UNH Cooperative Extension: Peeking in on the lives of birds

The other morning, I watched a turkey vulture float in lazy circles on invisible air currents. No effort — just a slight tilt as it moved through the sky. After several minutes, it did flap its wings for a few seconds and then continued gliding on its search for carrion.

Birds entrance me. Whatever I am doing, I am pulled to an abrupt stop when a bird comes into view. Dinner could be cooking on the stove; I could be pulling weeds in a garden; if a bird comes by, all work ceases while I watch, wonder and question. Does it have a nest? Are they young? How far has it traveled as it hunts for food? Where did it spend the winter? Is this its first year here? So many questions — and so few answers.