Feeding the birds

For those who follow this blog, you know that I love birds and have several feeders around the house as well as nest boxes for bluebirds, swallows and owls. Unfortunately many of the birds won't hang about for a photography session when I'm outside - largely I suspect because of my rambunctious four-legged companions.

However yesterday I took my camera with great hopes of getting a clear photograph of at least ONE bird... aha success. Needless to say the dogs were elsewhere on their adventures.

Chickadees are common visitors to many northern feeders. They hang about my place year round, largely because I feed year round.

Chickadees are among the most courageous of all birds and can be coaxed to sit on one's hand if you have patience to stay still long enough. They dive bomb me frequently when I'm out re-hanging or re-filling any one of the feeders. They chide me that I've been neglecting them or that I am in their way and inevitably they make me smile or laugh.

From all-birds.com: Feeding and watching birds is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the America.  Around 60 million people feed birds in the US.  The only outdoor hobby that is more popular is gardening, and the two are natural partners.  Feeding birds, and watching them at feeders is enjoyed by all ages. For birds the benefit is reliable food sources provided by feeders.  Many birds depend on feeders to get them through the winter.


http://www.ofnc.ca/fletcher/howto/htfeeder.php Fletcher Wildlife Garden website has some tips on feeding birds, among them not feeding straight peanut butter which can choke birds and not feeding bread, muffins or bakery products because they don't have the nutrition birds need and could starve birds that eat too much of these items. Worth checking out.


This hobby started in my family with my father I believe, back in the 50s. Many of the family have developed the habit and love watching the birds, joining the many people around the world who enjoy this pass time.


Hope you are doing something today that you enjoy!