Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Bird-chirping Weather by Christine DePetrillo

I recently read a meme that said, “Bird-chirping weather is my favorite weather.” I agree, and May has wonderful bird-chirping weather. I’ve been enjoying writing in The Outdoor Writing Office ever since I opened it back in April, but the bird chirping has only just reached full capacity this month.

I have two feeders in my backyard habitat, which has been specifically designed to attract birds (and butterflies). I frequently have visits from crows, blue jays, cardinals, robins, doves, finches, black-capped chickadees, warblers, sparrows, nuthatches, grackles, wrens, acorn woodpeckers, and my favorite guest, the northern flicker. I live for the moments when a sampling of all these birds are in the yard at the same time, singing their songs and enjoying the buffet I have put out for them.

We have a small, husband-made stream and pond in our yard too. 


Robins love to swim in it. They dunk themselves under the water, flap their wings, sending a spray all over their bodies, then fly up to our peach tree to preen. They don’t seem to mind that my German Shepherd is in the yard as well, watching their every move. He doesn’t seem to mind them either. They have an “understanding.”

The squirrels are not so lucky.

I like to think that birds are out there in the neighborhood telling other birds to stop by the DePetrillos for a bite to eat and a bath. As if I’m running a bird resort of sorts. I welcome them all and invite them to sing their songs for me. I usually listen to music when I write, but not when I’m outside.

When I’m outside, the birds provide the tunes and it’s perfect writing music. No words. All natural. Totally inspirational.

Learn to GARDEN FOR WILDLIFE HERE if you want to attract birds and other creatures to your yard.

Learn more about BIRDS HERE.

What’s your favorite bird? How would you describe the weather in May where you live?

Toodles,
Chris

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10 comments:

Leah St. James said...

Lovely, Chris! Bird-chirping weather is my favorite as well. You can always tell when a storm has pretty much passed when the birds start chatting again. Must be so fun to watch them!

Margo Hoornstra said...

We have bird feeders too. Front and back. We feed them year round. The squirrels and rabbits too. It's so interesting to watch them from inside when they don't know you're there. Next up is to figure out the butterfly thing. Nothing better than birds chirping in the early morning.

Vonnie Davis, Author said...

I love writing outside, too. Until hubs arrives with his coffee and radio, which of course drowns out the birdsong I so love. He doesn't get it because he's so deaf, he can't hear the birds or rain or other calming sounds of nature.

remullins said...

My favorite bird is, of course, the robin.
I can't betray my namesake bird by saying otherwise.

Brenda Whiteside said...

How nice. Love the idea of a bird resort. I'm inside at the moment but listening to a woodpecker and chirps and well as the call of a dove.

Jannine Gallant said...

The most prevalent bird in our area is the Steller Jay. I think your "blue" jays on the east coast are different. These guys are raucous, and they don't like Ginger. They scream at her at the top of their lungs when she's outside. Not exactly harmonious. LOL Then again, neither is she since she has to bark at every squirrel who dares to come near her yard. They, of course, have to chatter back from a safe position in a tree. Nature at its loudest.

Rolynn Anderson said...

I'm walking for 45 minutes every morning here in Kauai, and my big delight is the bird song...these tropical birds sing scales that are amazing. The Neene (geese) are everywhere and if I leave the lanai door open while I type, all kinds of birds venture into the room. I love the Hawaii bird with the neon red cap, white collar and gray body. What a cutie. And they all have loud calls...must be because they are happy to live in paradise!

Mackenzie Crowne said...

I love this, Chris. We get a lot of cactus wrens and hummers here in Phoenix, but last weekend I was at our compound in the mountains and the bird species there are a bit different and vast. We have a cardinal couple who stop by the feeders throughout the day along with quail, dove, orioles, Mexican Jays and so many different types of chickadees I don't know where to begin. A pair of ravens we call Heckle and Jeckle swing by hourly, and a falcon did a fly by as well. But, my favorite visitor this weekend was Rocky, the resident road runner. He raced right up to the deck, bobbed his head in greeting, and set off in search of lizards.

Christine DePetrillo said...

Funny how we all love birdsong. Must be a writer thing.

Diane Burton said...

Love the calls of the mourning doves. But my fav bird is the cardinal. Their bright red color make them so visual. Here in Mich. our weather is iffy. It's been raining for 5 days with a one-day break yesterday. Spring was here for a couple of days last week. Hope it comes back.