Nature Sightings - December

• The Varied Thrush can be rare sight at a home feeder. To entice the thrush to visit your feeding
station, we recommend placing a covered tray feeder outside with a slice of fruit, like an orange
or apple to attract these beautiful birds. Also, a seed blend containing fruit (No-Mess Plus® is one
idea) or Jim's Birdacious® bark butter bits is a great option to attract even larger variety of birds!

• Don't put away your finch feeders this winter! During the colder months we recommend using fine
sunflower chips to attract many of our year-round birds and also migratory birds like the Pine Siskin.

• Ever seen a raptor? This month is a great chance to see raptors in Washington! Many raptors
overwinter in our area, especially Rough-legged Hawks, Golden and Bald Eagles and even
Sharp-shinned Hawks. Raptors are not a thing of the past! Now you know.

• One of the largest congregations of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states is right here in Washington!
Head on out to the Skagit River, just east of Concrete to watch Bald Eagles feeding on spawned out
salmon. The Bald Eagles feasting on fish will be a fun sight December through January.

• Help your birds during freezing temperatures! Make sure any open water sources are available for
birds to take a drink! We have water heaters that are safe the birds, your bird bath, and you! Don't
worry about defrosting the entire bird bath, if there is a section of unfrozen water for the birds to
drink from, they will happily use it.

• The rainy season has begun. Protect your seed and feeders with weather domes!

• Missed out on any of the meteor showers this year? Don't worry, because the Geminid meteor shower
is this month! The 14th seems to be the usual peak day to watch meteors falling from the December
sky. Bundle up, bring something warm to drink and enjoy.

Nature Happenings

• Feeling festive? Decorate your home with edible ornaments for the outdoors! You can attract birds
and adorn your home with holiday cheer everyone can see. There is no need to get a huge bag of seed
because we have 5 pound seed bags at our store for all your bird attracting and no-mess crafting
needs. Happy Holidays!

• The Christmas Bird Count is this month. Unlike the winter-long Project Feeder Watch, this bird count
lasts only three weeks. Short and sweet! For information, please visit: Christmas Bird Count

• Project FeederWatch continues. For more information, visit: Project Feeder Watch