Get Your Flock into Birds! on Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Few things fascinate children as much as animals, so enthusiasm for backyard bird feeding can be shared by the entire family! As winter approaches, the care and feeding of backyard wildlife becomes my family’s counterpart to summer gardening activities.

Our feeders see more action at this time of year.  Wintering migrants have joined us while a good portion of late summer’s seeds, berries and nuts have been consumed.  Sparrows have returned from nesting sites at higher elevations so millet consumption increases.  Watch for White- and Golden-crowned, and Fox Sparrows, and for Dark-eyed (“Oregon”) Juncos. 

The ruckus of House Finches at thistle and sunflower feeders gives way to the gregariousness of Pine Siskins.  Evening Grosbeaks timidly return for an occasional sunflower seed feast.  Blossoms are fading, sending Anna’s Hummingbirds to nectar feeders more often.

Goldfinch males still eat our nyjer, but are camouflaged in olive-green rather than the bright yellow of summer.  Woodpeckers and bushtits increase their suet intake as colder weather reduces insect populations.  Chickadees, nuthatches, bushtits, and even kinglets, wrens and jays find the suet as well.  The bold colors of Spotted Towhees and Varied Thrushes brighten up our darker days.

My family began backyard bird feeding and wound up creating a suburban habitat that welcomes birds, squirrels, bats, and even tree frogs and other backyard wildlife.  It’s an inexpensive home activity that involves three generations of the Lukens clan.  Why not let the fun of backyard birding connect your entire flock with nature? 

... Scott Lukens