Today is one of those days Canada is famous for.
During the ‘warmest’ part of the day, the temperature here in Calgary was -28C, which equates to -18F. There is not the tiniest breath of wind, and a light snow has been coming down intermittently throughout the day.
Yesterday evening when it was time to walk the dog, the temperature with the wind chill was -37C (-35F). Needless to say, no walk was taken – she had a very quick visit to the back yard instead.
With numerous bird feeders in the yard, we have been refilling twice a day. We have two large feeders that hold 6 pounds of seed, which the house sparrows and house finches are emptying in a day.
Somehow our hardy winter residents manage to survive our climate. We have a resident flicker in the front yard who spends a great deal of time ‘flicking’ the seeds out of the feeder and on to the ground. Our fluffed-up downy woodpeckers, red-breasted nuthatches and black-capped chickadees are always at the feeders.
This year however, we have an added complication. Three mourning doves decided not to migrate south in September, and they are turning my day inside out. I’m sweeping the ground where they like to feed several times a day, to get rid of all the snow. I’m putting out a huge variety of seeds and grains twice a day – there is no doubt enough food out there for 100 doves, but I still keep putting more out.
We hung up a brood lamp bulb to give them some heat over their feeding station. Yesterday evening they sat near it until almost full darkness, before flying away to roost somewhere.
These birds are controlling my day. If I’m not sweeping snow from their feeding area, I’m mixing food or putting more food outside. I have to keep popping over to the window to see if the doves are still feeding, which does not make for the most productive of work days.
At this point I’m torn between wanting to see them, and not wanting to see them so I can get my life back.
Because we have an equal opportunity yard, we also feed the squirrels. You would think the fact that they have fur instead of feathers would be to their advantage, but I can see them shiver from inside the house.
When I saw this little guy, I seriously considered closing the drapes so I could work on the out of site out of mind option. But then I wouldn’t be able to see those damn doves…
How many days until spring again?
That squirrel sure looks miserable!
That poor squirrel! Speaking of birds deciding to over winter, I just saw a robin today. I’m in NYC, it’s December and we’re having a snow storm. I hope that lil’ guy is ok!
That little critter sure does look cold haha. Poor thing, good on you about keeping feed out though, I can’t believe you fill that thing twice a day. I pretty much stick to hummingbird feeders myself, but I do buy a lot of nectar and other bird products throughout the year. Not sure where you shop but I would definitely recommend http://www.birdfeeders.com, they’ve got everything and I do mean everything! Thanks for the post, I think I’m going to make that squirrel my computer wallpaper for a while!
Wow it is indeed cold out your way. I thought it was chilly when visiting Spokane, WA this week but not even close. That squirrel needs an electric blanket! I don’t blame you for wanting to close the drapes.
Setting up the heat lamp for the doves is definitely good wildlife karma for you.
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