This morning, I watched out the mouse-house kitchen window as the blue-jays and crows competed for what was left over from yesterday's feeding. The feeders were very low and what had been put in the dry bird-bath for the doves was covered in snow. It didn't take long, though, for a dove to work it's way to the seed. As the wind blew, the home-made suet was devoured and the commercial cakes were being attacked by a downy woodpecker, chickadee and nuthatch. The female cardinal flew in to have a share of the thin pickin's.The squirrels ran around in a frenzy grabbing what they could.
Even the path to the feeders was filled in with fresh-fallen snow.
It was time to get out there with the preferred suet and freshen things up. All the feeders needed filling.
It's hard to keep birds fed in our winter climate but it is so necessary. Once you start there is no turning back. You have become their caretaker and they depend upon your food.
The difficult part is keeping things dry and easily available to them.
We do have hawks that drop by the property. It was only last fall that I saved Simon from what was sure to be his demise when I saw a hawk sitting in the branches right above his home under the old pump. No doubt he thought Simon looked very plump and tasty. I scared it off and covered Simon's home and platform where he eats with the Adirondack chairs. That made it harder for the hawk to attack. Since then there has been no sign of it...for now.
I read if you spot a hawk around your feeders you should take them down for three days. By then, the hawk has left the premises.
Even the path to the feeders was filled in with fresh-fallen snow.
It was time to get out there with the preferred suet and freshen things up. All the feeders needed filling.
There are always lots of Mourning Doves at the feeders.
It's hard to keep birds fed in our winter climate but it is so necessary. Once you start there is no turning back. You have become their caretaker and they depend upon your food.
The difficult part is keeping things dry and easily available to them.
We do have hawks that drop by the property. It was only last fall that I saved Simon from what was sure to be his demise when I saw a hawk sitting in the branches right above his home under the old pump. No doubt he thought Simon looked very plump and tasty. I scared it off and covered Simon's home and platform where he eats with the Adirondack chairs. That made it harder for the hawk to attack. Since then there has been no sign of it...for now.
I read if you spot a hawk around your feeders you should take them down for three days. By then, the hawk has left the premises.
Thanks to our local hawk for dropping it's beautiful feathers for us to enjoy.
Audrey hasn't noticed them...YET.
She's in dreamland.
"Mmmmm...hawk on a sesame seed bun. yum!"
The sun has been out since early morning.
It's a day to be thankful, that's for sure.
hugs, Deb