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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 07, 1985 - The Birds of FallPage 12A The Suffolk Times November 7,1985 The Birds of Fall By PAUL STOUTENBURGH It's time to get suet from the local butcher and start hanging it out for the birds. Years ago you could just ask for suet and they'd throw it in for nothing. Today they'll charge you as much as we used to pay for our meat. How things have changed. If you have woods around your home and you have suet out you'll surely get woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches and a wide variety of others hoping for that high energy handout. Of course, you'll occasionally get that unwanted bandit of the woodlot, the raccoon. But if you hang your suet free of trees, poles and feeders, your suet will usually be able to survive. Woodpeckers are most beneficial to man because their diet is made up mostly of grubs, ants, insects and just about anything that crawls in front of them. Most are equipped with a special tongue that can reach into cavities, tun- nels and openings to snatch out a grub or bug. Often a woodpecker will spend a long time chipping away at a tree to locate its tasty morsel. Evidently the wood- pecker can hear or detect the unsuspect- ing grub below the surface. Some suggest they locate their prey by tap- ping on the wood, much like when one taps on the wall to locate a stud to hang a picture on. Our most common woodpeckers are the ladderbacks, which include the downy and hairy woodpeckers. Their black and white stripes give them this distinction and the red topknot tells you it's the male. The downy woodpecker is much bigger and much less common. Sometimes the size difference is dif- ficult to see, particularly if you lack 65 Focus on Nature something to compare it to. Downy and hairy woodpeckers nest in our woods here, but because of the limited woodland and particularly the lack of dead trees, they like many other cavity nesters are having a difficult time. Flicker Much Larger A much larger woodpecker that occa- sionally visits our feeder is the flicker. This handsome bird is as large as our bluejay. It differs from other woodpec- kers in that it spends much of its time on the ground feeding on ants, its favor- ite food. Often I've seen them driving their head into the ground into an ant hill; I can just imagine the tongue lick- ing around and pulling out these little fellows, which make up the vast major- ity of the flicker's diet during the warmer months. I've often seen these birds migrating along the barrier beach of Fire Island. Sometimes we would count over 100 of them in a single day passing as we watched for hawks. Their long undulat- ing flight is easily recognized. Some stay through the winter feeding on grubs, seeds and other winter rations. It too builds a cavity nest in old dead trees and when it sets its mind to chisel- ing out a homestead for itself, the chips really start to fly. Often you'll find the ground covered with newly chipped Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh SAPSUCKER WAS HERE - -The -yellow- bellied woodpecker that passes through our area on migration leaves its trademark on the smooth bark of trees. It drills holes and collects the sap, very much like the upstater collecting maple syrup. wood once this fellow starts to work. One of the problems flickers are fac- ing is the invasion of starlings into the woods to take over their nesting sites. The starling is so out of place here in North America that it is becoming a real problem not only to the Bickers but to grape growers, sweet corn growers and almost anyone else who has certain produce to grow. The bird has few pre- dators and is especially agressive -- it seeks out nesting sites no matter where and food supplies no matter where. You'll find it robbing your feeder, work- ing in the salt water marsh or living off bayberries in the winter when things get difficult. No food supply is safe with these marauders on the loose. A relative newcomer you'll be seeing more and more of is the red - bellied woodpecker. This fellow has a brilliant scarlet cap and was rarely seen in these parts a few years ago. Lately we've seen and heard more and more from him. The call is very unusual and once iden- tified you'll never forget it. It has a cer- tain captivating charm of the wild. Be- lieve me, once seen or heard you'll never forget the red - bellied woodpecker. Our last woodpecker and the one we continued on page 14A) Gloves by Hotfingers•Goggles by Uvex•Helly Hansen•LIFA•Af ter Ski Boots by Tech nica•Ski Bags & Boot Bags by Sport GraphicsoSwing West•Black BearoGortex Shell Tops & Bottoms by AFRC•Chi ldrens'Thermals•Hot Liners• Down Vests•XXL Sizes• Larger Selection• Fashion Ski SocksoHats Galore•Bi -Ply Thermals•Snow Mobile Gloves & Suits• "In the Boot" Ski Pants Gargoyles* VuornetoBolle •Serergeti•Conroy• Scarf s•Ear Muffs FASHION TURTLEP For the Whole Fan Reg. $18 SALE $1 BERMEYER BIBS x Reg. $so SALE $49 Swatch o Shipment of Watches & Shields Have Arrived FALL FASHIONS Page 14A The Suffolk Times November 7,1985 75 Years Ago November 5, 1910 Estimate Highway Expenses: The Southold Town Board met at the office of Supervisor Tuthill last Friday after- noon. The following estimate of high- way expenses for the ensuing year, pre- pared by Town Superintendent Geo. H. Fleet, was approved by the Town Board: For the repair and improvement of town highways, $18,000. This includes 9,000 for maintenance and $9,000 for oiling roads. For repair of bridge and Gull Pond, near Stirling Cemetery, Greenport, $50. For repair of bridge on New Suffolk Ave., crossing Down's and Hall's Creeks, $200. For repair of Westphalia Bridge, crossing Mattituck Creek, $50. For repair of Mill Creek Bridge, Southold, $25. For repairs of Oak Lawn Bridge, Southold, $50. For general repair of all bridges, $300. Total for bridges, $675. For machinery fund, $500. For re- moval of snow, $1,000. For cutting weeds, $150. Total highway expenses, 20,325. The State pays one -half of this expense and the Town one -half. An Editorial: The bath tub will be within the reach of every working man if the Republican administration can do it. Government investigation was Let's'Look Back begun this week against the "Bath Tub Trust." It is reported that a first class bath tub should cost only a few dollars instead of the present enormous price. College Etiquette: A college girl must, of course, first