Dear Kid,
In other backyard news, I have completed the Great Birdfeeder Experiment.
I am a terrible hostess in that I don’t keep the birdfeeders full during the winter. Mostly because it’s COLD out there and I believe the birds should be in Florida or someplace with indoor heating.
Related Articles
It’s not that I’m lazy-ha! I laugh at lazy. I just like being warm more than I like being, well, cold.
And as your father decided a long time ago that the birdfeeders were my responsibility (and as the Puppy is far too short to be of help filling them) they go unfilled during the cold. And the rain. And other unpleasant weather conditions.
Yesterday I finally filled them up.
That was not the experiment.
The experiment was waiting to see how long it would take anyone (and by “anyone” I mean wildlife) to recognize that the buffet was once again fully stocked.
The squirrels barely waited until I’d walked away to start scavenging. (I’m not the world’s neatest birdfeeder-filler so there was plenty for them to enjoy.)
The rabbit hopped right by. Apparently “birdseed” is not on the rabbit menu.
I thought a cardinal would be the first one to nibble. I thought this because it sat, staring at the birdfeeder for a long, red moment. Eventually he flew off, sans seed.
About an hour after filling, a mourning dove tucked in for some grub.
Was the experiment a success? Absolutely. I watched from inside (while drinking a Diet Coke) as birds and squirrels amused me.
