Apparently the birds heard the National Weather Service’s advisory of a Winter Storm Warning and Cold Weather Advisory. On Tuesday, the birds emptied my and many others’ feeders and anxiously awaited refills. My informal feeder watch had a record 20 species on Tuesday. Even though no snow was forecasted for Greenville, the Northern Cardinals swarmed Gina Sanders’ feeder.
In preparation for inclement weather, Jackie and Walter Brooks creatively created a cover for their bird cam. It apparently survived the weather and continues to provide good pictures. My unprotected camera was all a blur until Dean trudged through the ice to clean the lens.
Before 7am on Wednesday, the texts began arriving from friends with pictures and stories of the birds in their yards. Joleen Ardaiaolo wasn’t sure if the bunch of deer running back in forth in her yard were scared or playing. One did stop to check out the bluebird box.
At 8:30, I saw this poor Northern Flicker trying to get a drink from my frozen bird bath. My accommodating husband went out and used hot water to remove the ice and refill. Jackie Brooks and Joleen Ardaiaolo also replaced the frozen water in their bird baths. Interestingly, the birds didn’t seem to come to our refreshed bird baths.
Cool Green Science in a blog answered the question if birds would drink snow: As a last resort, birds can get water from snow; however, melting snow inside the body uses energy. Birds can also get water from dripping icicles. If birds do manage to find a source of unfrozen water, they will gather in large groups and drink.
Deanna Forsythe noticed a Roseatte Spoonbill questioning its decision to expand its territory a little further north.
Walter and Jackie Brooks think this adorable Ruby-crowned Kinglet wasn’t happy with its cold feet. It was showing its ruby crown which usually is an indication it’s defending its territory or confronting a predator.
Seabrookers know we have Ruby-throated Hummingbirds all winter….these are likely ones who migrate in from the north and think this is far enough south. Joleen reported a hummingbird was just sitting on the feeder after she refilled it. Jackie reported they put their feeder back out in the morning and the hummingbird flew around her watching her then immediately posed for a picture when she went inside. The hummingbird would go to my feeder, eat, then return to the wire surrounding my deck. Its puffed up feathers looked like it was shivering.
Nancy Brown was pleased when her dog Sophie obeyed the “leave it” command when she spread dried mealworms on the snow for the Eastern Bluebirds.
Regardless of how you are spending this rare “snow day”, stay safe and enjoy our feathered friends antics….but help them out by providing fresh food and a bird bath free of ice.
Submitted by: Judy Morr