Nature Happenings

• Project FeederWatch continues, www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw
• Christmas Bird Count is this month, https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count
• Rufous Hummers have migrated South, Anna's Hummers stay all winter. Keep your hummingbird feeders clean, filled and thawed.
• Sharp-shinned Hawks visit bird feeders until February.
• Many raptors overwinter in the area. Look for Rough-legged Hawks and Bald Eagles along the rivers and fields.
• Rather than search for worms in the frozen soil, large winter flocks of robins will visit fruit trees for food.
• Cedar Waxwings will visit yards in search of fruit, often staying for hours before moving on.
• In preparation of the earliest nesting period of any bird (late-January through February), Great Horned Owls can be heard hooting at night in courtship.
• The rainy season has begun. Protect your seed and feeders with weather domes and Feeder Fresh.
• Put out suet and Bark Butter for energetic flocks of Bushtits
• Varied Thrush and Red-Breasted Sapsuckers travel down to lowland feeders.
• Pine Siskin flocks may arrive now through January - have Nyjer® (thistle) ready.
• Keep an open source of water for the birds with a bird bath and heater.
• The smaller the bird, the earlier its hunt for food in the winter darkness.  Juncos will hunt for fallen seed, often before dawn.
• Largest congregation of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states can be viewed along the upper Skagit River through January feeding on spawned-out salmon.
• Decorate a tree for the birds. Pick a tree in the yard and decorate with edible ornaments for your feathered friends.
• Now through late March is a difficult time for birds; providing food and an open source of water is important.
• Winter is a great time to look for birds' nests. Admire the craftsmanship, but leave the nest in place.
• Geminid Meteor Shower is mid-month.