Winter's Bottleneck and the Cure for the Common Covid19

The Winter Bottleneck 

Late winter has been described as the Great Bottleneck in wildlife ecology. A large population of most wildlife enters winter each year, but the survival of many until the next year is not assured. Winter habitats may not provide sufficient food and cover or these large populations. Animals stressed and worn out from battling winter conditions are often in poor health and susceptible to disease, hypothermia and predators. Nearly all wildlife face this bottleneck of large numbers of animals trying to fit through a narrowing availability of resources as winter progresses. Even species that hibernate or migrate to warmer climates are faced with competition for suitable denning sites or a reliable and abundant supply of food.

The Bottleneck is especially harsh for those species that over winter in Northeast Washington. Food sources get covered with snow that can last for months. Temperatures can plummet below freezing and lock up drinking water and require extra energy from fat reserves and food supplies. Late winter storms don't care.

Male House Finch at sunflower seed feeder

All this is to say that if you have a bird feeder, keep it well supplied during these late winter days. Eventually the snow will disappear and natural food sources will become more abundant. Until then, there will be competition among species for the same supply of seeds, berries, and hiding cover.

American Robin grabbing the last of the berries

White-tailed Deer and Wild Turkeys in competition for seeds?

And what about the human population this time of year? Covid19. We now face our own bottleneck and competition for scarce resources (toilet paper and hand sanitizer anyone?). Our habitat is being diminished at an alarming rate with school closures, event cancellations and self-quarantining. 

What Can We Do About it? Expand your habitat and feed the soul. Get outside and do some birding, of course!  

Cure For The Common COVID19
- Birding is a great way to separate yourself from the crowds
- Birding provides distraction from the stress of constant bombardment of negative news
- No school? Get the kids out into the Classroom of the Outdoors! Have them identify and look up as many bird species as they can. Have a competition and prizes for who can spot the most different kinds of birds. Or maybe awards for the first 5 bird species, then another award for the first 10 species, etc... Learn to photograph birds or sketch them. Write a short essay on "What I Did During the Great Covid19 Epidemic of 2020."
- Birding is an unlimited supply of enjoyment. No shortages. No price gouging. No tense exchanges in the store as the shelves empty.
- Relax. Breathe virus-free air. Touch a clean tree branch. Walk away from the crowds.


Need some ideas on where to go or how to go about it? Drop me a line at newbirders@gmail.com and I can help you out!


Stay Well and Good Birding,

                 - Hawkeye