Are you a Chickadee Magnet? We Hope So!
Winter is a great time to observe birds, and what better place to observe them than the comfortable, serene wildlife feeding station at The Geauga Park District’s West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road (Route 87) in Russell Township.
But what if we told you that YOU could be the bird feeder?
Following the saying “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” Geauga Park District’s Bird in the Hand Project allows you to feed the wild birds by hand!
This project debuted in the winter of 2014 to great success, and the Black-capped Chickadees immediately warmed up when the feeder went back out this fall.
Read park volunteer Stacey Rauch’s story about feeding these birds by hand.
To try your hand at feeding the birds, time up your visit for daylight hours and dress warmly – extra layers, hat and gloves – since you will be standing still. If it’s between 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., stop into the nature center to collect some black oil sunflower seed; otherwise, use a little from the feeder already placed on site.
Hand-feeding works best with just one or two people or a small group, like three or four.
Follow the Trout Lily Trail, then hang a right at the fork after the boardwalk across the wetlands, following the sign. Soon you’ll come upon the feeding station marked by a feeder and a mannequin, “Parker,” who keeps the birds familiar with a human presence. (Parker is pretty realistic; then again, the birds are fairly easy to fool.)
Take down the feeder, hide it under the bucket that’s there, extend your hand with some seed in your palm, then wait.
Odds are good you’ll have a taker if you’re patient, enjoying the peace and quiet a handful of minutes or so, maybe less.
Why was the Bird in the Hand Project established anyway? Well…’cause it’s cool!
Led this year by naturalists Dottie Drockton and Linda Gilbert and a crew of dedicated volunteers, this project is one that you won’t want to miss – starting now and lasting all winter long.
Watch Chief Naturalist John Kolar feed the birds last year at http://youtu.be/iL51Lh2uhZU.
For more information on the Geauga Park District, check them out online on their website, Facebook page, Twitter, and YouTube.
