I remember from years ago hearing or reading chickadees described as "cheery little chubby chaps."
This characterization is good because even when the weather is cold and dreary, a band of chickadees will come along to bring us a kind of warmth - it's just a good feeling to be with them. They are smart-looking birds whose sophisticated voice communication system not only helps to keep their flocks together, but also helps to warn of danger. Other birds like the redbreasted nuthatch pay heed to the "chick-a-dees" and other calls.
Two chickadee species are commonly seen on the North Shore: the blackcapped and the chestnutbacked. A third species, the mountain chickadee, is rare but a few are seen each winter. The "teatime" song of the blackcapped is sometimes given on winter days - or is it "cheeseburger"? Because chickadees are good at spotting danger like a northern pygmy-owl, other species tag along in winger flocks. These raving bands can include the golden-crowned and ruby-crowned kinglet, redbreasted nuthatch, downy woodpecker, bushtit, brown creeper and even a rare wintering warbler.
Listening for scolding chickadees is an excellent way to locate birds of prey like owls and hawks.
Coming across a winter flock of songbirds on a sparkling winter day is something magical. You may be strolling along a trail, not seeing many birds, asking yourself, "Where are the birds?" And then, there they are. It's a good feeling as they greet you with their cheery voices.
A good spot to look for winter flocks of mixed birds is the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats trail to Otter Point, on the sanctuary's West side. While there, check out the West Pond for ducks like the ring-necked, bufflehead, and hooded merganser. (If the pond is frozen, look for water birds just offshore.) Watch the skies for the migrating waterfowl like snow geese and trumpeter swans. I once saw a flock of swans fly over Mount Seymour Provincial Park's Mystery Peak. And there is always a chance of spotting a soaring bald eagle, red-tailed hawk or raven.
Nature speaks to us in so many wonderful ways: discoveries await you in the North Shore's parks and outdoor places.
May the chickadees and other birds bring you much joy.
Al Grass is a naturalist with Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia, which offers free walks at the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats on the second Saturday of every month. Next walk: Saturday, Dec. 14 starting at 10 a.m., to search for the birds and mammals that spend the winter at the conservation area. Meet at the site office, 2645 Dollarton Hwy. (two kilometres east of the Iron Workers Second Narrows Memorial Crossing).
