Winter Vacationers

I usually see a Fox Sparrow or two in our yard during spring or fall migration, but I was excited when a pair of the birds decided to stay in our neighborhood for the entire winter. The “passers-through” are always very shy and feed on the ground under trees or shrubs, but this pair is not afraid to dine on the feeders. They hang out near the less busy squirrel-proof feeders by our kitchen window.

When they’re through eating, they fly to the arborvitaes, fluff out their feathers and sit contentedly for long stretches of time, watching the world go by.