Quill of the Hill

      Paula Sampson, our most devoted bird lover, presented a wonderful program on The Birds and Yard Animals of St. Simeon's at our Garden Club meeting a month ago. Here are some of the highlights if you weren't able to be there.

     One of the reasons we are able to enjoy so many birds is that Paula pampers them with servings of seed, thistle, crumbled day-old bread, carrots, apples, oranges, corn and lettuce. They have their own salad bar!

     As Paula puts the bird food out two Crows sit above on branches watching every move, waiting for her to leave so they can swoop down and get first choice of the eats. Ruth Anderson also likes the Crows and feeds them at the same time daily, calling to them as she puts out the food, "CAW! CAW!" Her husband, Gene, delights in thwarting the efforts of the Squirrels to steal all the birds' meals.

     The birds Paula sees most often year after year around our feeders are assorted Sparrows, Robins, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Starlings, Mourning Doves, Crows, Red & Purple Finches (many residents are blessed with these at their feeders), and Cowbirds. The first birds that started her being a bird-watcher were a covey of Quail that grazed about the grounds with a distinctive whistling of "Bob White".

     Madelyne Kyser asked, "How many bird species are there?" Paula has since learned from one of the books written by Professor George Miksch Sutton (formerly of the University of Oklahoma) that there are over 400 types of birds in Oklahoma.

     One of the most vivid images Paula has is the day she saw a Sparrow Hawk within six feet of a resident's window in the Health Care Center. It was roosting at first, flew away and returned with a sparrow for lunch. [Skip to the next paragraph if you don't want the details.] The hawk held the sparrow in her right claw as she pulled the feathers out and ripped at the flesh.

     In the fall and winter we have small flocks of Tufted Titmice (yes, this is a bird - mice don't come in flocks) eating the red and orange berries that grow on bushes outside the City View Dining Room windows and along the west side of A-wing.

     For almost a year, two wild Turkey Hens lived on the grounds of St. Simeon's being fed and watched by all. The following year a third turkey joined them for a few weeks. Then one day in the fall they were gone. We hope they left with a flock passing near by and didn't wind up as someone's Thanksgiving dinner.

     Prior to the addition of the present C-wing there was a Roadrunner who lived on this hill. The Dietary Staff enjoyed watching its daily routine. It always followed the same path, coming from around the building, stealthily moving along the wall, peeking around the corner, then moving into the shrubs, skulking like a cat as it watched the birds gather on the ground. It would hunker down, patiently waiting and when a small bird came close, run and gobble it up, head held high, and swallow it whole!

     For a while we had some Peacocks given by former St. Simeon's secretary, Mary Jane McClure. Paula got to go with her to pick them up in Broken Arrow. They were a beautiful pair strutting around on the grounds. They disappeared and we think wild dogs may have gotten them.     

     Over the years other visitors have graced us with their presence: cats, rabbits, chickens, turtles --all currently in residence here. There used to be a horse that would wander off and come up here before the fence and cattle guard were installed.

     There is a mother Possum who was seen recently outside the main kitchen eating an early morning breakfast. She carried her young over her back hanging from her hairless tail. Paula actually met a Raccoon face to face walking down the drive at 5:30 am. The Raccoon was as surprised as Paula was and each ran fast in the opposite direction. The Raccoon was quite large but ran fast on tiptoe.

     And then there was the Deer. A young buck strayed in from over the hill and stayed a few days. Ronnie Ferguson said he was small for his age, but older than a yearling. He had a full set of small antlers but was very affectionate toward our residents who loved to pet him. But when they stopped, he wanted the petting to continue and would rub his face on their arms causing abrasions. We had to have the Animal Control folks take him over to the Spavinaw Lake area. Ronnie Ferguson and Ron Boren say they have seen other deer recently up on the hill behind the home and there are several places they have seen tracks.

     Foxes are still spotted frequently -- a vixen and two cubs usually. Dr. Washington said he has seen them on the patio earlier this spring eating breadcrumbs off the patio table.

     What a remarkable natural setting St. Simeon's is for wildlife and what enjoyment it can bring us! You might consider donating seed or a birdbath or anything else that could make life better for our resident birds and, in turn, our residents!