Showing posts with label winter feeding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter feeding. Show all posts

Sunday, January 10, 2010

footprints in the snow

IT SNOWED!!!! u dont understand, it never snows here in TN!

feeder activity increases! like they r hurrying to fill their bellies before an impending blizzard! its all i can do to keep the feeders full.

and all over the ground, are the tiniest, most adorable footprints!

most of the feeder birds are passerines, perching/songbirds. and their preferred method of ambulating is hopping. so lots of right/left foot marks side-by-side, then a little space, and another one. perfectly formed prints cuz theres no dragging of feet. all w/ three forward-facing toes, and one back. for perching. this is why theyre called perching birds. :)

makes me wish i lived by the ocean so i could track prints.

made a walmart run to add to my offerings at the feeder. some millet/milo/corn b/c i just had black-oil sunflower seed. some suet blocks. and some peanut butter, that i will make projects out of. if i get around to it, i will slice up some apples/oranges and string them out there too. havent had much luck w/ it in the past, but birdies r more willing to try new things when they r extra hungry. the millet/milo/corn combo was a huge hit!

birding rule #7: know when to look: 1.before a snow or during light flurries.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

today i saw...

today i saw a mockingbird, perching on the nose of a reindeer, u know, the ones that sit outside and r lit up w/ christmas lights. :)


***brrrrrrr****** its cold!!!!!
i really dont know how those birdies do it! REMEMBER to keep your feeders going! the seeds r a HUGE part of the birds diet this time of yr. and try to put out some water too. i know its hard, cuz it freezes over, but thats why its needed. the natural supplies r all frozen over too! so even if u have to put out a dish for a few hrs a day, or replace it/break the ice.

birdies do stay warm! notice how cute they suddenly r? that's cuz theyre all fat. not really fat, but the feathers are all puffed out. makes like a big winter coat. [remarkably designed!!!]

birding rule #6 always, ALWAYS feed the birds. go w/o food, let your dog go w/o food, but always feed the birds! :p no, if u really have a tight budget and have to pick, feed in winter. theyre ok in summer.