Georgians deal with the bitter cold in a number of ways. However, earlier this week we were truly tested. The temperature dropped to 14º. Now I know that is not as cold as it gets where many of our fellow bloggers live, but it is indeed cold here in the Peach State.
Living in a rural area prior to the temperature dropping into the teens, we have to make sure that our water pipes don’t freeze. In our case, this means turning on strong lights in the well house to keep the pump and pipes found there will not freeze. We also wrap our outside faucets. In addition, we let the faucets steadily drop water throughout the night.
While we can take these and other measures to keep from suffering from the bitter cold, our wildlife neighbors have few ways to deal with the cold of a winter night As such, they often face a life or death situation just trying to stay warm. However, I am always amazed when I learn of some to the ways these seemingly defenseless creatures have found ways to survive winter’s icy cold temperatures. Here is an example of what I mean.
During the fall downy woodpeckers, cavities downys excavate to serve as roost sites typically face away from the prevailing wind. Meanwhile those dug at other times of the year are randomly oriented. Many experts believe this is because in winter, the interiors of cavities that face into the prevailing winds get colder than those facing away from them.
Last year I moved from in town, where I always had a (one, and only one!) bird feeder, to a home in a rural setting. In addition, I had kept a hummingbird feeder during the warm months. Now, I have expanded my feeder collection to, well, I’ve lost count now! I place hopper feeders, finch feeders, platform feeders, suet feeders, woodpecker cakes and bars, multiple hummingbird feeders, and, in addition, I scatter food on the ground for mostly the Juncos’ benefit, but many others take advantage of this, as well! Cardinals, Blue Jays, Grackles, mourning doves, house sparrows (they gotta eat, too) house finches, ensure there’s rarely leftovers on the ground, but the squirrels and the nocturnal creatures are the official clean up crews. Opossums, rabbits, deer help out at night, as well. Most recently, Flying Squirrels have appeared every night, and they are so fun to watch outside the patio door!
Here in northwestern Indiana, it has been a very harsh winter. Long stretches of actual below zero degree weather, not counting the wind chill factors! In my almost 70 years on this planet, this ranks pretty high on the scale of severe winter weather that I can recall. That’s why my most favored Christmas present, from one of my granddaughters, is a suet cake feeder filled with Alpaca hair! At first couldn’t wait for springtime to hang that outdoors. Then I got to thinking, with the frigid temperatures, and the high winds that we have had, which have been downing lots of branches, it could be that NOW might be a good time to place it outdoors. So I did! And, although I have not witnessed it, some bird, or birds, have been pulling from it!
So, if you have any birders out there, you might keep in mind, that these make wonderful gifts!
I thank God every day for these beautiful little feathered friends of mine!
However, I am always amazed when I learn of some to the ways these seemingly defenseless creatures have found ways to survive winter’s icy cold temperatures. Here is an example of what I mean.
Good info, Terry!
Thanks William. Whenever you say the info is of value, I know I have hit a home run!
Terry
Last year I moved from in town, where I always had a (one, and only one!) bird feeder, to a home in a rural setting. In addition, I had kept a hummingbird feeder during the warm months. Now, I have expanded my feeder collection to, well, I’ve lost count now! I place hopper feeders, finch feeders, platform feeders, suet feeders, woodpecker cakes and bars, multiple hummingbird feeders, and, in addition, I scatter food on the ground for mostly the Juncos’ benefit, but many others take advantage of this, as well! Cardinals, Blue Jays, Grackles, mourning doves, house sparrows (they gotta eat, too) house finches, ensure there’s rarely leftovers on the ground, but the squirrels and the nocturnal creatures are the official clean up crews. Opossums, rabbits, deer help out at night, as well. Most recently, Flying Squirrels have appeared every night, and they are so fun to watch outside the patio door!
Here in northwestern Indiana, it has been a very harsh winter. Long stretches of actual below zero degree weather, not counting the wind chill factors! In my almost 70 years on this planet, this ranks pretty high on the scale of severe winter weather that I can recall. That’s why my most favored Christmas present, from one of my granddaughters, is a suet cake feeder filled with Alpaca hair! At first couldn’t wait for springtime to hang that outdoors. Then I got to thinking, with the frigid temperatures, and the high winds that we have had, which have been downing lots of branches, it could be that NOW might be a good time to place it outdoors. So I did! And, although I have not witnessed it, some bird, or birds, have been pulling from it!
So, if you have any birders out there, you might keep in mind, that these make wonderful gifts!
I thank God every day for these beautiful little feathered friends of mine!