I am fortunate to live on a farm property a little north of Alliston, where there is a mix of open land, a stand of mature conifers, smaller trees and bushes. It is a wonderful bird habitat. It is also a wonderful person habitat.
As a writer, I work from home at all times, and not just right now as many people are doing. I am used to standing at a window watching the birds, something that is being recommended as a good means to strengthen mental health. I find it also gives me a chance to reflect on what I am writing.
Bird behaviour fascinates me. There can be life lessons reflected through them. It occurs to me I may be a bit obsessive. I often interrupt any visitor, or person on the phone, talking to me to comment on an unusual bird, bird behaviour, or collection of birds on the property that appear mid-conversation. I am taken with the variety on a given day, at any given moment.
I have a bit of blind for taking photos through my kitchen window. Birds that are fairly constant such as chickadees and goldfinches don’t pay much attention to me as I approach the window. I always have the camera ready. Returning birds, and it seems larger birds such as Blue Jays, are more camera shy.
The past few weeks have brought an exciting mix of birds returning to the north, some are just passing through, and others will stay for the summer.
Along with the striking Rose-breasted Grosbeak, the end of this past week brought some that eclipse the others in visual impact – Baltimore Orioles. The deep orange of the male is almost shocking yet so welcome.
This spring is challenging for a number of reasons, including the lack of colour in the landscape due to persistent cold temperatures. The orioles certainly dress things up and add zing. Their songs coming from on high fill the air with happy notes. Both the male and female sing, and this is not the case with all songbirds. They can chatter and make something of a fuss if they feel threatened.
I offer oranges or nectarines cut in half on a table or other surface to the orioles. There aren’t any cats around, so it’s safe here to do that. In addition, I put orange halves back to back in a cleaned suet holder, as I don’t have official oriole feeders. They like red grapes too that I leave out for them in a similar way, but without slicing.
A side note: Anyone who feeds birds knows the challenge of educating squirrels and chipmunks to respect boundaries. This week I discovered besides birdseed, they both eat oranges and grapes. As the weeks go along, I will share some of my experiences of bird visitors with readers. In the meantime, keep your eye to the sky and look for birds that may come by.
Rosaleen Egan is a freelance journalist, a storyteller, and a playwright. She blogs on her website rosiewrites.com
