One thing I should have thought of yesterday–but embarrassingly didn’t–is that Texas just ended a two-year drought of historic proportions. There were horrifying wildlife die-offs, cataclysmic nesting failures amongst birds, massive disease outbreaks from organisms that thrived in the crippled environment, whole ecosystems made near lifeless because even insects and microorganisms couldn’t survive… Well, it was quite bad. But what I failed to consider yesterday is this: that drought was at its worst in the southern half of the state. Though the drought has now ended, the areas affected have yet to recover fully, something that will take much more time to accomplish. That means those areas lack seeds, fruit and insects for birds. Hence: the large numbers of robins, bluebirds and waxwings in the state most likely are being seen in areas that can support them, and those areas are confined to the northern half or third of Texas. That means we’re cramming a lot more birds into a smaller area than is usual (and not just in Texas since the backwash would flow into surrounding states).

And climate change is a complex issue. It’s not as simple as making the planet warmer or colder; it’s more like giving a child a chemistry set without an instruction book: you can’t predict the outcome. The climate is a vast and complex system that works by chaos theory: the smallest change in one place can cause a domino effect that creates monstrous repercussions all the way around the globe. Sadly, we don’t understand the system well enough to know what’s happening. That means we’re interfering in a mechanism that’s so complex and unpredictable that we haven’t a clue what our interference will cause. It’s a pretty safe bet that we’re not helping, though.

So yes, climate change can and will cause issues like this–at least in my opinion. I was a physics and mathematics major in college; the one thing I can’t deny is atmospheric physics: it’s an unbelievably complex system in which every minor change vastly affects the outcome, sometimes in small ways but often in large ways. And because the environment is also a chaotic system (e.g., changes to the microorganisms in an area greatly modifies the whole of the ecology), what problems the climate causes ripples down through the whole chain of life–from top to bottom.

Stunning photos, Amber! Snow really does wonders. The titmouse image is my favorite with that fierce stare, though the close-up of the squirrel enjoying a treat is captivating and fun. And I had the same thought about the goldfinch standing in snow up to its belly: doesn’t look very comfortable at all. Oh, that shot of Roxie puts a huge smile on my face. Too cute!

The robin question is very interesting. There have been multiple reports on TEXBIRDS this winter about unusually high numbers of robins, eastern bluebirds and cedar waxwings. The bluebirds and robins are year-round residents, but all three being here in such large numbers this season–in my not expert opinion–could mean the weather forced more of them to migrate than is usual. Then again, maybe it’s just natural fluctuations in their populations. I admit it’s been 15-20 years since I remember any of them being here in such large numbers. Still, what a thrilling spectacle to behold! (By the way, robins nest at the rookery and you’ll get to enjoy seeing that this year. Very exciting to watch the juveniles hunt worms in the grass!)

As for your juncos, they both look like slate-colored females, the first being a juvenile and the second being an adult.

According to Cornell Lab on the Spring migration of the American Robin “In late February, large numbers migrate northward through Florida and the Gulf states toward breeding sites…and in the far west, T. m. propinquus that wintered in Mexico and Central America move northward through California in February.” This is in response to the seasonal availability of soil invertebrates.

I suspect I was just lucky enough to stumble upon a smaller group of migratory birds. Apparently they can number in the thousands!

Thanks for the link too