On the coldest days of the year, the chickadees are waiting for us in the Lanark highlands, and they follow us everywhere on our woodland walks. They welcome us at the top of the hill when the car arrives, and they dance blithely from branch to branch over our heads as we go along the trail deep into the woods. Their song is the essence of cheer and fellowship, and never is there a word of complaint from them, even when temperatures plummet and food supplies become scarce in the depths of winter.There are (of course) several feeding stations for the birds at the Two Hundred Acre Wood as well as for the deer, but after several years of good and useful service, the feeders have succumbed to old age and the vigorous attentions of the black bears, who also have a craving for wild bird seed from time to time. Given the presence of several fishers and martens this year, they too may have been visiting the feeders and tossing them about. A few weeks ago, we found all the feeders except for one, lying in jagged shards along the trail and well beyond repair or redemption.
Yesterday was "a day for the birds", and it was one well spent. In a small personal rite of thanks and thanksgiving, we assembled, hung and filled several new feeders for the small friends who always accompany us on our winter potterings. The chickadees were delighted and began to feed at once, but the nuthatches are shy and solitary creatures - they have yet to put in an appearance, and I shall have to be patient for a few days until they begin to feed at the new smorgasboards.
6 comments:
I'm always happy to see black-capped chickadees at our backyard feeder. That's a worthy thing you did, replacing those damaged feeders. Nice tradition.
Can you keep them stocked in the deep winter in case the birds grow dependent on them for their daily bread?
Thanks for a pick in to this experience. My family used to have a large farm, with feeders for birds, squirrels, etc. and it was a pleasing experience to fill them up knowing the gratitude of hundreds of wings was upon us. Absolutely stunning photos. much peace, JP
Beautiful photos of the chickadees! We've just put our bird feeders in order for the winter too. The chickadees started hanging out around the windows a couple of days ago, so I knew it was time to put out the sunflower seeds.
Chickadees are very attractive birds, we don't have them in the UK so I haven't seen them before. It's still so mild here that the birds aren't really interetsed in the feeders yet as there's still so much natural food available.
I love Chickadees. But, they don't come here. I miss them.
What beautiful photographs! I love chickadees too, and I'm especially glad for their company in the winter.
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