Farm Journal

Thoughts and images from life at Foster Road

Journal Entries

Birdhouses

With the snow melted, I’ve been able to peek into the many birdhouses that are mounted on poles and trees all around the property. These were made by the former owner according to his daughter.

On the day I took these photos, fuel oil was delivered and I seized the opportunity to chat up the silver-haired driver for any information he might have. He claims to have serviced this route for over thirty years and to have seen these bird houses about the yard the whole time. Apparently Mr. Sweet especially loved bluebirds and they were abundant on othe property, living in the perfectly positioned and sized houses.

The driver also told me that Mr. Sweet complained about the greedy wild turkeys that ate the food he put out for the songbirds. I’ll be happy to see either species if they return to this place once it’s habited. For now, blackbirds, bluejays and woodpeckers abound.

Mr. Sweet was apparently partial to the shingle style hose with a brightly painted, steeply pitched roof. But the birds seem to like the plain cedar versions perfectly well—the worn entry holes a testament to generations of nesting.

My only worry is for Percy, our amazingly adept hunter-kitty. Despite being declawed, he routinely brings us mice and birds, generously offering his kill to the rest of us. I hope he trains his attention to the many voles and mice that have taken residence in the barn, and leave the winged-prey alone. Time will tell.