of all develop her mind as far as possible, but this does not mean that she must or may forget the rules of etiquette laid down for all well bred girls, whether at home, at col- lege, in business or in the social world. She must talk in low tones. She must be courteous to all around her, respect- ful to those who are older and consider- ate of those who are beneath her so- cially. She must learn to converse in an interesting manner without asserting her own opinions or try in any way to show a superior knowledge, even upon subjects which she has made her special study. She must learn to act the part of the graceful, courteous and interesting hos- tess and also the charming and well read guest. At all times she must be the well bred, dignified, courteous as well as interesting and clever college girl. In the social world there is a tacit under- standing that we shall all be agreeable to one another, always putting the at- tractive things of life on the outside and keeping our private woes to ourselves. This is a rule that none can overlook old or young, society girl, college girl or business girl. 50 Years Ago November 8, 1935 Horton Re- elected Supervisor: On the wave of the sweeping victory that gave the Republican Party in New York State the 1936 control of the Assembly by a working margin of 28 to 68 votes, that in Suffolk County elected nine Re- publican Supervisors out of the ten Towns, .Supervisor S. Wentworth Hor- ton and the entire Republican ticket in Southold Town was elected by large majorities. Supervisor Horton of Green - port, who is completing his first term in office, was re- elected by a plurality of 1445 votes, the largest vote that has QUALITY HOMES AT AFFORDABLE PRICES From $68,500 on your land which includes Full Basement • European -Style Kitchen • Front & Rear Deck • Oak Flooring Fireplace with Five Appliances • Cedar Siding Throughout Local Builder Born on The East End • Many Styles Available • Models Open Monday - Sunday 9 -5 LYNCH HOMES INC. 321 COUNTY RD. 39A, SOUTHAMPTON (Just West Of The Hampton Jitney) (516) 283 -0009 REWARD! Unclaimed School Sewing Machines Necchi's Educational department placed orders in anticipation of previous year sales. Due to budget cuts, these sales were unclaimed. These machines must be sold! All machines offered are the most modern machines in the Necchi line. These machines are MADE OF METAL and sew on all fabrics; Levi's, canvas, upholstery, nylon, stretch, vinyl, silk, EVEN SEW ON LEATHER. These machines are new with a 25 -year warranty. With the new 1986 Necchi 534 machine, you just set the color - coded dial and see magic happen; straight sewing, zigzag, buttonholes, applique, sew on buttons and snaps, top stitch, professional serging stitch, straight stretch stitch...all of this and more, without the need of old- fashioned cams or programmers. YOUR PRICE WITH THIS AD: $198. WITHOUT THIS AD: $539. PLACE: SHERATON SMITHTOWN -110 VanderbuiIt Motor Parkway (off Exit 54, L.I.E.) Phone: 231 -1100 DATE: November T8 and 9. T ME: Thurs. and Fri. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. been received by a winning candidate for Supervisor in Southold Town for many years. Dr. J. Mott Heath, of Greenport, who was re- elected Coroner, polled the largest vote of any of the Republican candidates. The election districts in the Village of Greenport gave Supervisor Horton a majority of 564 over his Demo- cratic opponent Fred N. Terrell. In the Southold Town contest for Superinten- dent of Highways, Harold D. Price, Re- publican, polled 2574 to 1751 received by his Democratic opponent, Fred C. Leicht. Town Clerk Russell Davison re- ceived 2663 and the Democratic candi- date R. Eugene Lindsay, 1935. For Re- ceiver of Taxes, Everett H. Vail polled 2688 in comparison to the 1879 given his Democratic opponents. WPA Project Approved: Among the twenty WPA projects which were recently approved for Nassau and Suf- folk Counties, was one for the Village of Greenport. Due to the efficient work of Mayor Ansel V. Young and the Vil- lage Board of Trustees, who were in- strumental in having this project ap- proved, $32,480 has been appropriated under the WPA project for the laying of water mains in Greenport and vicin- ity. The project includes the laying of water mains on the North Road to Sandy Beach, Front Street to West Greenport. The project which will start on or about December 1st, will provide employment for 45 men for a period of six months. 25 Years Ago November 4, 1960 Rotarians Hear Talk on World Communism Threat: International Communism and its threat of world domination was the subject of a timely talk at the Thursday noon luncheon meeting of the Greenport Rotary Club last week. The guest speaker was Lieut. Robert J. Kaufman, who serves as Ad- vocate at the Suffolk County Air Force Base in Westhampton Beach. Lieut. Kaufman, who was born in Springfield, Ill., attended Marquette University where he majored in political science. He received his Bachelor of Laws degree from Marquette University Law School. Lieut. Kaufman vividly portrayed the threat of world domination by Com- munism. According to the speaker we all too often hear people say, "Com- munism is an old subject," or "I don't know and I don't care about it, as it is no threat to us." Yet only ninety miles from the coast of Florida, a communistic government is being set up. Focus,,, continued from page 12A) probably see the least of is a transient, for we see it only on migration. It's the yellow - bellied woodpecker. Not liked by tree growers and orchard people be- cause of its habits of digging strings of holes in tree bark, it perhaps ranks low on the list of all beneficial woodpeckers. The bird makes the holes in rings around the trees and waits for the sap to flow. Then it collects it just as the upstaters collect their maple syrup. It's because of these sap holes and the controversial reported damage they do to trees, that they've gotten their bad name. It also lives on insects and ants they are attracted to the syrup. It defi- nitely does not have the ability to be as beneficial as the other woodpeckers, for it lacks that particularly long barbed tongue that the woodpeckers use in ex- tracting insects from their tunnels and holes. I guess in my book all woodpeckers are beneficial, for each has a place in the natural world. But then I don't have a commercial orchard or raise ornamen- tal trees where Mr. Sapsucker might do his reported harm.