I have a confession to make:
I am a Bird Nerd.
My affinity for these beautiful winged critters started with hummingbirds. I was in my garden one sunny afternoon, when I saw a hummingbird zip past me and visit each of my zinnias. It was such a sight to see! Sure, I had seen hummingbirds many times before, but it had never occurred to me that they might actually like to visit my garden. The next day, I bought my first hummingbird feeder, planted more zinnias and morning glories, and bought a little pineapple sage plant. I had resolved to not only garden for myself, but for the hummingbirds as well! From that day on, I saw plenty more of these beautiful birds and I was thrilled to share my garden with them. And of course, the more I saw, the more I loved them. I started putting up additional feeders around the house and planting more “hummingbird friendly” plants. During a summer golden hour, it was pure bliss to sit in my garden with an iced mint tea, and just watch them zipping around, catching little fleas in mid air, and licking nectar from flowers and feeders, only stopping occasionally to perch atop a tomato cage or bathe in the water flowing out of my hose and into a furrow.
And then came the day that I decided to plant a whole row of sunflowers—tall ones. After they had their glory days and went to seed, the cutest little yellow tweety-birds would descend in on them and hop from head to head, eating seeds. Occasionally a pair mourning doves with rings of baby blue around their eyes would come and peck at the seeds that had fallen to the ground, or a blue jay would swoop in a grab a rogue caterpillar or grasshopper from the underside of one of the giant leaves. In the middle of suburbia, I realized that had created an incredible retreat, teeming with life.
Come autumn that year, for the first time ever, my seedlings fell victim to western scrub jay thievery. I kept spotting the guilty parties, baby lettuce or pea shoot in beak. After hanging some shiny CDs to no avail, I decided to distract the birds with some birdseed instead. And it worked like a charm. (Not to mention, it was a lot easier than row covers!) Birds are all fun and games until they take off with your garden-grown goodies!
Despite occasional bouts of mischief, I appreciate my backyard birds and garden visitors (unless they are cats). I love the show they put on and the songs they sing. Watching them work can provide hours of entertainment.
This year, my gift to the birds is this festively-decorated Alberta pine tree. I made edible garlands of peanuts and cranberries with a large bore needle and fishing line, and birdseed ornaments with a mixture of bird seeds and gelatin. I also dried apples and made a few sunflower seed suet disks. All very simple, yet bird-friendly treats.
May they enjoy this little tree of offering to them. I hope to continue living in harmony with them for years to come.
Merry Christmas, little birdies!
