We are having a lovely winter week of mild temperatures and cloudy but dry days. I understand that last week was quite stormy but I was off in the land of whales and turtles and missed that excitement. This time of year I begin to think of birds, nests and when our feathery friends might be returning to entertain us. I know there are many others here in Stillwaters Estates that are thinking the same and so this week I have done a little research on bird houses, bird watching and bird feeding.
This is the right time of year to be thinking of putting up bird boxes for our visitors. Putting them up by February is still early enough to catch the initial scouting for nesting spots by those birds who like bird boxes. Go to www.allaboutbirds.org for great information on building, placing and or taking care of bird boxes. Once you are on this website, click on “Bird Basics” and then click on “Attract Birds”.
For bird watching, there is a great website you can set as a favorite: www.allaboutbirds.org. The “Cornell Feeder Watch” site found on the allaboutbirds.org site was very active this morning!
The other item I wanted to mention is about the annual Great Backyard Bird Count. It happens the week of February 14th through the 17th and anyone can participate. The main website is http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc with specifics on participating are at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/press/news-stories/2014-gbbc-news-release. The basic idea is that you watch birds at one or more locations for at least 15 minutes, one or more days that week. Then you go online and submit your results. It is fun to think that you are contributing to science in this little way!
Whatever the fascination, it’s not to early to get your bird watching, feeding, nesting plans underway.
Quote of the week:
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. – Chinese Proverb
Happenings this week:
Saturday, January 18th: Baked Potato Bar Fundraiser from 11:30am-2:30pm at the Adna Grange on Dieckman Road in Adna. Enjoy a delicious baked potato with all the fixings, plus a green salad, drink and dessert all for $6 for adults and $5 for children 10 & under. Proceeds will fund a new roof which was damaged by heavy rain. For more information, call 360-740-1950.
Thursday, January 23rd: First Stillwaters potluck of the year! Dinner starts promptly at 6:00 p.m.
Weather: Our current weather is projected to continue into next week. The weather site “Wunderground” says highs in the low 50’s during the day and lows at night down into the 30’s. Enjoy these mild winter days!
