The cute English Robin (a chat) is a different species from the familiar American Robin (a thrush.) Our robins only eat berries and insects, although they check around underneath seed feeders for hatched critters, if you're a messy keeper.
We go for months without seeing a single robin, then suddenly the yard is full of them. Nothing lifts the heart in early spring like busy, fat robins. Our garden is always messy and especially now, with decaying leaf mulch, perfect for scrounging worms.
The sunflower seed bird feeder (or welfare station, as John calls it) was up through the cold months. Sadly, as urban habitat disappears in Seattle, the variety of birds has at feeders has dwindled down to mostly finches, juncos, and chickadees. Even the once pesky house sparrows are gone. Still, I'm grateful for what we get and enjoy seeing them gorge themselves for a few months in the winter. I figure they can fend for themselves in summer.
I was watching from the kitchen window the other day, and this slinky thing ran out from a hole in the old garage, grabbed a mouthful under the feeder, then ran back to "his" house. Nope, not a squirrel. I have no particular grudge against any of God's creatures, but don't care to live in proximity to rats (or snakes.) Anyway, Ratty spoiled the fun for everyone, and now the feeder is down for the year.
Guess what? It's raining in Seattle! No worries, we have a Symphony concert to look forward to on Sunday afternoon.
Have a good weekend, see you Monday.
No comments:
Post a Comment