Nature Watch, May 6, 2026

Flocks of migrating sparrows, finches, and mixed groups of black birds made me aware again of last summer’s severe drought. There had been what looked like grass seed in the fields, but not enough rain to produce seed — the seed heads were empty! And now birds are mobbing one small seed feeder and small seeds grown hundreds of miles from here that we have scattered on the ground. Not a good feeling to know they are so dependent on us, as the climate pulls the rug!