Project Feeder Watch Arrives!

Our Cornell Lab of Ornithology Project Feeder Watch packet arrived yesterday! This project allows backyard bird watchers to contribute observations that ornithologists can use to learn about wild bird populations. For a small donation, you receive a packet of information, a poster to help identify wild birds, and a calendar to track observations. We have our feeders set up and have suet cakes and oranges to hang on our outside Christmas tree. Look for posts and images this weekend when we make our first official observations!

Beginnings

We've had a busy two days here at the Homestead. Yesterday, we drove through Tazewell, Virginia, looking for businesses related to sheep or wool. Tazewell is a lovely small town and we look forward to making another trip (armed with more specific address information) soon. Today, we ordered Red Oak, Black Cherry, and American Plum trees from the West Virginia Division of Forestry. The trees will be used to create a wind and noise barrier and bird habitat on the Homestead borders. The WV Division of Forestry offers great values on trees for reforesting. We continue to research sources for Choke Cherry, American Silverberry, and other shrubs to add to the native plant borders. Our Cornell Lab of Ornithology Birdwatching Kit should arrive soon. Christmas will be a bountiful time for the Homestead wild birds. The outdoor Christmas tree will be decorated with suet cake, orange, and raisin ornaments. Watching the birds' feast will be one of our special presents to everyone who visits!