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Audubon Makes It Easy: Fine Food for Feathered Friends
Have you noticed the seasonal change in our local bird population? Some birds that summered with us have, like the swallows, taken off for southern climes, including South America. Others that have spent the summer in the far north are returning to the region because survival is easier in our (relatively) mild winters.
The birds that winter with us must spend all of the very short daylight hours on the critical task of maintaining a balanced metabolic budget: calories coming in from seeds, berries, larvae, etc., and calories spent finding these foods and keeping warm. Given the pressure of this task even in the best of weather, it's no wonder that they appreciate our assistance. In exchange, they reward us with hours of delightful company. A win-win deal: we make their winter lives easier and they make ours cheerier.
Bags of winter cheer (also known as birdseed) are available through Putnam Highlands Audubon Society, and all in biodegradable packaging. Indulge yourself and splurge for the birds. An order form is printed in this paper. It provides 10 choices (all top-quality and nicely priced) with guidance on the birds' preferences. Orders are due soon - Friday, October 12 - so complete the form without delay. And make a note to pickup your order between 9am and Noon, Saturday, October 20, at Hubbard Lodge, 2880 Rte 9 (just north of intersection of Rtes 9 and 301).
If you're a beginner, we suggest the blended mix approach. If you're in need of a feeder, we suggest you go to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Birding Shop,www.onlinenaturemall.com/ clo, for a good selection (look on left column to check out all options). Or you can make your own feeder from a 2-liter plastic soda bottle from instructions at www.birding,about.com/library/ weekly/aa032000b.htm.
Additional order forms are downloadable at www.putnamhighlandsaudubon.org.
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