Birds on a Wire
By Wendy
@jerzgirl (9384)
United States
December 30, 2015 5:31pm CST
We've had a lot of crazy weather all across the country. Places that are never cold are freezing. Places that are usually cold are balmy and rainy. Tornadoes at Christmas time. Flowers beginning to bloom where they should be dormant. Weird, no matter where you are.
Here's my point. Have you ever noticed, before a storm front comes in, often even before you can see that the skies are even changing, all the birds (usually starlings and chickadees - and a few others) suddenly appear on the powerlines and they are all close together. If you have noticed them, have you noticed that they generally face the direction from which a storm will be approaching?
I began noticing this in the last 10 years not long after we began living in Gloucester. I don't ever remember seeing the birds do this where I grew up. But, it's kind of neat to see that they are aware of changing weather patterns and get together to prepare. I'm assuming it's the "strength in numbers" thing. They stay warmer and are less likely to be blown around if all huddled.
3 people like this
3 responses
@jerzgirl (9384)
• United States
31 Dec 15
See if you notice it sometime. I'm sure there are flocks of birds in England that find places to roost just before a storm - but, it might not look like a storm or other weather system is likely when you see them. Maybe they all gather in a single bare tree if there are no power lines about. See if you can see them and then wait to see if a system moves in.
1 person likes this
@trivia79 (7827)
• El Segundo, California
31 Dec 15
Birds hanging out altogether while the sun still hanging in the sky is a clear sign that a rain phenomena will happen. May it be just a small drizzle or average tropical storm, birds will fly over the skies and balance on their two feet on wires to give us the warning that rain is coming.
