Birds Flock to Our Backyard Feeder

Early December 2007 has turned out to be quite a turnaround from the unusual warmth we were still basking in last December. Already we've had freezing daytime temps down in the twenties and night time ones in the teens. Glistening white snow blankets the backyard. This has brought birds flocking to our backyard feeder. After that first snowfall and blast of cold arctic wind we learned just how many birds live in our community. The main feeder tried in vain to accommodate a barrage of colorful red finches, chickadees, titmouse, sparrows, nuthatches, cardinals, and of course, snowbirds (as I call them). Spread out across the terrain beneath, mourning doves fed serenely on millet seed and feed scratched out of the feeder above them. Gold finches awaited turns at the nearby thistle seed feeder while woodpeckers pecked away at the suet fastened onto the trunk of our maple tree. Occasionally, the birds made their way to our heated water garden for a drink. All of this we were privileged to watch through a window in our warm snug house. What a winter treat!! We have never regretted all of the time and work it has taken to turn our tiny backyard into a retreat for these beautiful feathered friends. I must admit, though, that it came as a bit of a shock when we realized it was already time to replenish our supply of bird feed last week. It's only early December and the birds visiting our main feeder have already consumed well over fifty pounds of Grade A bird food. Let's hope this Winter will be short-lived and hope that an early Spring lies in store.