To the editor:
This is a letter to all backyard birders and all interested in feeding bird visitors in winter months. Now is the time to get your bird feeders cleaned and supplies stocked up, as we will soon see the regular winter bird visitors from farther north, as well as the year-round birds. It is a joy to watch all of them.
They all need help with food and open water in winter. All seed-eating birds need water. Suet helps insect-eating birds. Getting feeders out early will help birds establish a pattern for where to find food.
Yes, you will get squirrels, a fact of life in Shawano. If you want to watch birds, as well as help them, there will be squirrels. I have not totally surrendered to them but have a compromise.
For some special bird watching, there is the Navarino Nature Center (NNC), where an effort has been made for good bird watching comfortably from inside. There are many feeders to view from inside. Give it a try.
The national Christmas bird count is soon after Thanksgiving. NNC is the local coordinator. If you are interested, contact NNC. There is usually a notice in The Shawano Leader.
We are losing some bird species, and others are down in numbers. Birds need our help, not to mention the great joy we get in watching thee beautiful and important creatures.
Gerry Love Stephens
Shawano
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