The way birds behave varies with the seasons. As the weather changes, our feathered friends switch up their routines. To delve deeper into this avian world, we spoke with Lisa to understand her observations and creative journey. Lisa confirmed that the birds indeed exhibit noticeable changes in behavior throughout the seasons, creating a dynamic and engaging experience for her as a birdwatcher.
"Fall and winter have been rather boring here after a summer that provided an abundance of natural food for the birds and rather mild temperatures. I have had very little bird activity all fall, and in winter, things only got more lively during frosty times with lots of snow. This is great for the budget, but I am looking forward to spring because that is when the summer guests migrate here, starting with red-winged blackbirds, cowbirds, and grackles in the coming weeks. Then, potentially, warblers and native sparrows will be passing through, followed by orioles, grosbeaks, hummingbirds, and all kinds of potential surprise visitors. They stay all spring and summer, some into fall. It is the most exciting time because the garden is lush, and they are all having babies, and variety is at its peak."
In a previous interview, Lisa mentioned that she hopes to explore wilder areas with cameras. So, we were curious to know if there are specific locations or types of landscapes she is particularly eager to explore. "I am talking about areas that are perhaps a bit more remote than my backyard, which is not in the middle of the wilderness," she said. "I'd love to have a piece of forest to explore and play around with trail cameras so that I am less dependent on electricity and WiFi. I have recently started experimenting with one, and things are fun and promising, but I am also on a budget, so possibilities are a bit limited. Experimenting is a lot of fun, though, and we will see what the year brings in that respect."
As we explore nature, birds bring a special charm that captivates bird lovers. Whether in busy cities or peaceful landscapes, our feathered friends add a unique melody to our daily lives. Among all the different types of birds, we asked Lisa if there are specific birds that she has developed a particularly strong connection with or finds herself looking forward to seeing each day.
"I generally love eastern bluebirds, and part of my infatuation with them is probably due to watching them raise their babies in a nest box I made that also had a camera in it. Sadly, last year was not a great season for the blues here; instead of three broods, only one happened because of territorial disputes among the blues. I have not really seen them here since then, and I miss them. So one could say that the last couple of months have been rather boring for me when it comes to birds."
If you love birds, be sure to take a look at more pictures on Lisa's Instagram or website. She also has a live camera that keeps an eye on her backyard all the time, so you can see if any wild birds drop by!
