coronavirus

Coronavirus, the elderly, and birds

My mother- in-law Lucille had a full life before her cognitive functions began their long, cruel departure. Now she has family she is mainly restricted from seeing in person, and… bird feeders.

At first, the feeders were not an easy sell. Lu lives on the second floor, and our first attempt—attaching a feeder to her window- was not successful. Birds didn’t come, Lu kept opening the window and knocking the feeder off, and she complained constantly about its presence. We gave up on the window feeder and planted two feeders on posts in a small patch of ground under Lu’s window.

Photo by Eric Bégin

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We are Not Alone

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We are Not Alone

The plague has reminded us how important human contact is — physical, familial, emotional — and how painful the loss of that can be. We need to be reminded that we are not alone and how we can maintain contact with one another. Thanks to Matt, Brenna, Carolyn, Caitlyn, Becky, and John of Madison Audubon's staff as they create new ways to reach out to our members, volunteers, and friends during these uniquely trying times.

Madison Audubon is not alone either. I thought a review of some of our organizational friends, partners, and allies might make for a few moments of happy reading (and some ideas of some new places to spend time outdoors).

Photo by Drew Harry

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Lookin' Out My Backdoor

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So went the advice of Creedence Clearwater Revival (admit it, some of you remember the band) and it's applicable today. Most of are and should be at home most of the time. Our bird friends are there too. You never know what you're going to see to amuse, inspire, or awe you unless you take the time to look.

In my front, side, and back yards, the stars this spring have been the cardinals. Two males and a female have been foraging and chasing one another. They can really fly through tight spaces. Some chickadees are sparing me some arduous clean up. I had about a three foot, rotting stump of an apple tree and decided that a year of procrastination was enough. The stump had to go. But a pair of chickadees started work on it just a couple of days ago. They are preparing a nest? Feeding on insects? Who cares, the stump is theirs for as long as they want it.

Photo by Mr.TinDC, FCC

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Birds, Beauty, and Not Too Many of Us

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With proper respect for social distancing, I hope many of you are able to get out and experience what nature can offer. We in Madison Audubon and other conservation organizations talk, plan, raise money, volunteer, and finally spend hours and hours in the field restoring parts of nature. Time to remember that nature can restore us.

Some of our favorite places to experience nature — state and county parks, for example — might be drawing crowds that push the social distancing limits. Here are two suggestions for off the beaten track lands that will be glorious to visit and not too crowded.

Photo by Joshua Mayer

Birds and Spring? That's GOOD news!

As I worked from my home "office" this week, trying to make sense of things, keeping my 11-year-old son busy, and pondering the future, I had a few visitors. Not the kind that ring the doorbell... these were of the feathered variety. First was the pair of house finches, adding material to their nest on my front downspout. Then I listened in as the black-capped chickadees counter-sang their version of “hot cross buns.” An overhead scan for the bugling cranes led me to spot a red-tailed hawk perched in my black walnut tree (the chickadees were not so entertained).

While all the birds called and flitted about, I felt a sense of gratitude for the joy that birds bring. What a welcome feeling that is. And now, Spring has sprung and so has spring migration!

Photo by Eric Begin