At dusk tonight, around 4:40pm, I was standing at the back of the path, looking out over the corn fields. I could see the farmer’s very large tractor slowly moving in the field, that bright John Deere green cutting a path as it harvested the dried corn. An equally large, green truck waited close by for the corn to be loaded.
That sound, a whirling roaring, scream that tractors make, came at me in waves slipping on the wind, it sounded similar to those monster, sound effects in the old, ‘Lost in Space’ TV show.
My dog sat at my feet, his nose lifted up as he sniffed the wind. It was quiet, except for a few crows that flew past in a huff.
At that point, I suddenly missed the sounds the Robins made at sunset. I don’t know when it happened, but they all flew south for the winter.
Last winter, the only winter I can remember I spotted a Robin hopping around in the snow, his red breast contrasted beautifully against the pure white snow. I thought maybe his direction finder was off kilter.
So, I checked on line and found that- Robins rely on the Earth’s magnetic field to show them the way home, to food, to warmer weather. I really wish I could tap in to that field. I get lost in my living room.
I thought of an article I had written for a class. It was about electromagnetic fields disrupting bees, birds and our bodies on a cellular level. I find it sadly interesting how everything is connected, except when profit comes into play…
I turned to Uriah. “Here Boy, have a milk bone.”
Uriah pulled himself up, and wagged his tail, while crunching on his treat. He looked over his shoulder at the dark trees.
Squinting at the shadows, I smiled. “I got the message, let’s head back home.” I rubbed his face with both hands.
He loved it so much; he started to bump his entire body against my legs, nearly knocking me off balance. I gave him a playful shove. He smiled back at me and waddled fast towards the house.
“Chickens also orient themselves by the Earth’s magnetic field”
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-07/jwgf-cao070507.php
One reply on “Robins rely on the Earth’s magnetic field to show them the way home”
Lots of of people talk about this issue but you said really true words.