Twig Council #09127

The Story

These freezing winter songbirds were gripping their branches in a brisk wind: mourning doves, a junco, two cardinals, and a single jay. It was in the low teens that day with a strong near-zero wind chill; a person could barely stand that bitter biting cold and neither could they. Normally, wild birds fly far off and away. But these birds were patiently waiting for me to move away from the bird feeder before coming down again!

Location: near Murrysville, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Picture and story © Andrew Dierks