Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2023 i Birds and Blooms Extra

The mercury registered -20 degrees on the first morning of my vacation at Gunflint Lake, which sits on the border of Minnesota and Canada. Admittedly, I prioritized a cozy breakfast and cross-country skiing—not birding. Surely it was too frigid for birds to be active. But as I walked to the lodge, I looked up and saw a flash of red. A group of pine grosbeaks, puffed up to their roundest shape, were perched on a tall evergreen. It was my first time seeing these amazing northern birds. But you don’t have to travel to spot boreal birds. As Lisa Ballard explains in “Cold-Weather Warriors,” many fliers that raise their young in the far north spend winter in more temperate climates. This gives many Americans the rare chance to see snowy…

1 Snowdrop GALANTHUS NIVALIS, ZONES 3 TO 8 These 4-to-6-inch-tall perennials thrive in cool climates. The early-blooming bulbs produce delicate white flowers and the thin, dark green leaves disappear when the bulbs go dormant. Plant snowdrop bulbs at least 2 inches deep in groups during fall. Snowdrops can self-seed, so give them plenty of space to spread. Why we love it: Falling snow and cold winters won’t stop snowdrops from pushing through the soil. MIX IT UP Fill your garden with an array of plants to add color and texture during the stark winter months. For the biggest visual impact, choose a mix of evergreens and plants with interesting bark, berries, seed heads or winter blooms. 2 Christmas rose HELLEBORUS NIGER, ZONES 3 TO 8 Christmas rose, also…

Purple Fountain Grass Pennisetum sataceum ‘Rubrum’, Zones 9 to 10 In warmer zones, purple fountain grass keeps its color through winter. But in areas where it’s not hardy, leave it standing to lend structure, movement and texture to your landscape. It bursts with burgundy flower stalks from July to October. It also tolerates air pollution and grows near black walnut trees. Attracts: Light needs: Full to part sun. Size: Up to 4 feet tall and wide. Grown for: Winter interest and seeds for birds. Foliage: Dense maroon grass. Spread potential: The plant is not native but also rarely reseeds, so it’s safe for most backyards, forming a dense but contained clump. SONGBIRD BUFFET Embrace easy gardening and leave the many flower spikes alone through winter. Backyard birds love to pick…

I was thrilled to get this shot in snowy conditions. A flock of goldfinches was feeding on the ground, and several birds perched on nearby milkweed stalks. I captured this scene with a Canon EOS 7D Mark II. William McMullen ROCKLAND, ON STILL STANDING Resist the urge to clean up spent milkweed. It provides a wintry perch as well as seed heads for hungry birds when food is harder to find. It was a belowfreezingJanuary morning at Stoney Creek Park in Goldsboro, North Carolina, when I heard this little male downy woodpecker scurrying up the bark of a tree. He allowed me to get close enough to see his plumage’s soft texture. When he paused for a couple of seconds, I took this shot with a Nikon D850. Vanessa Woodlock…

Dexter Patterson never imagined that a global health crisis would provide the nudge he needed to openly unleash his inner birder. But when cabin fever from the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns became unbearable, he sought refuge in the great outdoors. Breathing fresh air and taking in lush landscapes was therapeutic. Even the slightest glimpse of feathered fowl on his weekly hikes fanned an already-existing passion, which he decided to share with the world through his social media pages. In the past, he had been hesitant to open up. “I really hadn’t been public with it until the last couple of years because there was a little bit of a fear factor in me. I didn’t know what people were going to think,” says Dexter, who is Black. “Like, ‘Birds? Dex is…

answers on the bottom! Set the Table WHAT TO SERVE A finch’s beak is perfect for cracking open seeds. The birds gladly dine on black oil sunflower seeds or thistle. HOW TO DISH IT UP Because finches may flock together in sizable groups during winter, choose a large feeder with multiple feeding ports. ANSWERS 1. COMMON REDPOLL 2. PINE SISKIN 3. RED CROSSBILL 4. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 5. PURPLE FINCH…

Find the Hummingbird In each issue, we hide a hummingbird like the one above left. Enter to win at birdsandblooms.com/contests if you find it. Winners receive a one-year subscription to Birds & Blooms. In the November issue, we hid it on page 20. HIDDEN OBJECT GUIDELINES No purchase necessary to enter to win. Purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes is open to legal residents age 18 years or older of the U.S., its territories and possessions, or of Canada (excluding the Province of Quebec). Sweepstakes begins Dec. 15, 2022, and ends Feb. 15, 2023. Visit birdsandblooms.com/contests for official rules. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes sponsored by RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC. Contact Us! CUSTOMER CARE For subscriptions, renewals, gifts,payments, account info and inquiries:Email:customercare@birdsandblooms.comVisit: birdsandblooms.com/customercareWrite: BIRDS & BLOOMS CUSTOMER CAREPO…

Whether it’s cracked, shelled or on the cob, corn has a role to play in a backyard buffet. It will never be the star of your yard offerings, but it is more than just filler. Corn is an affordable option that serves an important purpose for many species, from pheasants to thrashers, when served safely. According to Ron Holt, co-owner and vice president of Des Moines Feed Co. in Iowa, the key to feeding corn to birds is limiting it to small quantities each day. Putting out too much can attract unwanted visitors to the backyard, among other potential problems. Here are the three main types you can serve. Get Crackin’ All feeder corn is dried out for long-term storage. Cracked corn is removed from the cob before being ground…

Red-headed woodpecker HEAD Unmistakably red, covering the entire head and neck on both males and females. BODY White underneath and black on top, with a thick white wing stripe. RANGE Year-round in the East and the southern plains, spreading to northern plains and southern Canada in the breeding season. CALL Very high-pitched and hoarse tchur. Red-bellied woodpecker HEAD Males have a red mohawk while females have a red patch on the front and back of the head. BODY Pale red-tinted belly with zebra-print wings and back. RANGE Similar to red-headeds, but nonmigratory and extending slightly more south. Found in Florida and the Gulf Coast year-round. CALL A buzzy, high-pitched kwirr or churr. (ALMOST) TWO OF A KIND These birds are virtually the same size, have striking red accents, fly in…

Q Do birds’ feathers get thicker in winter as animals’ fur does? Holly Harnly MYERSTOWN, PA Kenn and Kimberly: Yes, birds living in cooler climates actually do have thicker plumage in winter. It’s typical for them to molt in fall, replacing all or most of their feathers so their outer coating of feathers is in good, fresh condition during the coldest time of year. Under that outer layer, many birds grow hundreds of small downy feathers that are close to the skin for the season. They may increase the total number of feathers by 25% or more—in effect, putting on a natural down vest to help them survive the winter chill. Q Is it normal for a northern mockingbird to regularly visit suet feeders? Thomas Faust BROOKLYN, NY Kenn and…

10-10-10 Most houseplants do fine with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10). Limit or stop fertilizing your houseplants in winter and start feeding them again in spring. As always, follow directions on your specific package. 3 If you’re tight on space, most 3-inch pots fit on even the narrowest window sills. Peperomia and small cactuses can both happily grow in containers that size. 12 When using artificial lights, the tips of the plants should be 6 to 12 inches from the light source to ensure the plant is receiving maximum benefits. 1/4 To help maintain a symmetrical shape, give houseplants a quarter-turn occasionally, maybe even every time you water if it helps you to remember. 50 Ideal humidity for tropical houseplants is around 50%. If your home is drier, set your plants…