The Final Migration

Poem of Life

Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what's to be,
A resting place along the road,
to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay...
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey's quicker,
For some the journey's slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We'll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the Lord.

96 hot and dry degrees on September 11^th!  Summer just doesn’t want to let go.  Yet, the birds are telling me autumn is on her way. My summer resident  ruby-throated  population  is thinning while other hummers are traveling thru from farther north and western Wisconsin. 

This migration is normal and natural and expected, but the same cannot be said for the “Goldfinch Phenomenon” that is occurring at Bon Bon Pond.  I have never seen so many American Goldfinches.  The huge four sock nyjer feeder is dense with birds as are the hearts feeders, but there are just as many goldies on the ground.  Many of these migrators are old and will not make it thru the winter.  Most of the invalids are females and it is absolutely heartbreaking to see them at the end of their natural lives. 

A friend stopped over yesterday and was taken aback by the number of puffed up birds on the ground.  I don’t know if she thought my previous stories about the “Great Fall Die Off” were tall tales but she was thunderstruck by the sight.  The phenomenon has occurred for the past two years but 2012’s crop is far, far larger.  Indeed, I reminded her that you must be careful when walking as the birds blend in with the dying grass and evergreen needles.  The invalids are able to fly—just not very far or very high. They have no fear of humans at this stage so I try and gently  pick them up off the ground and carefully place them on one of the feeders.  I did some research today and was not able to find any documentation about this phenomenon with goldfinches.  ??? I have had a couple ill house finches but mainly this appears to be a species specific  phenomenon.

As my friend left she said that while disconcerting, she felt as if she had witnessed something extraordinary.  I agree and am truly honored and humbled that these "little ones" have chosen to spend their final days here at Bon Bon Pond.

P.S.  Please click on the label “Little One” at the end of this post to learn about the inspiration for this blog.