Winter birds brighten our days

#Middlebury #Birds

A female cardinal is fluffed up and doing well despite the winter cold. Help the birds this winter by offering them bird seed. (Curtiss Clark photo)

By JANINE SULLIVAN-WILEY

My husband and I had a more exciting vacation than expected when we were in Ecuador in October. The “you better be ready for anything” bird sang throughout our vacation. The very day we arrived in Quito, the country was shut down by a massive transportation strike which evolved into additional protests and demonstrations that persisted pretty much until we were leaving. This meant all of our carefully made plans went out the window. Due to the kindness and flexibility of the author’s cousin and her husband, who currently live in Cuenca, Ecuador, all was not lost … it was just a bit misplaced.

The changes in our plans gave us time to do other things, such as look for birds that live in the more urban areas of Ecuador. They include many varieties of hummingbirds, even one with a remarkable long tail that flitted around the flowers where we stayed.

When we returned home, I couldn’t help but notice what a marvelous diversity of birds we have right here, in our own suburban/rural town. Even considering that autumn is well under way, and all of the summer species (including our own beautiful hummingbird, the ruby throated) have headed for parts south, there still are many wonderful species remaining to delight us throughout the winter.

Especially as the days and nights get colder and the first snows fall, your best chance of seeing the widest variety of birds in winter is to hang out those bird feeders that have spent summer sequestered due to bears. A few of the reliable members of the winter-in-Connecticut club include House Finches, House Sparrows, White Throated Sparrows and Dark Eyed Juncos (both of which actually migrate south to winter here), Mourning Doves, American Robins, Pine Siskins, American Goldfinches, Tufted Titmice, Downy Woodpeckers, Black Capped Chickadees, Northern Cardinals and Blue Jays.

Yes, the list does include Robins, which have increasingly wintered over in Connecticut in the last 50 years. The Goldfinches may seem to have disappeared, but they have not; their plumage fades with the winter sun.

The last five on the list are my winter favorites. The Downy Woodpeckers seem so well dressed in their black and white plumage with the jaunty red cap, Cardinals and Blue Jays are spectacular against winter gray and snow, the Chickadees are so perky, and the Tufted Titmice have those big, dark eyes. Yes, our winter-hardy feathered friends are a treat for the eyes and spirit.

If you’re wondering how these birds manage to tolerate the cold, the wind and the snow, the answer is in their clever plumage: they live in what is essentially an adjustable down coat. When they need to, they can fluff up their feathers, trapping in their body heat. But they also need a steady supply of energy-rich food. Many seeds and berries still are available in the wild, and some birds have squirreled away seeds and nuts in their winter larders. Those that plan ahead include Blue Jays, members of the Corvid family, some of the most clever birds. But food you supply in feeders is welcome for all and, as I noted, brings them close so we can enjoy their beauty.

This means we don’t have to travel far to see fascinating birds – whether hiking or simply staying warm while gazing out of our window, we can enjoy fabulous winter hardy birds right here in Middlebury.

Find information about the Middlebury Land Trust at middleburylandtrust.org. Contact this writer at jswspotlight@gmail.com.