Today is Spring Equinox for those of us in the northern hemisphere, the day from when the sun will continue to follow higher and higher path through the sky until it reaches the highest point in the sky on the summer solstice; the days will get longer, heralding the arrival of new growth, warmer days, frenzy activities in gardens and farms, and birth of newer generations in animal worlds.
Okay, that's supposedly should be happening theoretically, but not yet happening, in reality, here in the North-East USA. It's frigid cold with frozen solid grounds and forecast of more snow coming in. The only sign of spring is the loud cacophony created by birds, and the presence of American Robin and mourning dove hopping along the lawns and backyards. There are also more eating-activities in the bird-feeders. So, I take this opportunity to present some birds in our backyard. More will be presented later on.
I am not very good in recognizing birds. So, others please help. I think these are downy woodpecker, mourning dove and sparrow. There are so many sparrows. Which one is this?
A nuthatch; a chickadee; a junco. Juncos are still here; thus, winter is not yet away. These birds migrate here in NJ during winter and leave with the arrival of Spring. Sorry about the poor image quality. I have to take them with the windows down, otherwise the birds were going to fly away. These bird feeders are very close to the window. Any slight noise or movement near the window, and away they will go.
A red-headed woodpecker. Who Is This? I don't know the second bird. Is this a sterling? The third bird, one of my favorite, is the red-bellied woodpecker
Now, I have a question. Perhaps Jason of
Gardencity can answer as he reads many books on birds. I feed all these birds the typical bird mix (peanuts, sunflower, corn and berries) and suet.
Are these foods with lots of corn good for birds? Most of the corn in the world are not GMO-types. We are constantly reading about how GMO-types affect mammals, especially in reproduction. Do any of you know about any studies that are being done to see the effect of all these food on bird-population? If they are bad, what do I feed the birds?
Are these foods with lots of corn good for birds? Most of the corn in the world are not GMO-types. We are constantly reading about how GMO-types affect mammals, especially in reproduction. Do any of you know about any studies that are being done to see the effect of all these food on bird-population? If they are bad, what do I feed the birds?
