By Leslie Watkins

Black-capped chickadees are among the first visitors to return to the bird feeder after summering in the woods. These curious little birds will alert others of your presence with the familiar “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” and will promptly answer your “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” in return. The more “dees” in the alarm, the higher the threat level. Other species of birds also respond to the chickadee’s warning. Black oiled sunflower seeds will bring them to your feeder along with tufted titmice, nuthatches, cardinals, blue jays, woodpeckers, finches and grosbeaks. The chickadees will take a seed to a nearby branch to crack it open. They stash away many seeds in crevices and can remember thousands of hiding places.

Evergreens planted near feeding stations provide cover to protect birds from predators. Plantings of small fruits such as crabapples, viburnums, mountain ash and winterberries are eagerly sought by many birds. Leaving the seed heads of echinacea, sunflowers and rudbeckia will also help feed birds in winter.

Illustration © Leslie Watkins 2017

“Chickaree” is another name for a red squirrel—they also enjoy sunflower seeds and may not be as welcome at the feeder. Considered by some as a nuisance (especially by people with holes in their houses) they can keep birds from the feeders. American Indians regarded the noisy red tree dwellers as sentinels and caretakers of the forest. The attribution of the squirrel is “preparedness” due to their industrious collecting and storing of nuts, seeds and mushrooms to nourish them throughout the winter. They are heavily predated upon, and few live beyond a year or two. Squirrels have been kept as pets throughout history around the world. Remains of pet squirrels have been found in children’s graves, placed at their shoulders.

Red squirrels are most red in summer and turn more grey in winter. They have white bellies and pale outlines around their eyes. Though barely larger than chipmunks, they have beautiful plumy tails that are nearly as long as their bodies. They use their tails as rudders as they sail from tree to tree and as balancers when romping along thin branches. At night squirrels wrap themselves in their tails for warmth. During the day they can serve as parasols for shade and as exclamation points to their excessive chatter.

The most famous red squirrel was created by author, artist and naturalist Beatrix Potter over 115 years ago. The squirrel’s fame is in connection to his tail or better said, in dis-connection with his tail. The story starts this way: “This is the tale about a tail – a tail that belonged to a little red squirrel, and his name was Nutkin.” The story goes on about Nutkin, his brother Twinkleberry and their friends as they head out to gather nuts on an island belonging to Old Brown, an owl. While the polite and well behaved little squirrels offer him assorted treats and gifts in gratitude for his hospitality, impertinent Nutkin dances around, singing and taunting Old Brown over the course of several days. You will have to read “The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin” for yourself to discover his fate.

December Bird Watching Checklist

• Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
• A Bird Field Guide
• Binoculars
• Bird Journal
• Squirrel Proof Feeders
• Suet and Holders
• A Platform Feeder
• Window Clings
• Burlap Placed Under Feeders
• Keep Cats Inside House