Outside my patio doors there is a 25 year old Alpine Currant hedge about 3 metres long by 1 1/2 metres high. As I sat looking at it this afternoon I was reminded that I had not yet seen a male Common Yellowthroat feeding in it so far this spring. The Winter Wrens had been observed several weeks earlier but as of this afternoon, no Yellowthroat.
At 8:00pm this evening he showed up, a male in brilliant spring colours. The Winter Wrens and the male Yellowthroat have been spring visitors to the hedge for the past 15 years or more. Obviously not the same individuals but the same species, year after year. My wife and I began to discuss this and it seems likely that these species must be attracted to and recognise the Alpine Currant as an excellent refuge and food source.
Any thoughts?
