After a long night of snow, you look outside in the morning and a blanket of white covers the Kings Park landscape as far as you can see. It's beautiful. You go outside and it’s peaceful and quiet, but all of a sudden you realize something's missing, the songs of your neighborhood birds.
Feeding our feathered friends in winter is not only kind, but it can be a fun filled, educational, family affair. All you need is a bird feeder, seed and some time to sit back, watch and enjoy.
All this snow may be taking a toll on your back, and possibly your patience, but for our local bird population, it's quite a challenge to find food this time of year.
The North Shore is home to many beautiful species of birds. Some of the most common include Brown Thrashers, Northern Cardinals, Northern Flickers, Blue Jays and House Sparrows.
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There are many interesting web sites dedicated to help identify our local birds. One such site is LIBirding.com. There you will find extraordinary pictures and facts about the birds that can be found in your own backyard.
Bird feeders can be quite ornamental and a beautiful addition to your garden. There are an array of styles and sizes in your local garden centers, pet stores and even some local markets.
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You can buy specific types of feeders and seed to attract certain types of birds, but it doesn’t have to be that complicated. One easy way is to buy a bird seed bell that can be simply placed on a bush or tree outside your window, thus creating a wonderful alternative to the often over used flat screen.
If you have children, making your own bird feeder can be a great way to spend time together on a cold, long winter day. It’s as simple as taking a pinecone, tying a string to the top, spreading peanut butter all over it and rolling it in bird seed. Then just hang it from a tree branch and wait for the show to begin.
So next time you are going to the local market, along with the milk, bread and snacks for the kids, consider picking up a bag of wild bird seed. You’ll not only be helping our feathered friends, you’ll learn all about the birds found in our neighborhood.
Category: Outdoors, Family
Price: Free
Season: Year-round
Note: Great for old and young alike.
Stay tuned for # 98 next week, same time same place.
