By Charlotte Schmaltz, Nature Educator
An easy way that I stay connected to nature, even if I have a busy schedule, is taking a moment to look out a window and watch birds at a bird feeder. It is both simple and, in my opinion, brings an extra bit of joy into one’s life. When I arrive at the Nature Center in the mornings and sit at my desk, I will often pause for a minute to see what the activity is like at the bird feeders right outside. There are different types of feeders out with many kinds of seeds, and the local birds know it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet. In fact, if time allows, I will sometimes spend my lunch break by the huge window, counting the birds I see.
When watching for more than a minute I often observe a variety of natural behaviors, like preening, stretching, and rousing (shaking their feathers out). In the winter, I love to watch them puff up as they trap air between feathers to stay warm, becoming incredibly round and fluffy in the process. Different families of birds also vary in how they eat the seeds from a feeder. Sparrows and finches like to sit right there and gobble them up, while others, such as nuthatches, pick out seeds one at a time then fly away to open the shell with their beak or cache it for later. Sometimes I see birds bickering over a particularly nice seed.
When a rare visitor comes by a feeder, it’s always a special treat. It can be easy to focus on only looking for new bird species, however I find that bird feeders are a great way to enjoy the everyday and common species and watch them in more detail while learning about their individual habits and personalities. Every species has their own quirks that I’ve come to appreciate, and by watching the same species visit over and over I form a deeper connection with the birds and appreciation for them. The myriad species bring life and energy to the feeder, with every individual adding their own flair. Together, they form a beautiful chorus of colors and song.
Different species of songbirds appear to have different personalities. While watching the activity, you might spot an energetic and charismatic chickadee in the air, and then a calm dove cooing on the ground. The bossy Blue Jays may barge in and scatter the plentiful sparrows and juncos that tend to crowd around. Nuthatches will visit in their characteristic upside-down position. Then, a pair of striking cardinals fly down, the bright red of the male standing out amongst the snowy branches, and the subtler female bringing a hint of color to a gray winter background. All these species and more bring their own unique spark to a feeder setup.
As you begin to familiarize yourself with the regular visitors, you may start to develop some favorites. My personal favorite birds to spot are Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus). I love their energy as they flit back and forth, carrying their seeds from the feeder to a branch, then opening them with their pointy little beaks. It is a source of entertainment that simultaneously motivates me. With how diligently they gather food, it encourages me to do my best with whatever task I’m working on.
Connecting to nature is important for your health and wellbeing, both physical and mental. This can be even harder in the wintertime with fewer daylight hours and unfriendly weather. Luckily, setting up a bird feeder is usually easy and straightforward. Simply put food, like seeds, out in an area where birds can reach, making sure it will stay dry if it rains. Different styles of feeders will appeal to different types of birds, but there are some species that will stop by virtually any feeder, if it isn’t empty. There is a common misconception that by putting a feeder out birds will become dependent on humans, luckily that is nothing more than a myth! Studies have found that songbirds will not solely depend on feeders for food, but they can be helpful for survival during times when food is scarce.
Watching birds visit a feeder is also an activity that almost anyone can do. You could spend 5 seconds or 5 hours watching, and any amount of time in between. This makes it very accessible for those who might otherwise struggle to connect with nature. Although the feeders by the window at Audubon are great, this is not exclusive to the Nature Center. Anyone can put up a feeder and watch birds visit. Bird feeders are an easy and excellent way to start connecting to nature in your everyday life. Even while making a morning cup of coffee or tea, taking a moment to stop and observe birds at a feeder is a great way to incorporate nature into an otherwise busy routine. It also provides a moment of mindfulness, so taking a minute to watch and observe the birds can help relieve stress from all the other things going on in your life.
Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature. ACNC is located just east of Route 62 between Warren and Jamestown. The trails are open from dawn to dusk and birds of prey can be viewed anytime the trails are open. The Nature Center is open from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily except Sunday when it opens at 1:00 p.m. More information can be found online at auduboncnc.org or by calling (716) 569-2345.
Cover photo: Dark-eyed Juncos are another common visitor, often scavenging for seeds on the ground. Photo by Terry LeBaron.
Recent Comments