Winter is coming, and it’s time to care for all your wee little backyard birds! For 4 years now, I’ve been creating lovely birdseed feeders, out of large Ponderosa pine cones, for our year round aerial residents. These cones make the perfect gift for any bird-loving friends and families! I fashion convenient gift sets in ribboned boxes, and single cones as well. These feeders are available to Salt Lake City locals, as the nature of shipping just can’t guarantee the feeder arrive in one piece.
The great migration of summer birds has moved on to warmer climates, but there are many species that migrate and even winter in Utah. One beautiful bird that weathers through is the Dark-Eyed Junco. They arrive here in early October, and typically hang out in small bachelor groups. It’s exciting the see them return, as they have such a sweet trilling call.
If you’re interested in birding but don’t know where to start, the National Audubon Society has endless resources to get you up to speed! Although I claim no expertise in the field, I’m a visual learner, and have formed a life-long interest in birding, so feel free to ask me all about them as well! Birding Resource
December is also an exciting month to participate in the Audubon-Christmas Bird Count. It’s a real census of all bird species across the nation. You can volunteer with a field team in your area, spending a nice (but chilly) easy day out, helping spot and count species. For more information click here.
An alternative to the census is February’s Great Backyard Bird Count, also held by the Audubon Society, which you can join in on from the comfort of your own home! This is a perfect activity for classrooms and families of all ages! It will be my first year counting from my own feeders, so I’m excited to get to it, as we have heaps of California quail groups that dine out daily!
