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Happening at the Crossroads
November 8, 2007
by Coggin Heeringa
We
at Crossroads are all making plans for the holidays. November is the
month we gather together with family and friends to feast. I'm not sure
what is better, the conversation or the bountiful array of food. Of
course, on Thanksgiving, I always eat more than I normally
do....rather like a bird.
Researchers
have discovered that the more food is available, the more birds will
eat. The original research was done with chickens, but it has been
replicated with wild birds. When a food supply is generous, birds will
take generous
helpings.
Researchers
speculate that this is true because the "more intense the stimulus, the
more vigorous the response. " Perhaps this also explains human behavior
at the table. But as I said, family and friends are an important
part of the holiday experience and that too is true of birds. It goes
by the fancy name of "social facilitation."
Basically,
a lone bird behaves differently than a bird in a group. Consequently,
when several birds are gathered in one place and they are all eating,
they each consume more than they would if they were eating in
isolation. This may help explain why flocking helps birds
survive.....birds in a flock build up the body fat they need to carry
them through the winter.
Many
Door County residents feed birds. This week's lecture "Winter Birds"
will be presented in the lecture hall of the Collins Learning Center on
Saturday at 2:00.
This multimedia "preview of coming attractions" will focus on the identification of familiar feeder birds.
On
Sunday, the Green and Gold Nature Hike will appeal to those who need a
good stretch after the game. Because Crossroads is within the City
Limits of Sturgeon Bay, the preserve is a great place to hike
during gun deer season. Monday and Tuesday, naturalist-led
Cabin Fever Hikes will help keep you active.
If
by some miracle, useful snow falls on on our trails, Crossroads will
again designate some trails for hiking and other for skiing. Please
observe the signs so all users can enjoy the trails. Trails are free
and open to the public.
The
Collins Learning Center at Crossroads is located at on County Highway T
across from Whitetails Unlimited. To reach the Leif Everson Observatory
and Stonecipher Astronomy Center, use the Utah Street Entrance. If
skies are clear, call 746-5896 for a recorded message announcing
whether the observatory will be open.
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