Conversations with Critters
Walk with the animals. Talk with the animals. And there’s an app for that…
Today, Critters, our studies for the Oregon Naturalist Program are well underway and in celebration of this incredible journey, we are sharing a few preliminary observations.
First and foremost, is the recognition of a special small bird with a hyperlocal focus here in the Willamette Valley. Please, welcome welcome the subspecies White-breasted Nuthatch Slender-billed. We were first able to identify them not by sight but by sound, by a beautiful and nuanced song and with thanks to the Merlin app.
Please, join our Core Community Cats, Jasper Kitten and Chris, now in excellent nuthatching critter conversation.
Heidi: Hello, Everyone! Welcome to our Furever Friday post! I am off to read all about Oregon Ecoregions, Conservation Strategy Habitats and Conservation Strategy Species! These are habitats and species experiencing threats of survival and what we can do about it, including on an individual level. So take it away, Critters!
Jasper: Hello, Critters! First, we have an observation from The Field to share with you about a habitat and an avian critter subspecies, a species within a species, of the utmost survival importance.
Chris: Thank you for that incredible conversation starter, Jasper. Thank you very much. I can see The Field from The Couch.
Jasper: Correct, Chris. We have a hyperlocal focal field note, observed at our Catio Patio birdfeeder.
Chris: Jasper, the suspense is so suspenseful. Full stop.
Jasper: Yes, it has come to our attention, which is so vast, that the White-breasted Nuthatch of the Slender-billed subspecies is thriving in our Yard and in the Park. However, in our Ecoregion of the Willamette Valley, their survival is of concern.
Chris: Incredible. Due to the advent of the Merlin app, their sweet song first alerted us to their presence right here at home. They are Outdoors, of course of course, due to the Fun Fact that we are Indoor Only Cats. The end.
Jasper: Good point, Chris. From our vantage point at the window, we can appreciate the local success of the White-breasted Slender-billed Nuthatch. Let’s share a photo for the edification and enjoyment of our Readers:
Chris: To help support their survival and success, we have feeders and nesting boxes, known in the vernacular as birdhouses. We try to be of help.
Jasper: Furthermore! Birdhouses help compensate for a loss of habitat, so cavity dwelling birds can find a place to call home. Cavity nesters are birds who build nests inside of holes, especially in trees. For example! Woodpeckers excavate their nesting holes. But! Nuthatches utilize preexisting nesting holes. The end.
Chris: Thank you for the clarification, Jasper.
Jasper: You’re welcome!
Chris: Specifically, our White-breasted Nuthatch Slender-billed needs Oak trees.
Jasper: Critters, this is where the issue of a conservation strategy habitat comes in.
Chris: Where is our Hooman on this topic of conversation?
Jasper: I believe, she went outdoors right here in Oregon.
Chris: Oh. I see here off in the distance, standing in an Oak grove with a flock of White-breasted Nuthatches of the Slender billed subspecies and they’re singing!
Jasper: Is she holding her phone? Is she calling them?
Chris: Good question. Yes! It’s very hard for her to disconnect from technology even in Nature!
Jasper: Gosh. Who does that? Who uses the phone as a phone?
Chris: Exactly. Who. What.
Jasper: Chris, you seem rather fatigued at this point.
Chris: Yes, your observation is correct, Jasper. I’m feeling rather exhausted. The end.
Jasper: Chris, before you take your next nap on The Couch, I’d like to touch on a foraging behavior of Nuthatches which is fascinating stuff.
Chris: Are you implying a topic which involves food?
Jasper: Yes, Chris.
Chris: In that case, I am all ears even though, as stated for the record, I am sleepy.
Jasper: Thank you, Chris. Thank you very much. I would like to point out the behavioral feeding style in which a Nuthatch will smash a nut against a tree in order to release seeds to eat. And! To store in their nesting cavities.
Chris: Incredible, Jasper, and highly relatable. When I get frustrated with a diminishing return on the kibble in my bowl, I resort to smashing my bowl into the wall. The end.
Jasper: An excellent natural foraging behavior and strategy for an Indoor Only Cat.
Chris: Yes, I like to think so. Thank you, Jasper.
Jasper: You’re welcome, Chris. Critters, thank you for being here with us and our in-depth conversation of conservation strategies which, of course of course, we consider a part of our lifelong commitment to learning something new everyday. The end.
Chris: Thank you, Jasper, and well said. I was about to say that before our Hooman started her Oregon Naturalist studies, we had never heard of a conservation strategy. I can rest easy now. Thank you very much, Critters. The end. The end.
Jasper: Please, stay tuned for Detective Tuesday next week, same Crittertime Mystery, same Crittertime Channel when we present the highly anticipated Chapter 9 of The Case of The Misplaced Priority Envelope. Full stop. The end.
🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
Poetry with Pets
A reason for hope
Conservation strategy
Working together
By Jasper Kitten and Chris
Notes:
Merlin app Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Thank you Heidi and critters for sharing a very important post . I have watched to many animals disappear Because of corporate greed by some . Hugs and love to all
Critters! We are here for all the juicy tidbits!!