I remember growing up and seeing bird feeders everywhere. It was one of those common sights that you didn’t think much of at the time. Even today, you still see them everywhere but have you ever really thought about them? With all of the heartbreaking stories we have been hearing recently, it’s hard to sit back and watch it all without wanting to help in some way. You might not be able to catch the next flight to Puerto Rico to help families rebuild their homes. You might not have the funds to donate to an animal shelter right now. Personally, I wish I could help every person and animal possible. Unfortunately, that’s not always as easy as it would seem. But if you can find the smallest way to help a cause, I encourage you to try.
I recently discovered the importance of those bird feeders we see so often. Months ago, I wanted a bird feeder to watch the birds, chipmunks, and squirrels come up to it. I’m big on photography too so getting pictures of my new wildlife animals added to the entertainment. After months of watching them, you really start to know their routines. I’m able to identify who’s who and eventually gave them names because they start to feel like pets. Every morning I’ll take the bird feeder outside, and they even get an umbrella covering it on the days it’s raining. It has become a joke with all of my friends about how much I spoil all of them. But with the weather getting colder, I started to wonder what they will do in the snow. After researching what winter is like for these animals, I discovered that most of the time they can’t survive through the winter. The only way that they can survive is by having bird feeders to go to. Feeding birds during winter months can actually save thousands and even millions of birds from starvation. As I said before, we might not be able to help every situation or cause, but when we have any chance at helping something, we at least need to do our best to try. Which is why I started a cause to raise awareness about feeding birds in the winter.
It’s not that you need to go out and buy an expensive bird feeder, you can pour it into a plastic cup or bowl. The bird food at pet stores typically costs five dollars for a nine-pound bag. It’s something simple, inexpensive, and saves our wildlife. It’s a great feeling to help a cause in some way. Sometimes the most simple things can go the longest way. If you are able to help your birds and wildlife this upcoming winter, help me spread awareness by using the hashtag #FeedTheFlock on social media. If you can post photos of your feeders to show how helpful they can be, I believe more people would be willing to help. In most cases, people are unaware of how much birds and wildlife rely on us. If I never got a bird feeder, I would have never been curious enough to look into anything about birds in general. It just goes to show that we can make a difference in some way. It might not be the primary causes that we are presented with right in front of us, it might be things we see daily that need more attention too.
Head over to my flock’s Instagram page: feed_the_flock to get more facts and tips on how you can help your local birds this winter. Hopefully, we can make some kind of difference during these holiday months.
Feature image via Author
