Be Kind to Your Fine Feathered Friends...

Here at my ranch, we have been noticing the birdbath frozen over each morning. I know it is still February and groundhog saw his shadow, and Spring comes anyway in about six weeks, But...

Birds can't drink ice! In cold snaps it more important than ever to refresh the water and to provide a continuous supply of high energy food, especially if you have been feeding the birds regularly all along. They do become dependent on your feeder, and you, friend, are their co-dependent. You are the source, so...

Keep that black-oil sunflower seed supply topped up, keep the nectar current for the winter hummingbirds, fill an appropriate holder with quality suet that various birds can access, toss some seed down for the ground feeders, and know that God is using even you to care for his tiny ones - sparrows, Oregon Juncos, chickadees, nuthatches, finches, bushtits, woodpeckers, flickers, thrush, jays, (early) robins, towhees, and more - all of which are deeply appreciative of your thoughtfulness. Be consistent; little birds can quickly become hungry in cold weather. They need a lot of food to keep up their body temperature. Use hot water to dislodge the ice and change water daily, even more frequently when it is freezing.

And spend a little time watcing these fascinating little friends.