This month we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We celebrate the end of 2025. And we welcome a hopefully healthy and prosperous 2026.
It is a time of bright lights, beautiful music, wonderful family time, crazy good food, and of course delectable sweet treats. And high on most peoples lists is gift giving.
Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s in Wheat Ridge at a time the town was still small. Christmas season was magical. Many, in what was then a blue collar community lacked the ability to stack the tree with gifts. But just one gift would hold more meaning and memories than a pile of cheap imported gadgets. Those times hold the best of memories for this guy.
In todays world gift giving has taken forefront to what is truly the reason for the season, but there are still ways to pull out some of that good old Christmas cheer. For example go for a walk on a cold snowy morning, sing Christmas songs, or if you sing like me hum Christmas songs. You can also take a thermos of hot chocolate, or cider. A baggie full of home made cookies wouldn’t hurt either. Maybe put little ones in a sled if there is snow, or pull a wagon. Make bird seed ornaments to hang on a tree. Put the phone away unless to take pictures. I’ll guarantee doing these things will beat the heck out of anything some shopping mall can provide.
Now, staying with my Bird Nut theme, December is a tough time for our little feathered friends. We have many that over winter here. Much of the seeds and berries of summer are no longer available. Also development has taken out much of the habitat necessary to provide food. Thankfully, the popularity of birdwatching has increased awareness to the needs of these little ones if they are to survive. As I’ve said before, if the birds are gone, so are we.
It’s taken me a lot of years to realize giving is so much greater a gift than receiving. So I’m asking readers to consider helping out our little feathered friends. A simple feeder can be purchased for very little money. A good quality seed mix about $30.00 a bag should last a couple weeks. Buy a seed mix without all the filler waste such as milo. Also black oil sunflower seeds are high in protein. I have two feeders. One is predominantly feeding the squirrels, they get hungry too. The other feeder is squirrel proof. In six months they haven’t beaten it yet. Since many of our winter birds such as Juncos, Towhees, and White Crown Sparrows are ground feeders it’s good to sprinkle seeds about the base of the feeder. I also buy high energy suet. Woodpeckers, and Chickadees love it. Unsalted in the shell peanuts thrown into the mix really keep the jays happy.
If you live in a town home or condo but have a balcony consider a TV tray. Sprinkle seeds about the tray. Easy to clean up and avoid mess. If that doesn’t work, a donation of seeds or money to Denver Audubon is a great gift.
As important as the seeds is also water. Many water sources either go dry or freeze. You will find birds coming to water first. Other than cleaning and refilling the water dish each day it’s another no hassle gift. Consider an inexpensive heated bird bath.
Feeding and watching the birds can provide hours of entertainment. A great way to get children involved in nature. And supply a great feeling of gratification in helping those who cant help themselves.
Wishing you all a blessed, and Merry Christmas. Hope to see you on the trail.
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dove. PHOTO BY KEN HALL
