Here is a good reason to feed birds. The worse the weather is, the more they want to supplement their diets with seed and suet. The worst for them is a sleet storm, because ice coats their favorite source of fresh meat - larvae hiding in the bark and in bushes. Many over-winter in piles of brush and leaves too, if one is intentionally kind to wildlife.
During our extended Indian summer, few birds were seen at the feeders, even when I switched the supply from corn to sunflower seed. Once we had some serious hard freezes, birds and squirrels began their return. I only hang suet when it is reliably cold, so that began in mid-November.
The Jackson EZ Bird Swing went condo this year, with an additional landing area between the two hanging chains. That made me think of a third swing with five threaded rods between them, simply an area to rest and observe, outside the breakfast table.
When bird activity is high, they love to land near the food and work their way to the seeds. Sometimes they back off when the squirrels stop by for an easy breakfast. In the summer, the birds and squirrels have the Butterfly Bush branches to use for resting, waiting, and escaping.
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| Two Lowe's feeders are framed by the bird swing with two levels (threaded rods) to swing on. Two chains hang from two screw hooks - too simple! |
The kitchen window looks over a new Crepe Myrtle, which began to grow last year. That will supplement the swing and feeder already installed.
Years ago, I longed for a complete indoor shelter for a large group of small birds, until I thought about daily maintenance, clean-up, and feeding. If they are just outside our windows, God takes care of 99% of the work.
- Feeding - berries, seeds, and larvae.
- Cleaning - soil creatures converting guano into plant food.
- Maintenance - plants growing and fading away, providing shelter, rest, and food hidden in the bark and branches.
In Bella Vista, the squirrels taunted Sassy. One would peek in the window, disappear, and peek in on the other side. The brick exterior made that easy for her, maddening for Sassy. She learned to ignore them.
We had such a sylvan paradise in Bella Vista that all the creatures were happy to eat at our house, from raccoons to deer to foxes. Unfortunately, gardening was impossible.
Sassy and I saw vultures in Bella Vista,but now we find hawks overhead here. She still loves barking at her rivals in nearby yards. Once the summer growth disappeared, she could see and hear their challenges better and return them. Nothing is more urgent for her than running outside and telling off those dogs, whatever they are saying.
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| Beautyberries feed the birds in late summer and early fall. |
Meanwhile, the returning birds are getting conditioned to us being a few inches away, on the other side of the window. At first they took off and the flock followed. Gradually they came to see no threat and felt more hunger, so they are staying longer to eat.
I will soon be taking pails of water out for their baths so they have fresh water for bathing - essential for them - and for drinking. They do not need a bird bath warmer, but if we had a tough, long winter, I would buy one and keep one kiddy pool unfrozen. For now it is easier to dump ice and replace it with fresh water.
