I filled a bird feeder with sunflower seed chips and hung it on a cast iron "shepherd's crook" set in a raised bed. I have this feeder out all winter, then bring it in in the summer when the birds are supposed to be eating insects.
Within half an hour, black-capped chickadees and red-breasted nuthatches were lined up, sorting through the bits to find some they liked, and then flying off. Some birds stuff them in the cracks between the fenceposts, and under the loose bark of the birch tree. I felt badly that I'd waited this long to put out the feeder. They seem frantic.
We haven't had snow yet but the Chugach behind town, and Sleeping Lady across the inlet, are coated so it's any day now.
Posted by gail_heineman
at 10:19 PM YDT
