(Photo taken last February)
Today is a holiday for us, but there will be more posting about that tomorrow (hopefully). I just wanted to send out a reminder to everyone that February is National Bird Feeding Month.
Birds are a vital part of the homestead, whether it be urban or way out in the country. These beautiful feathered creatures are the natural predators of many of the insects that gardeners consider pests, but they're also plant pollinators, though they leave the limelight of that subject to bees and bats. If you're a wildcrafter, birds are often responsible for the spread of wild plant species, especially berries. If all that isn't enough, birds are just plain mesmerizing and relaxing to watch. They are often the centerpiece of therapeutic gardens for those with Alzheimer's, Autism, and other diseases or disorders.
The children are already keeping their eyes open for that first robin of spring, though I'm sure it's still at least a month or two away. For now, we delight ourselves with the songs of the mourning doves, sparrows, and starlings. And oh! That dash of red as a male cardinal darts in to pick at the sunflower heads we've hung out for them... Gorgeous.
For more information on the proper way to feed birds and attract them to your yard or homestead:
The National Bird-Feeding Society
Audubon at Home
Wild Bird Feeding Industry
2 comments:
This is a nice post and I DO feed my birds. They are a joy and give more back than it takes to feed them!
I love that bird feeder - very natural. We have a couple of feeders, a house and a bird bath. Even though they sometimes eat my garden, we love watching the birds!
Post a Comment