News-Record.com

My husband and I own the Wild Birds Unlimited store on Pisgah Church Road, and I would like to respond to the letter writer who wondered where all of the birds are. In the fall, there is always a natural decrease in seed-eating birds in our back yards because there is abundant natural seed as flowers turn to seed.

For the past three years, we have had very little natural food due to the droughts. The natural food source generally lasts until we have a few heavy frosts, which cause the seed heads to drop their seed. Because it was still so warm in November and most of December, the natural food sources lasted longer this year than normal. As colder weather comes, so will the birds.

You can tell how cold it is going to be any given night by how feverishly the birds eat. Birds are also the best indicator of snow, as they gorge on food, which they later digest through the night in order to stay warm. Give them time and cold weather, and they will be back.

Barbara Haralson
Greensboro