Feed the birds in winter; in return they will feed your soul with the look of gratitude. — Mehmet Murat idan, Turkish author- (1965- )
What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird. — David Attenborough, British broadcaster and biologist (1926- )
The winter of January rolled in quickly. Sunrise was a little before 7 o’clock in the morning. By sunrise the fisherman was well on this way for a day of fishing. I asked if he was ice fishing. He said, “The water will be fine. I’m wearing lots of clothing and my life jacket.” One can’t help but worry a bit. It’s freezing outside.
The bird feeder was empty and needed filling. The birds spent all their energy trying to stay warm through the night. I refilled feeders and scattered more on the ground. Some birds are ground-feeders. It didn’t take long for the flocks to come in. On the counter were the last ends of a loaf of bread passed its time. I tore the bread in small pieces and scattered it under the feeders. Growing up, that’s how my mother fed birds. She scattered pieces of bread during winter. I don’t remember ever having birdseed.
Beside the feeder and the ground covered bread water trays and birdbaths were frozen. They sell gadgets for warming water but there’s a simpler means by filling a jug of warm water and pouring it over the trays and birdbaths. Before I could leave the birding area, birds swarmed to the feeder, the ground bread and all the water features. Birds were coming in by flocks. At first, they came in by kind, four male bluebirds lit on the birdbath.
Next came the robins while the cardinal preferred the ground bread crumbs. There’s nothing so beautiful as a male cardinal on a cold gray morning. Fortunately for us, cardinals do not migrate. We may enjoy them year-round.
The tufted titmouse visits us as well. It’s a tiny gray and white bird with a dark face and what could look like a cone shaped feather hat on its head.
In bird talk called a “crest.” The chickadee is small like the titmouse. A touch of black feathers on its head and chest. The “cheeks” of its face are white while the body is a silver gray.
Late last year we had flocks of blue jays and though they do not migrate we have not seen them lately. We do have several species of hawks here in the Prairie so they may have moved to safer ground. They, like the bright color of cardinals, add color to the gray winter. I mentioned the male bluebirds. They also spiff up some color in winter.
The yellow-rumped warblers have visited us this winter. As it turns out they only visit Mississippi in winter. The “Myrtle” variety we see is mostly black and gray with a wisp of bright yellow on the head and above the tail.
We had a brief visit from cedar waxwings stopping in for watering. They are beautiful birds passing through Eastern Mississippi searching for junipers, sweet gum, and oak while preferring fruit. The bird has red waxy tips at the end of wing feathers looking like polished fingernails.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion