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Winter Eastern Phoebe Sightings posted by Joshua Eastlake on January 3, 2010 at 15:29:15

Re: Winter Eastern Phoebe Sightings posted by Mike Busam on January 3, 2010 at 16:16:55

Re: Winter Eastern Phoebe Sightings posted by Kathi Hutton on January 3, 2010 at 17:56:44

Re: Winter Eastern Phoebe Sightings posted by Kathi Hutton on January 3, 2010 at 17:57:51

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	Winter Eastern Phoebe Sightings         posted by Joshua Eastlake on January 3, 2010 at 15:29:15
	I've seen two Eastern Phoebes this winter, both in very cold weather with snow on the ground. Both birds were active right next to open water - one at Fernald and one at Grant Lake. So here's my question: what are they subsisting upon? It seems hard for me to believe that any insects would have been active on the two days in question...
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	Re: Winter Eastern Phoebe Sightings         posted by Mike Busam on January 3, 2010 at 16:16:55
	There are insects and other critters available in winter, and sometimes warm water outlets are good spots to find such prey. There are insect hatches off and on throughout the winter months, depending on water and air temperatures, sunlight, etc. So river and stream side areas can sometimes provide what a phoebe needs to hang on for a while during winter. Eastern Phoebes can also eat seeds and berries in winter, if they need to. I'm not sure such food ever constitutes much of their diet, though. Generally, a local phoebe in winter leaves once we get a prolonged cold spell. It would be interesting to figure out what insects they might be eating. Maybe we should all carry sweep nets and collection vials in winter. Then again, maybe not . . . Take care, ---Mike
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	Re: Winter Eastern Phoebe Sightings         posted by Kathi Hutton on January 3, 2010 at 17:56:44
	Add to those birds a third phoebe, this one on the south swimming beach at East Fork Lake, seen Jan 1 & 2. It was observed near the new shelter house and the restrooms. I think it can get into that building for shelter, also maybe spider nests/bugs?
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	Re: Winter Eastern Phoebe Sightings         posted by Kathi Hutton on January 3, 2010 at 17:57:51
	er... "spider webs," not nests.
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