OhWhatAWednesday – Gimme Shelter

Could this be the only kind of bird in my Chicagoland garden this winter?

Throughout the year, our yard is usually a haven for birds. I know they need food, shelter, and water if they are going to grace my yard. What they seem to need this year, is….. someplace else!

We do have a finch feeder under the pines that is getting some activity. It is away from the other feeders, in a safer place to keep those big bad birdies from bothering the itty bitty birdies. But the suet feeder on the deck and the two feeders by the window haven’t needed a refill for a really long time. Perhaps the birds are finding other food in the yard. There are other opportunites for them there as we cut down very little in the fall, preferring to leave the feast.

If the birds are unobtrusively hanging around our yard, they could probably use a bath as well. I know this because they haven’t been bothering to bathe in our birdbath. Fancy that, a heated birdbath and no takers. Don’t they know the water is there to quench their thirst and keep their feathers clean? How are they going to stay healthy and fly well if they are dirty?

I’m going to have to go with the problem being shelter. We want the feeders close to the house. Yes, I know that is selfish. It is still true. And it hasn’t been a problem in the past.


I posted my dilemna in the About.com Gardening forum. Scotty Blue replied, and I read the link he posted about attracting birds. Scotty suggested placing your Christmas tree in the yard. Mike tied ours right to the bird feeder post yesterday.

I’m sure to sneak out of the computer room repeatedly today in hopes of welcoming them back. Wish me luck!

“Be like the bird that, passing on her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings.”
Victor Hugo

This is an installment in the OhWhatAWednesday series, where I dare to take on the task of finding something in my garden that looks good during a Chicago winter. Even if its a cast iron bird on the post.

4 comments to OhWhatAWednesday – Gimme Shelter

  • Hi Carol

    I’m still not seeing any birds.I’m at a loss but I’m sure they’re out there somewhere.

    In the mean time,the squirrel’s are enjoying my Christmas tree I put out back for the birds:)

    That is strange that they are not getting into your heated birdbath.I sure would.Perhaps a bar and hot tub are in order:)

    Happy Gardening
    Scotty

  • Carol, you’ve piqued my interest. We had a similar question this summer about the lack of swallowtail butterflies. I’m seeing a fair amount of birds at my feeder, but not what I’m used to. I’m going to use your post for my Question of the Week, this Wednesday, if you don’t mind. I’m curious if all the birds got smart and moved south.

  • […] to be so few birds at the feeders this winter. The question was raised in the forum by Carol, from Oh What a Beautiful Garden – Chicagoland. Carol later noticed a cooper hawk on her property, which could easily be the reason smaller birds […]

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