CLIMBER'S RUN BIRD FEEDERS

      Climber's Run Nature Center, owned by the Lancaster County Conservancy in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is nestled in a mix of habitats, including the stream, Climber's Run, and second-growth, deciduous woods and overgrown fields and meadows, all bordering that clear-running stream.  That variety of habitats, surrounded by cropland, creates several niches that wildlife use the year around.  

     The Conservancy has a cluster of bird feeders erected along that stream in bottomland woods during the winter of 2022-23.  The attractive and interesting birds coming to those feeders can be enjoyed, day and night, either in person, or on computer screens because of a live camera focused on the feeders.

     Currently there is, almost always during the day, much bird activity at those feeders.  All the pretty birds coming to those feeders are adaptable, common, alert and quick, making much entertainment.  

     Because the feeders are in a woodland, six kinds of striking woodpeckers, including downies, hairies, red-bellies, pileateds, northern flickers and yellow-bellied sapsuckers come to those feeders in winter, mostly to consume suet.  And each kind, except the sapsuckers, are permanent residents in Lancaster County.  Sapsuckers are here only in winter.  

     Being related, woodpeckers have traits in common, including stiff tail feathers to hold them upright on tree trunks, two toes in front of each foot and two in back to better grip tree bark, sharp beaks and long, sticky tongues they use to snare invertebrates in those creatures' tunnels. 

     Woodpeckers all chip into trees to get invertebrate food, and make nurseries to raise young.  And when the feathered creators of those cradles abandon them, other kinds of birds move into those cavities to live and rear youngsters.

     Two types of woodpeckers each have a different way of getting some of their food.  Flickers probe their long tongues into ant hills in the soil.  And sapsuckers punch holes in young, soft bark to sip the sap that dribbles out.

     Handsome and  sprightly Carolina chickadees, tufted titmice, white-breasted nuthatches and eastern bluebirds come to Climber's Run feeders through winter.  All these lovely, little birds nest in tree hollows, including woodpecker holes.  And all but bluebirds hatch chicks in woods.  Bluebirds raise offspring in tree hollows in weedy fields and hedgerows. 

     Mourning doves, northern cardinals, song sparrows, American goldfinches, house finches and white-throated sparrows are weed and grass seed eaters.  These pretty birds, too, regularly come to the feeders to eat seeds and grain.  And all these seed-eaters are permanent residents in this county, except the white-throats, which nest farther north.     

     A couple each of Carolina wrens, northern mockingbirds and eastern bluebirds come to the Conservancy's feeders to eat seeds and suet.  It seems these are relatively new species to bird feeders.

     Though not a natural way for birds to get food, many people enjoy feeding birds.  Those folks like seeing that beautiful wildlife closeup, as I do.  Feeders should be placed near shrubbery or young trees, as the Conservancy has done, to shelter feathered patrons from cold wind and predators.  And feeding birds should be temporarily stopped if predators or disease are noticed among the birds.  

     The Conservancy is doing a good job in feeding birds.  Feeders are sheltered by trees and other vegetation, and the feeders are regularly filled with good food items.  The result is lots of lovely birds coming to those feeders.      

         

     

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