Beginning Bird Watching in Winter

image via Wikipedia

Observing how birds adjust to extreme atmospheric conditions of the winter weather in their natural habitats makes winter season an excellent backdrop for all bird watchers who look for birds in sheltering forests and protected ecological niches. Ruffed Grouse normally immerse deep into snow banks, where they find protection from the cold and wind. House Sparrows are found flocked together under eaves or in the corners of barns, homes,  and other buildings. Vesper Sparrows, Lark Buntings, and Dickcissels also seek similar winter shelters.

Suggested Birdwatching Activities in January

Begin by writing on your journal what you observe about the bird  behavior on your feeder. As the year progresses you will notice variations not only in the species of birds you see but also in behavior and feathers. On the coming year, as the cycle restarts, you will be able to make a comparison about what you observed then comparing the present notes. You could start out your observations by taking note of the food each specie favors and then the ways that the species feed. Which species feed at your tray individually at one time? Which species don't share with others or hog the tray? Which feed together at once? You'd remark that a few species are spunkier than others, nipping a morsel despite the presence of a larger or sinister bird.

by: Tip Writer

Bird Watching Tips for Winter Season

A bounty of birds is commonly associated with springtime and summer, but in paradox, the repulsing snow and falling temperatures in wintertime could also give you a highly productive bird watching experience. Tree branches are exposed, and fields, marshes, and swamps unfold for excellent viewing, so bird watchers could delight in one of the best bird watching seasons of the year. The fun is further heightened because a lot of uncommon species from way up north may be seeking a more comfortable life in less cruel surroundings in winter.

Due to more the critical situation of food availability for bird survival when the temperature drops, winter bird feeders attract strange birds from time to time, which overcome their fear of entering a house and garden to hunt for food. For example, even if flowers and insects are absent, hummingbirds can bear freezing temperatures as long as they can get food; and birds that delight in southern climates would come up north due to a surplus of food supplies by feeders.  Some feeders volunteer over an entire winter season up north of its usual range, and others still feed long after other species already left the area. Yearly, more people bring out food for birds, so in various areas an increasing number of birds are making their initial appearances at feeders, among them Gray Catbirds,  Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Rock and other wrens, Verdins, varied Thrushes, Phainopeplas, Bronzed Cow-birds, Lark Buntings, Song Sparrows, and Chipping Sparrows.

Read more:
Suggested Birdwatching Activities in January

© 2012 Tip Writer