Lynn Barber

Pine Siskins arrived in great numbers in our central Wisconsin yard along with a huge snow we had a few weeks ago, and have mostly stayed around, even when most of the snow melted. Yesterday we received nearly 3 inches and the Siskins were again famished. Some even hopped on my hand to eat seeds today, as a couple of them had done after the last snow. There is something amazing in having a wild bird sit on your hand. Previously I have had Black-capped Chickadees (many years ago in WI) on my hand, and when we lived in AK, Common Redpolls and Steller’s Jays did so. I guess it takes a combination of birds hungry enough to forget to be afraid, and warm enough weather so I can stand to stand motionless outside for long enough for them to find me and my offering.