Downtown Boise, Idaho, on May 5, 2021. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)
I’ve been a birder for quite a while, but recently local birds have been my primary entertainment. Watching them means I have slowed down enough to be appreciative.
It wasn’t a voluntary slowdown; knee surgery has sidelined me for a bit. Yes, TV could have been my viewing of more choice, but for the first few days I couldn’t stay awake long enough to follow a program.
So, birds – juncos, sparrows, Northern flickers, siskins, chickadees and finches, among others – have been my primary viewing. What birds can teach us if we slow down enough is amazing.
We have two types of bird feeders, three hanging and one suet, plus my husband has set out areas where he puts feed on the deck for the birds who do not use feeders. It is always interesting to see the big flickers swoop in and command the suet while the little juncos hop along the boards for seed.
Usually, there is not a lot of sharing. Groups of birds come in as a flock to feed, then they leave, and another group comes in. But occasionally a mix of sparrows, juncos and finches will share the space and feeders.