I looked out the window, and squirrel friend was giving me the, "I'm hungry! Where's my breakfast!" look, so I rushed outside with some walnuts and hazelnuts. When I came back into the house, crow friend was eating the hazelnuts. So I quickly put together some crow food and brought that outside (corn, peanuts, sunflower seeds, leftover cat food, suet bits). Then I came back into the house and my Blue Jay buddy had beaten everyone to the feast, but now the crow is back with a friend!

#WinterWildlife #Maine #Snowstorm #FeedTheBirds #FeedingSquirrels

So, I missed the #EAB update from #MaineDACF, but since I registered for the event, I was sent the link to the video update. One thing I learned is that #Woodpeckers are #EmeraldAshBorer's natural enemy. But once EAB sets in, it's too much for the woodpeckers to handle. But if it's an early infestation, they *might* be able to control it! Just another reason to #GardenForBirds and #FeedTheBirds in the winter (and my woodpecker friends LOVE the wormy suet I make for them).

Here's a screenshot from the presentation. Also, the term "blonding" mentioned in the image refers to the process of older gray bark falling off an ash tree that has an EAB infestation, leaving behind lighter-colored newer bark.

The full video can be viewed at this link (includes transcript):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ogbMReBx38

#InvasiveSpecies #AshTrees
#SaveTheForests #ProtectTheTrees #ProtectTheSacred #Stewardship #Wabanaki #Basketry #SolarPunkSunday #Biocontrol #MaineTrees #MaineForestryService #MDIFW

#SilentSunday

#winter #snowpeople #FeedTheBirds

So, we have three ravens who come regularly mid-morning pretty much every day. I leave them "treats" under the big maple tree, but wanted to leave them something special today. Turns out, they LOVE mealworms (as do our Woodpecker pals)! Yum!!!

#FeedingBirds #FeedTheBirds #Ravens

8 Foods You Should Never Feed Garden Birds

Avoid these harmful feeding mistakes.

By Wanda Sachs, Published: Dec 8, 2025

"Winter is prime bird-feeding season. As natural food for backyard birds grows scarcer, many people come to the rescue by leaving out a few tempting treats.

"Because birds can — and will — eat whatever they can get, it’s up to us to make sure we don’t offer them anything that might harm them.

"Before you panic and throw a guilt-ridden glance at your garden feeder, a few words of reassurance: most of the items we’re used to giving to birds are perfectly safe. This includes traditional bird foods available at pet supply shops, such as seed mixes, sunflower hearts and suet balls, but also some select kitchen staples.

" 'There are also useful and healthy additions to put out which most households would already have — a good example being apples,' says Lucy Taylor from Vine House Farm Bird Foods. This is great treat for many backyard birds over the winter months.

"The real red flag is your own food scraps. 'Most of the food types we keep in our homes for our own consumption are not suitable for garden birds, and indeed, some can be very harmful to them,' Lucy reveals. To keep visiting birds safe this season, here are the items you should never offer."

Learn more:
https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/outdoors/a69610598/food-never-to-offer-birds/

#SolarPunkSunday #FeedTheBirds #FeedingWildlife #Wildlife #WildlifeSafety