I enjoy feeding and watching birds all year long. Every year I see something I haven’t before and my catalog grows a little bigger. This past year I saw my first Blue Grosbeak during the change from winter to spring. Our yard backs up to woods so I’ve also had the chance to see birds that are not feeder birds and tend to be brush dwellers and timid. You know, the birds you glimpse and have barely the time to say “Did I just see a….” and they’re back to their hiding places. I believe it took me four sightings before I could confirm my first Eastern Towhee.
Still, my favorite time of year is winter and the birds it brings hold a special place in my heart. Every fall I strain to hear the first drunken sailor whistle of my small flock of White Throated Sparrows. They usually arrive either with or shortly after the Dark Eyed Juncos. The Juncos bring a comedy show to my patio every winter with their incessant bullying and bickering. The air acrobatics they do chasing each other around my yard is nothing short of spectacular.
There are other birds that I only see in winter like the Brown Creepers and Purple Finches but you have to pay close attention to see them. The creepers because they walk up and down the bark of trees and the finches because they don’t take over feeders like their House Finch cousins.
I think I enjoy the changing of the guard in my backyard that winter brings but I also feel better knowing that my feeders are helping these birds through a tough time of year.
What about you? Are there birds you look forward to seeing at different times of the year? If so, share your story with us by leaving a comment below.
Enjoy today,
Jeff
sampat says
After reading this post , i am remembering my all childhood days.life with all animals is great.
admin says
Sampat,
Thank you for your comment.
They do fulfill us in ways we can’t imagine.
Jeff