January 22, 2010 - 1
The songbirds are singing in the mornings again! It's not quite like spring or anything yet, but I've recently been hearing the sweet sound of pre-dawn birdsong that I've missed so much these past few chilly months. And, how cool is this? The cardinals were at the bird feeders well past 5:00 each night this week allowing for a bit of bird watching pleasure even on those nights when I have to work late. -- Meanwhile, the nights are getting shorter and the days are growing longer. Sunrise occurred in the backyard this morning at 7:18. Sunset will arrive at 5:06 this afternoon. Having gained thirteen minutes this week, we're up to 9 hours, 48 minutes of magnificent sunlight each day!Backyard Tip of the week: It's that time of year again when you may consider inventive ways to recycle your cut Christmas tree. You can try to find an out of the way spot in your yard to place the tree so that your local birds and other wildlife may benefit from the tree. Place the tree either upright or simply lay it on it's side, whichever is most suitable for your situation. Allowing the tree to decompose naturally is said to be best for the environment as the associated carbon is released over time instead of more quickly or all at once as is the case with mulching or burning. You can also use your leftover tree as a bird feeder of sorts. Just place it in an appropriate place where you can see it and such that the birds can get to it easily then spread a bit of birdseed on it each day. Use your seed sparingly in this manner until the birds get used to the new feeding area so as not to attract any unwanted guests. Try these natural ways of recycling, then sit back and enjoy as many avian visitors will be able to use your spent Christmas tree for cover and for the nourishment you are providing through the winter. Try it, you're sure to love it!.
Backyard sightings for last week: Including northern cardinals, dark-eyed juncos, blue-jays, brown creepers, song sparrows, tree sparrows, white-throated sparrows. Carolina wrens, Carolina chickadees, catbirds, mockingbirds, house finches, goldfinches, purple finches. Red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, yellow-bellied sapsuckers. Northern flickers, white-breasted nuthatches, tufted titmice, European starlings, mourning doves, crows, skunks, bunnies, squirrels, a very large sharp shinned hawk, and still a late night freight train blowing it's whistle in the distance.
Continued on next page...
January 22, 2010 Part 2 - Cool Sightings
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