“Feeding the birds” requires no extra equipment, no high-out-of-cat-reach pole, or cute feeding station. The yard is sheltered by five huge pine trees that were near seedlings we planted when we first built the house, 46 years ago. Plus, there is an orchard of fruit trees just steps behind the pines. We have a horsechesthut tree that has been a part of this farm long before our purchase. A willow drops its leaves on the grass every time a stiff breeze winds its way up or down the canyon. Plenty of places to harbor birds. And harbor birds we do.
The pines have been the home for generations of magpies. Robins and oriels abound. Sparrows come from around the perimeter somewhere. Mourning doves, particularly those with a Spanish accent, have found spots in the pines, in spite of the magpies. Chickadees visit in flocks at a time, disappear, then visit again. An occasional nest sack that orioles construct finds its way to the lawn. Woodpeckers announce their presence with a noisy rat-a-tat-tat, when they hammer their way after an insect. Owls are constant, loving the rafters of our barns. Meadowlarks let us know when they have arrived with the call of spring. There is a little flock of chukars that work their way around the neighborhood. I am not even counting the pheasants, the crows, the swallows, blackbirds, the starlings. Then the waterfowl at the pond, the geese, ducks, sandpipers, an occasional swan. We have an adequate supply of feathered friends to entertain us if we just look out the windows.
Outdoor cats, those too are entertainment, but it isn't often that one of the feathered inhabitants fall prey to the felines. A slice of stale bread, or a cup of old cereal, tossed out the back door is swept up by greedy beaks quickly, even if a cat might be interested. The beat-up metal cat dish, (an old hub cap)serves birds as well as cats. There is a path of bird prints all about the back yard and directly to the cat's pan whenever there is a snowfall. The birds like the leftovers from our meals every bit as much as our mousers.
It is pure entertainment to watch a cocky magpie challenging a cat over some morsel. Those black and white beauties with a shine to their feathers are very savvy creatures. They know how close they can come, how quick to retreat, only to move in again. They will even team up, several teasing from different directions to distract the cat. They are playing a game, but the poor cat.
