Monday, January 9, 2017

For the Birds


Here in my neighborhood, we get rid of our Christmas trees on the street, and the borough guys collect them to chip into mulch. For several reasons we didn't put up a tree this year, but I was thrilled to see that at least two of my neighbors had, and that they had also taken them down for disposal just when I wanted them.

I have lots of bird feeders and love to watch the birds that frequent them, but two of the feeders don't have much nearby cover which the birds really want. When I take down our old Christmas tree I usually lean it against our small pear tree for the winter, and it seems to be one of the birds' favorite feeding and hiding places. With no tree of our own this year, I resorted to stealing my neighbors' trees, especially when I heard snow was in the forecast.



My thievery turned out to be serendipity at its finest, with the smaller tree fitting perfectly in my usual place next to the pear tree, and the larger tree placed right next to the the feeder in a maple tree. It seems my next-door neighbor even unknowingly helped me out by placing a zip tie at the top of their tree which I can use to tie it to the maple tree so it won't blow over in the wintry winds.


You can't see it clearly in the photos, but the birds seem quite happy with their new trees. There have been plenty of chickadees, juncos, and doves, along with lots of rabbit and deer tracks. Feeling generous, I even spread some peanut butter on pine cones and placed them in the middle of the trees for special treats.



The woodpeckers only want their suet cake, so I've also supplied them with their favorite tidbit. I enjoy my favorite soups, stews, and breads in the winter, and it makes me quite happy to provide the birds with their favorites along with protected (purloined) places to safely enjoy them.

11 comments:

  1. Great idea! When Hannah was small we used to decorate our tree for the birds after we discarded it but I haven't done that in ages.

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  2. Oh my - what serendipity - for you and the birds! (and I laughed out loud picturing you sneaking up to your neighbors' curb ... to steal the trees - picturing you in the dark, dressed all in black ;-)

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  3. oh how I wish wish wish I could feed the birds! we have bears (yes bears!!) and they do so much damage to the property when they find birdseed. They broke our fence and sand mound pipes....years and years ago. So now I just watch the birds in nature...

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  4. I'm really lucky to have lots of cover already for the birds near my feeders . . . but, boy! If I didn't? I'd be out there just like you . . . stealing my neighbors' used Christmas trees! What a fabulous plan -- and perfect opportunity. (Did your neighbors notice???)

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  5. You are brilliant! I would have loved to have watched the whole taking process! :-)

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  6. I love feeding the birds - and by extension, the squirrels. I don't want them to starve either, truth be known. That's a great idea to use the discarded trees! We have a huge holly tree next to our feeder, and the birds love to be there. The suet holder is right near a yew bush, so that works out well too.

    It cheers me to see the birds, and I LOVE it when a couple of cardinals show up!

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  7. What a great idea! I can just imagine you sneaking up the street to grab the discarded Christmas tree! I enjoy feeding the birds (squirrels too!) and am lucky to have a few trees and shrubs near my feeders.

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  8. Fantastic ingenuity and the perfect recycle of a Christmas tree! But, I really love your suet feeder on the porch! That is a great idea which I shall copy as I have a suet feeder that they don't use (because I don't think it hangs high enough). Bonus in that I will be able to see them feeding from my kitchen window! Thank you!

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  9. I can see the headline now! Bonny Caught Purloining Trees! How wonderful you knew exactly what to do with your recycling finds. The birds must be so pleased to have a safe winter hideaway.

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  10. What a great idea! When our son was little we decorated a tree on our property with cranberries and popcorn for the birds, but they ignored it all! I think I'll try the peanut butter on pinecones idea, we've got plenty of cones. Always fun to watch them feeding, isn't it?

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  11. Stealing Christmas trees!! I love it... but probably not as much as the birds do!! <3

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