by Ian Gereg, Avian Director

October 19, 2009

The Conservancy saw the first snow of the season yesterday, with up to half an inch accumulating during the evening hours.  Such an early storm sent the first of our less hardy species indoors prematurely this year, including the screamers, crowned cranes, and young magpie geese.  With more seasonable weather in the forecast, species slightly more tolerant of the cold (like whistling ducks and Orinoco geese) should be able to spend a few more weeks outside before they too will need protection from the cold.

The collaborative education program involving the Conservancy and fourth graders from Litchfield Intermediate School continued this week.   Our exposure in the local community is clearly growing when the question of "Who's been to Duck Day?" is proposed to any of the classrooms involved in the program.   The number of students who have visited once and especially those who have visited for several consecutive years is impressive!

Our annual fall newsletter was released recently, full of information on the recent activities and programs at LRWC.  I've attached a copy of the newsletter to the avian update this week along with the weekly photo.

This week's photo is of a group of South American ringed teal in the snow.  As day length shortens and the weather turns cool, most waterfowl at the Conservancy increase their feed consumption to add an insulating layer of fat to help buffer them from the cold.  This layer of fat, along with their insulating down and protective contour feathers keep the birds warm and healthy throughout the colder months of the year.