POOR YEAR FOR BIRDS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 15, 11 February 1942, Page 2

POOR YEAR FOR BIRDS

NESTLINGS AFFECTED BY SEASON ! WET AND COLD CONDITIONS The present summer Ims token a heavy toll of yminsi birds, and, unless late hatched broods (ill the vacancies, there will be no increase of bird population to record for 1911-12. Bird-lovers have also noticed reeently the unusual hunger of small birds, this it is thought being the result of the Avet and cold summer ■.•onditions. One source of food, the cicada, has not made its appearance, while moths, insects and grubs are in .short supply. And the lack of warm sunshine has delayed the ripening of seeds. IleaA'y mortality among birds -was caused by many hard frosts in the late spring and there Avere several nests found in Avhieh not a single egg had hatehed. This was most noticeable in the nests of sparrows, and those, kindly persons who have formed the habit of providing meals of scraps of bread for these small scavengers have noticed that there are fewer but hungrier patrons of their generosity than in former seasons. A comment was made by a birdloA'er a few seasons ago that chaffinches and'goldfinches Avere increasing, but these also seem to have diminished this season. Thus there is a noticeable absence of -small birdsBlackbirds Decrease Of the larger birds there are about the same number of thrushes and rather more minahs than usual, but there is a remarkable decrease in the numbers of blackbirds. Usually about this time of the summer, these nre busy Avith their second brood and are getting ready to migrate to the heart of the bush where insect life is more plentiful. Whether the young blackbirds haA r e been kept, down in numbers by the same influences as have affected the sparrows cannot be stated Avith certainty, but it is certain that the birds JiaA'e left: the gardens. There must be a reason for this, and it may not be lack of the kind of food that appeals toi the blackbirds. The continued rain has kept the Avorms close to the top of tiie ground. Of equal interest and perhaps a related question is Avhy are native fruits and berries falling off the trees this season? It is noit an isolated happening, caused by a weakening of the particular tree 01- shrub, but a general shedding of unripe berries and fruits. Most noticeable, perhaps because of their size, are the karaka fruits, those glossy green berries which are streAvn all over the ground although only developed to half their normal size. These tAvo problems, whether they are linked or not, are Avorthy of study as their solution may give valuable data of use to naturalists and botanists. There may also be natural facts behind them Avhieh Avill add to our knowledge of the land we live in.