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Happening at the Crossroads
December 28, 2007
by Coggin Heeringa The
New Year has begun and now the Caucuses shall begin. Actually, we
experience CAW-cuses at Crossroads at Big Creek every year. The caws of
debating crows ring from our evergreen forests almost every day.
Researchers
tell us that crows have 25 different caws--and that they use them all.
These birds are intelligent, gregarious, and territorial. Most crows
live in family groups and these groups combine to form larger flocks,
often sleeping in communal roosts.
In almost every flock of
birds, one individual is dominant and the others are subordinate. (This
phenomenon is so well-known that the term "pecking order" has become
part of our language.) In a really raucous Caw-cus, birds gather in an
area of the forest, form small groups in different trees, and
appear to challenge each other. This is important to birds
because the dominant bird gets to eat first and it tends to get more
than his share of the goodies.
While it is fun to observe a crow
debate, it can be hard to follow. It appears that the
front-runner changes from time to time--with each shift in dominance
accompanied by loud cawing.
However, internal politicking pales
compared to the united uproar which is directed to members of another
party.....excuse me, other species. When an opponent is an owl or hawk,
the crows unite in their indignation. A special caw called a "mob
call" summons all the crows in the neighborhood and they
literally attack their opponents.
Hikers and skiers at
Crossroads have learned to pay attention to the mob behavior of crows,
because this is how we are able to find owls and hawks in the preserve.
Don't
have skis? No problem. On Thursday afternoons (3:00-4:30 PM) and
Sunday afternoon 1:00-3:00 skis are loaned free of charge when members
of two generations come together. Friends of Crossroads will be
on hand to help families find the correct sizes for boots, poles and
skis. The skis are stored in the lower level of the Collins
Learning Center. Skis will not be loaned if snow conditions are not
adequate.
It is not too late to enroll in Clearing in Winter
Classes, eleven of which will be offered at the Collins Learning
Center. You can pick up a catalogues at the Collins Learning
Center or get the entire schedule at www.theclearing.org. Registration
will be handled by The Clearing.
The Door Peninsula Astronomical
Society will open the Leif Everson Observatory on Saturday...if the
skies are clear. If the skies are overcast, the event will be canceled.
Iffy? Call the DPAS hotline 920-746-5896 to learn if the observatory
will be open. Actually, any night the sky is clear...call this number
and you will be given information about viewing opportunities
Friends
of Crossroads will meet at 6:30 Monday night to Undeck the Halls of the
Collins Learning Center, in addition to electing 2008 officers and
probably make a resolution or two.
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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