Redbush's Brambles: grosbeaks

Yesterday and today, Redbush has concluded that her mild weather has gone to pot. It has become much cooler with continual falling snow. She thinks that it will be a good day to stay inside, however, the deck and steps have a foot of snow on them, so, will need to be shoveled. Redbush sits drinking her morning coffee, watching a variety of birds gathering outside her diningroom window. It's unbelievable how such small bodies can flutter around without a care in the world, not freezing up in the process! She watches them and marvels at how lucky they are to be in her yard.

Grosbeaks, bluejays, nuthatches, chickadees, red polls, and finches are some of the birds that frequent her bird feeders. Every month Redbush and family buy huge bags of striped sunflower seeds to fill their five bird feeder. They also buy a large amount of fat balls to keep these birds happy throughout the winter. They really are breaking the Redbush family! She is sure that they all tell each other that the place to be is in this yard, so, be sure to spread the message in the bird world! Redbush has tried making the fat balls, but unless you know what you are doing, the birds won't touch them. Apparently if the fat is too compact, it can actually glue the birds' beaks shut. Her suppliers tell her that the birds must be ecstatic in Redbush's yard. Occasionally, Redbush tries to be creative and attempts to make appetizers for them such as "Bejewelled Apples". She hollows out an apple and fills in with small seeds, cooked rice, and rehydrated fruit.

Magpies, nuisance birds in Redbush's yard, fly in regularly trying to pack off a fat ball from the fat ball holders and have succeeded on numerous occasions. When spotted by Bonzi, he bounds off after them to warn them them that those fat balls are for his little bird friends, so, paws off, or rather beaks off, or maybe talons off! He gives chase because Redbush has taught him that they are, "dirty birdies". For all you bird lovers out there, Redbush will leave you with a recipe for treats for your birds. She has also attempted to load a few pictures of her wild bird population. Redbush wonders what kind of birds visit your yard?