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Over the next few days, I found increasing numbers, goldfinches, juncos, white-throated sparrows. Dead birds are a part of the life of a birder, a feeder of birds, and of bird science. I was shocked when I found the first body, a female Towhee. I hoped it was an anomaly. Were they always there and I just never noticed?
In science speak, this is named the optimal body mass hypothesis. Eurasian Tree Sparrows frequently find themselves out in the wild without a glass to drink from. The Finch Research Network calls it a high mountain specialist, which seems a bit weird given that my photo was taken exactly at sea level.
The experience is one of the ornithological highlights in the world. The thousands of hours of observations that have been added up over the years would not have been possible without the help of the many volunteers and assistants who have offered their time and energy in the cause of science and conservation.
Phenology is a vital science. Cultures that experience it generally put a holiday of some sort at the end to motivate people to even bother living through it. Black-capped Chickadees , Song Sparrows , and Dark-eyed Juncos start testing their breeding songs as well, though they have a longer wait before things get serious.
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