designed claws for holding on to the frozen ground or the ice underfoot. I can remember how the wind buffeted them as they went about, busily picking up what seemed to be the invisible. Their thin, bright yellow faces and fronts could only be seen through my long telephoto lens and it did much to warm my feeling for these hardy northern ground feeders. Often, when the snow has completely covered the ground and there are no open bare spots for feeding, these birds will congregate along our road edges where the snowplow has dug down to the bare earth in spots. Often you'll see them flying up in front of you as you drive along. Even at night they'll startle you as they remain at the road edge when all else is covered. About the only other winter bird you'll see in flocks in our open fields is the snow bird, more commonly called the snow bunting. These birds inhabit the same open wind- blown areas. The best way to tell the snow bunting from the horned lark is by the flashing white and black of the wings of the snow bunting. Once seen turning as a group in the sky you'll never forget, for the whole sky seeihs to flash with white. To many winter is a dreary time, but to those who can make the best of it in one way or another -- it's a time of rare beauty and enjoyment.