This year in our area there are many rooks left to winter. Apparently the birds have a premonition that the winter will be warm. And indeed the first month of winter is not cold. Very often the temperature is above zero degrees Celsius.
Birds are the best predictors of the weather. Their natural instincts are better than any barometer. It's amazing how they can feel changes in the weather for a long time.
There is just one thing that is not clear. Where do these rooks live in winter. If in the nests that they build in the spring, then with heavy snowfalls, a lot of snow accumulates there.
Sitting in the snow on top of a tree where there is always a strong cold wind is not very good. Birds can freeze and get sick. Moreover, in winter it is much more difficult to find food for yourself.
I often saw that in winter rooks ate rowan berries. Although this is not very good food for rooks. Often they can be seen rummaging through trash cans in search of food.
Apparently hunger pushes them to get their own food in such a special way. But they do not fly away to warmer places, but stay in the city in winter. So they know they can find their own food here.
Surprisingly, I have never seen them near bird feeders. In winter, people often feed birds. Especially when the weather is cold and inclement.
I would like to hope that this year the rooks will be able to safely winter and meet the warm season.