Counting Birds for Valentine’s Day
By Colleen Nelson
As you prepare those special cards to send to the ones you love or stop by 5 Kidz Kandy in Downtown Waynesburg for the specialty chocolates owner Kristy Vliet loves to offer, take a moment to think of Mrs. Bald Eagle.
She and her handsome mister have been circling the skies above Greene County for more than a month now, seeking that perfect place to build a love nest. They’ve gathered sticks – sometimes whole branches! – while courting high in the air. As Valentine’s Day approaches, the happy couple is taking turns egg sitting through all kinds of February weather to give their young an early start on life as the bird Americans love to love.
So button up your coat and think of love! Not just for people, but for the furry and feathery ones in your life. You can even pick up a treat for while you’re out and about.
Running low on birdseed? Wondering how to tempt a colorful grosbeak or three to your backyard bird feeder? Waynesburg Milling Company has a wide variety of seeds, suet blocks and feeders of all shapes and sizes along with a wealth of information to share. The shelves are also full of toys and treats for everyone, from hamsters and guinea pigs to that special puppy, kitten or bunny in your life. Check it out – their line of Leanin’ Tree cards speak the language of folksy love.
If you’re ready to have a good reason to get out of the house and take a walk around your neighborhood, the Audubon Society of America is here to help get you out the door for a good cause.
The Valentine’s Day weekend of February 12 through the 15, gives everyone a chance to count birds for science. The Great Backyard Bird Count asks watchers to spend at least 15 minutes counting the birds around the neighborhood. That includes kids itching for a chance to go outside, then coming back in and using their computer to tell Cornell University what they saw. There is even a mobile App you can download to help with your bird count.
This is a world-wide collective snapshot of where the birds are. For example, it captures the movements of snowy owls across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes that indicate how arctic weather affects bird movements nationwide.
Wouldn’t you love to be part of that?
Learn more at: www.birdcount.org.
