Winter Weather Means Bird Feeding Time

The weather is starting to turn cold, skies are gray and we’re finding ourselves looking for a warm fire and a good meal. There’s nothing like settling down in front of the fireplace in a favorite recliner with a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate to take the edge off the weather.

While you’re sitting in that recliner by the fire, take a peek outside towards your back yard. Chances are, you’ll see a kaleidoscope of flitting color as songbirds scratch and hurry about looking for something to sustain them during this cold weather. Birds are adaptable little creatures. They can usually scratch out enough bugs and seeds to keep their little heaters going. However, when there is snow or ice on the ground, or when it’s extremely cold, grubbing out a meal can be quite a task.

If you do not regularly feed birds in winter, this would be a good time for you to consider starting it. All I have to do to know that this is a welcomed practice is to glance outside my office window to the feeders I keep filled. The colder it gets, the more birds flock to it and demonstrate just how thankful they are to be fed.

This time of year, I can count several species of birds that I can identify that help themselves to the black oil sunflower seed and bird seed mix I put out for them. The most obvious ones are those with the most color. Male Cardinals, in brilliant red plumage, for instance, are easiest to spot. Some years, the cardinals stay in the woods until late winter because of an abundance of wild food but in other years, they can be all over my feeders.

I asked someone once what species of birds they had visiting their feeders and the answer was not unexpected….”Lots of brown ones”, was the reply.

Most of the birds that visit my feeder are “brown” ones, but they are of several species. For example, I see several species of sparrows with the chipping sparrow being the most predominant. There are white-throated sparrows, and when the weather gets real cold, sometimes fox sparrows visit.

Among the “brown” birds on my feeders now are birds that won’t be brown once springtime arrives. Goldfinches are rather drab in appearance this time of year but once they get ready to head for northern breeding grounds, their brilliant yellow color will catch your eye.

Another small dark colored bird around the feeder is one I knew as “snow bird” when I was a youngster. I know them today as juncos with black backs and bibs and white underparts.

I see chickadees, titmice, mourning doves and an occasional nuthatch. Red bellied woodpeckers and downy woodpeckers visit along with the ever-present and loud-mouthed blue jays.

One species of bird I’ll be looking for if we get snow is the rufous-sided towhee, a bird I’ve seen a lot of in winter but not in my yard. While sitting on deer stands near dense thickets, these shy black, white and chestnut-colored birds often flit in and out of the foliage.

Setting up feeding stations is an easy task. The most obvious method is to use commercial bird feeders. However, most types are not protected from the invasion of squirrels. I purchased a “squirrel proof” feeder that features a slender rod that goes in the ground but the kicker is a length of limber metal pipe sort of like a stove pipe.

Squirrels can climb the rod but can’t handle the stove pipe to reach the bird seed.
I also have a feeder with a video camera that both birds and I love because they can feed in peace not knowing or caring that I have their close-up images to enjoy.

In return for taking care of the birds that visit your yard, you’ll be rewarded with flitting dashes of color and activity. To add an extra measure of enjoyment to feeding birds, purchase a bird book and keep a listing of how many species of birds visit your yard. You might be pleasantly surprised at the popularity of your yard.

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – Crappie fishing has been good with some slabs caught fishing shiners or jigs around the deeper tops. Bass are best fishing topwater lures and buzz baits early around the grass lines. Bass fishing has been best fishing secondary points on soft plastics and crank baits. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BLACK BAYOU – No report. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Bass fishing is best flipping soft plastics along the wind rows and tree lines. With water temperatures falling, best to slow down retrieve . Some nice sized crappie are hitting shiners and jigs around deep brush along the flats. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The river is still low. Very few are trying the fish so reports this week are spotty. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – The lake is down 5 feet with drawdown continued another 15 days or so. Crappie are starting to bunch up and cold weather should put them in bunches. Some are caught along the stump lines on shiners and jigs. Bass fishing has been best fishing the points with soft plastics or crank baits. Bream are slow; catfishing good off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has been good with some slabs caught fishing shiners or jigs around the deep tops. With the water cooling down, bass will be best fishing the docks with Carolina rigs, square bill crank baits and Shaky Heads. Bream are slow. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Crappie have improved on both ends of the lake. Catfishing is good. No report on Bass. For information, contact the marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is on a slow fall and fishing has been slow this week except for commercial fishermen who are catching lots of carp, buffalo and catfish in their nets. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.