For the birds

Female redpoll

The Polar Vortex has returned with a vengeance. These days when we say the temperature will “warm up” to -20C overnight I think it’s supposed to be a slight reassurance that maybe the car will start tomorrow without needing to plug it in. If you don’t know what a block heater is, then consider yourself lucky. My car normally doesn’t need to be plugged in when the temperature is “warmer” than -25C. Our small truck that doesn’t have a block heater has had some issues this winter, though.

Up here in the Great White North if we don’t plug our vehicles in when the mercury plummets into the -20s, -30s, -40s and -50s (a new record was set in December), then we’re not going anywhere until the temperature “warms up”. We’ve had a few days like that in December and January. In the boonies, when the vehicles won’t start, there is no Plan B; we simply stay home. All the more reason to ensure we’re well stocked with food and supplies.

I haven’t seen any White-tailed deer around for nearly two weeks. Even the does I’ve dubbed “the three amigas” haven’t made an appearance; there are no hoof prints anywhere. It’s a miracle that any animal can survive these inhospitable conditions.

Male (red)  and female Grosbeak

I’ve been concerned about the wild birds; how can they possibly survive this Arctic-like climate? Normally at this time of year, I’m sitting on a bench bundled up in layers of warm clothing taking pictures of them at the feeders. But, it’s been too darned cold to stay outside for more than 10 minutes unless I’m hauling wood or snow shoveling (the snow blower has gone on strike).

Hoping that the temperatures would improve soon, I made some birdseed cakes, filled the feeders with nyjer seed (for the finches and other small song birds), leftover stale whole wheat bread and black oil sunflower seeds. The black oil seeds have soft shells that are easy for birds to open and the seeds give the birds much-needed energy, especially at this time of year.
 

Chickadees love sunflower seeds.

It didn’t take long for the chickadees to hone in on the tasty treats, followed by grosbeaks, woodpeckers, redpolls, blue jays and gray jays. I haven’t seen any finches or nut hatches yet. I look forward to checking out the feeders daily and hanging out with the birds.

Sometimes on a “warmer” day, I can hand-feed the chickadees and nuthatches. Four blue jays are out there now making a ruckus.

I guess that’s my cue to bring out more sunflower seeds. They’ve trained me very well!