Wrapping up the winter season of backyard birding, the first winter in our new backyard. We moved to a new location this past October, and when a nature and bird lover moves from one area to another, it’s not just a change of abode, it’s a change of habitat.
Our move was only 20 kms, not far, and we loved many things about where we were and where we are now — but of course, it’s different. Less water in the front more woods in the back; less hemlock more pines, but also commonalities of fir, spruce, birch, and a great red oak.
The inventory of native and naturalized trees, shrubs and perennial pollinators that got left behind this time was very long indeed (50+). It’s something I miss with every move, but it became an intentional hobby in retirement these past years.
I can’t help but feel a bit sad when I think of the big bumble bee, hummingbird and monarch who returned without fail to the exact same plants and places every summer; but I like to think new owners would have to be nature lovers to choose such a spot to live. They will all find their way without me.
With all the naturally growing seeds and berries, in the past I only fed the birds in the dead of winter, nature took care of them otherwise. So when we moved, not knowing what to expect and dreading a possible drought of feathered friends, when winter arrived we created a small feeder station centred around a sparsely-branched spruce. A platform feeder, a suet cake, a suet bell hung out of squirrels’ reach, and handfuls of seeds scattered below for the ground feeders, all clearly visible from our largest living room window.
To my delight some birds arrived, chickadees flitting in and out, white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatches skittering up and down the trunk, the brown creeper skittering up (not down). Dark-eyed juncos, a shy song sparrow, and mourning doves who all prefer ground-pickings but will fly up for suet in snow. Less often, a goldfinch or downy woodpecker. The small space allowed me to really get to know them close-up through my eyes and camera lens, grateful for that.
This winter was my first attempt at some limited hand-feeding, or I should say first success, in the past both my arm and ego were sore from standing with seeds outstretched but no takers. Patience led to trust and then to a few moments of daily joy with the chickadees, and then the nuthatches.
I’ll soon scale back on the feeding and let Mother Nature take over - I’ve already started compiling a new inventory with some select plantings to try (did I mention “more deer”?).
We still own and visit a patch of woods and wetland near where we lived before, and with better weather coming there will be more outings to photograph my favourite birds of lake and shore. For now, there is still more to explore in my own new backyard. Excited to see what pleasant new surprises spring will bring!