ADK Journal

from Mohawk Valley Living #85 December 2020

Genesee Joe 92.7TheDrive

Welcoming Visitors During the Long Season of ICEolation

Story and Photos by Gary VanRiper

This male Evening Grosbeak is sitting on a fence post situated on a hand-crafted stand and placed near a feeding station. Look closely and you will see remnants of sunflower seeds on the top of the post.

It is nearly 70 degrees in mid-November when writing this, but a wintry blast a week ago reminded all of us again where we live and what’s coming!

Lockdowns and fear of socialization have already taken a tremendous toll on the emotional well-being of so many.

About to enter the season of ICEolation, there is something you might prepare for now to bring some life and color to an otherwise barren landscape and some cheer to the dreariest of gray days.

Feed the birds! They’re right outside your window and have your camera/phone and field guide close at hand.

A consistently stocked simple feeder on a 2 stable stand is all you need. If you can place it where there is some cover, that will give the birds sought-after protection and extra places to land. An open water source available during frigid weather is another strong attraction. No cover? If you have a spent Christmas tree at the end of December, consider placing it in the snow near the feeder.

Because I have always enjoyed photographing the birds that visit, I prefer using a platform feeder to which I can attach branches from both coniferous and deciduous trees.

The friendly Black-capped Chickadee is almost a guarantee at winter feeders. Be patient and you may be able to get them to eat right out of your hand.

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The suspicious Blue Jay photographed with a telephoto lens through several panes of glass from the warmth and comfort of an inside room.

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If I have the luxury of shooting from a window with a clean background, nothing competes for attention with the bird. On those branches, the visitors appear in a natural, rather than a man-made, setting.

One year I also nailed a few fence posts to homemade stands and placed them near the feeder as well. Sprinkling a few sunflower seeds on top of the posts brought the birds right in and gave an impression of the wild creatures out on the fenced borders of a snow-swept countryside.

It is also possible to bring species such as the friendly Black-capped Chickadee to eat out of your hand. Be patient and some birds may use you as a stopover when traveling back and forth from cover to the feeder. I’ve experienced them dancing on the top of my hat before. With cell phones these days, it should be possible to get some interesting selfies!

From reports I have seen already, it looks like this may be an irruptive year for Evening Grosbeaks. In certain years, shortages of food in the species’ more northern territory drives them further

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Attach natural perches to your feeder for birds to land on. This Dark-eyed Junco is waiting for a turn at the platform feeder just below.

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southward. If they do come, you are going to go through multiple bags of sunflower seeds.

Feed the birds, and you will enjoy hours of ‘live entertainment’ just outside your window with no need for physical distancing, even if you bundle up to join them outside. All the primary colors are there in perpetual motion - the yellow of the Evening Grosbeak, red of the Northern Cardinal, and Blue of the Blue Jay. Other species are dressed in olive, slate, white, buff, browns with some sporting a primary accent ... all taking turns to join the stage and keep you company. •

Gary VanRiper is an author, photographer, and pastor at the Camden Wesleyan Church. He has written 19 children’s books with his son, Justin.

Learn more at: www.adirondackkids.com