Image by kevincole via Flickr

Birds are rather scarce in winter because they migrate to warmer places so birdwatching is mostly confined to the south, where places are frost-free and the temperatures are a little higher.  There are birds however, who are hardy enough to stay through the cold even when food is scarce and the temperatures are below freezing.

During winter, birdwatching is normally confined inside the house, where an avid bird fan can just watch from the window.  But for some brave souls who venture out in the cold to find the birds, there are also some wonderful species to see.

Some birds who stay for winter are not really locals, but birds flying in from farther north.  Some of them are song sparrows, crows, goldfinches, meadowlarks and sometimes, purple finches, bluebirds and robins.

Some birds migrating to the south might linger in winter, especially in the Northern and Middle parts.  These birds are the winter wrens, warblers and brown creepers.  There are also the ‘visitors’ like the tree sparrows, horned larks and the snowy owl.

To find these birds, a birdwatcher can seek open fields, where there are seeds available for food and where birds can usually be seen in a flock.  On shade trees, shrubs and fruit trees, birds may be seen feeding on frozen fruits, buds and seeds. 

Inland bodies of water are usually frozen in winter, so water birds are rare, but there are birds who manage to eke out a living in the swamps or rivers.  There is also avian life along the coast, where gulls and shore birds can be found.  In marshes, there’s the marsh owl and even the snowy owl.

There’s no need to go out to find birds in winter.  This is the time when food is scarce, so some birds would actually appreciate a little generosity on the part of homeowners.  Leaving food in a good location near the window can let you watch them from inside.  Chickadees and blue jays are regular takers, along with sparrows.

An avid birdwatcher will not be discouraged by the arrival of winter to seek out birds.  There are plenty to see, but only if we bring them to our doorstep or actively brave the cold and seek them in their territories.

Despite the lack of birds in winter, it is actually a great time for birdwatching.  Winter gives us the wonderful, if limited, opportunity to see birds that normally do not come to our shores.  The scarcity of birds in winter makes us appreciate them even more.