I had a few extra minutes this morning before heading out to exercise and I chose to use it to feed the birds. We had the tail end of a snowstorm that probably gave Cop Car about a foot of snow. After midnight the snow began here, but it looks to me as though we got two inches or less. When I looked out the north windows over the herb garden, there wasn’t a bird to be seen. I checked first for the hawk that’s taken to waiting in the apple tree, and then realized there must not be any seed in the feeders.
I filled three of the feeders and added berry suet to both suet holders and came inside for toast. Within three minutes of closing the back door there were thirteen male cardinals and assorted lady cardinals, a house finch, a few sparrows, a chickadee and an eastern starling taking turns at the feeders. I really need to borrow a camcorder to film this morning ritual, to put on the kitchen counter for those who come to see the house.
I hope your birds bring you as much pleasure as ours bring to us. Have a good morning!
It sounds like you are doing okay by your feathered friends! (Is your “eastern starling” the same as our “European starling”?)
KCMo received 12″ of snow and received a big play on TV and radio. Wichita Ks received over 14″ and received not-so-much attention. Of course, even the 17″ that Hays Ks received is little compared to the 30″-40″ that the New England states received not long ago (and I guess more than just New England got it!) We, as you well know, sometimes get deeply drifted snow; but, we rarely get as much snow as this storm brought. I think the news said it was the second largest single-storm snowfall that Wichita (and some other places in Ks) had ever received.
Today, I’ll probably fill ALL of our critter feeders. For the past couple of days I’ve been satisfied at just keeping the feeders and water filled that I can do without leaving the house (or, in the case of the water, taking a step onto the back porch).
I’m happy for your birds!
P.S. I should have written that we, seven miles south of Wichita, received a bit under a foot of snow as far as we can figure.
Cop Car, I was pretty certain that you were going to get a lot of snow, but I didn’t know that this might be a record snow for Kansas. Our forecaster said that Wichita was predicted to get 10.2 inches. The pictures you posted on your blog showed what looked to be about 12″.
I’m happy for my birds, too. I’ll have to check the bird book. You’re probably right about it being a “European” starling. We just saw a red-breasted woodpecker at the feeder. Beautiful bird! I have no doubt that your birds will be exceptionally happy when you have filled all your feeders. What do the wild turkeys do in this weather for food?
They normally eat berries and buds off of trees and bushes, and scratch about on the ground for any green shoots. (I’m not sure if they are bug eaters.)
At our house, they eat corn/peanuts/sunflower seeds or whatever we put out – same as the deer.
Cop Dar – Wichita was on the news – with video and everything. Actually haven’t heard anything about KC – just some genral stuff about the rest of the region.
Buffy – you have a great idea there, taking video of the birds and then set it up for potential buyers to see.
It sure seems like a good idea, Bogie. I just have to get some video in the next few days.
Cop Car, you must have gourmet wild turkeys!