Cover Photo Credit: Jennifer Ostrander
BY: RACHEL WUMKES
With the recent barrage of snow over the weekend, it’s hard to grasp the fact that Spring is just around the corner. Part of me doesn’t want to bring it up in fear I’ll jinx it and we will get more snow dumped on us.
Yet, a small part of me is bursting at the seams with excitement.
When I think of Spring, not only does green grass and buds on the trees come to mind, but the return of our many native birds.
During the winter months, we actually keep many songbirds in this area: Northern Cardinals, Black-capped Chickadees, House Finches, Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatches and even Goldfinches stay around (they molt in the fall and turn an olive brownish color).
Black Capped Chickadee – Photocredit: Jennifer Ostrander Male House Finch – Photocredit: Jennifer Ostrander
These birds tough out the harsh Iowa winters, braving the elements by scouring for food and finding warmth wherever they possibly can. In fact, we even get new birds in the winter we don’t see during the summer. Dark-eyed Juncos are the most recognizable of them. We also may see Red-breasted Nuthatches, Purple Finches, Pine Siskins, and Common Redpolls. These are irruptive species, not seen every year. Some years we get a lot of them and some years we don’t see very many of them.
Can you believe some of these birds “fly south” which means they stop in Iowa for the winter?
It seems crazy to me!
Thankfully, the Basic Birder has opened a store in Clear Lake to help with all your bird watching and feeding needs. They have a wide variety of birdfeeders in all price ranges. They also carry quality, fresh seed blended specifically for the birds in our area, without filler seeds the birds pick around and refuse to eat. For the cold winter months, when the food source is scarce, suet is important for the birds. Some birds may migrate back to the area early, before there are bugs to eat, so feeding suet is a good way to help them.
Many people choose to fill their birdfeeders with Finch Mix as that particular food will attract Nuthatches, Chickadees and even little Downy Woodpeckers, along with the winter finches.
You can also pick up a beginner book for bird identification, as well as advanced field guides. The staff at the Basic Birder is there to answer questions and guide you to whatever is appropriate for your situation. And always, in any season, a birdbath is a wonderful addition to any backyard.
This is the first Spring season The Basic Birder has been open in Clear Lake, and they are excited to help the community feed the thousands of birds in the area. It won’t be long before the first Robin will be spotted for the season, marking the “official” return of Spring. Once they return, it’s not long before the Hummingbirds, Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, and many other beautiful birds follow!
White Breasted Nuthatch – Photocredit: Jennifer Ostrander
If you are interested in learning more about bird watching or are looking to feed the birds in your own backyard, now is the perfect time to pop into The Basic Birder and browse their selection. They will host a customer appreciation sale February 27th through March 6th and will have 20% off everything inside the store!
For more information, be sure to follow The Basic Birder on Facebook.