We keep a heated dog water bowl on our patio wall during freezing weather. This morning I saw a Pine Warbler, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pine Siskin and White-throated Sparrow taking turns. The snow brought out 17-18 male Cardinals (it always does) plus scads of white-throats, Chipping Sparrows, a Hermit Thrush, a few Juncos, the mandatory House Finches, White-breasted Nuthatches, a female Purple Finch, a Brown Thrasher, and Blue Jays.
Our little female/immature plumaged Northern Parula made it through the “blizzard*” last night and continues to take hits from the hummingbird feeders, popping in every 20 minutes or so. I believe that this is currently the northernmost NOPA in the world right now** 😊
*blizzard = 2 inches of snow
**I assume there are unknown numbers of NOPAs somewhere north of here, but this is the farthest north that has been reported this week. There was a bird in Toronto (!) in early January, and one on Bermuda (south of here by a bit, but still cool) earlier in the month, as well a two in Virigina, but nothing else since about the 12th.
The birds really appreciate fresh water (sugared or not) right now. Even if you don’t sport hummingbird feeders, while temps are below zero, consider offering a bowl of water for the feathered friends. With other sources of water potentially frozen, this liquid water is often appreciated, and we’ve had a steady parade of birds on the water bowls today.
