Winter backyard birds can be intense. Food sources can be limited so winter bird feeders can be very busy.
The most active and interesting days are often not the bright beautiful sunny days but stormy days. This is when birds are eager to eat as much as they can to keep energy levels high. Yesterday’s winter storm brought us just such a day with really interesting feathered visitors and activity, so I have pictures and stories to share with you.
There is something very special about watching a new day begin with the birds. From quiet darkness, to the first early chirps, to the first few winged visitors, building to the busy activity of dozens, local birds are a big part of the start of each new day. If you pay attention, you are likely to see patterns in bird activity in your yard. Every yard is different and every day is different, but this is the pattern I see on a typical winter morning in my yard.
Male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, a First Time Visitor in the Yard
Today is cool, grey and damp here in Maryland. It’s not the kind of spring day where you wake up with an overwhelming desire to spend the day outdoors. In fact, staying inside wrapped in something warm is appealing. But often grey wet days can be the most interesting bird watching days in the backyard.
