Rain and the Return of Grackles

Grackles in the Maple tree in our backyard

When we arrived in Milo, Maine in June of 2023, we were told it was an uncharacteristically rainy month. Boy did it rain. I'm not talking about a Seattle drizzle, or even a rain shower. We experienced several sudden torrential downpours, with drops so big they actually hurt. Then last year, we were told, it was uncharacteristically dry in June. Going into our 3rd summer here, we're not really sure what to expect but at least we're prepared for anything. Yesterday's rain was so lovely and so welcomed after a long stretch without it. It was just a steady stream of light rain - very reminiscent of Seattle winters and it made me nostalgic for our previous life, if only for a moment.

Splish Splash at our front entrance

The rain coincided with the return of the grackles. These birds travel in packs of at least a hundred, and in the early spring, descend on our bird feeders with a velocity. They actually spend less time on the actual feeders and do a very good job of eating all the seed that has fallen on the ground. The chickadees (which we seem to have all year long0 have a sloppy way of grabbing too much food with their beaks and dropping 90% of it on the ground. Because of this inefficient method of eating, they go back for more several times and soon there’s a ton of seed on the ground below. 

Grackles descending on the birdfeeder and ground seeds

Thankful for the work the grackles do, I kept Whiskey inside until the mob had had their fill and made a good dent in tidying up the ground. I also love the music of the grackles – they sing the entire time they are feeding or hanging out in the trees. But they are very cautious and attentive, so the moment I open the back door there is a collective whoosh as they all fly away in unison.

They are always facing the same direction