Red-bellied woodpecker © John Jack Mohr

Take 5: Winter Feeder Frenzy

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Ryan D.

Backyard bird feeders can be a great source of joy and entertainment, especially in the grey winter months when the pop of red from a cardinal’s plumage can bring some welcome color to the scenery and the chatty antics of a small flock of finches fighting over feeder perches can be surprisingly entertaining.

Here are five photos from our Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest of birds you are likely to see at your feeder this winter. For more, see our list of common winter birds in Massachusetts.

Carolina wrens © Julie McDevitt

Carolina wrens © Julie McDevitt

Black-capped chickadee © Francine Wilson

Black-capped chickadee © Francine Wilson

House Finch © Melissa Shelley

House Finch © Melissa Shelley

Northern cardinal © Rob Smiley

Northern cardinal © Rob Smiley

Red-bellied woodpecker © John Jack Mohr

Red-bellied woodpecker © John Jack Mohr

Can Squirrels Fly?

Posted on January 10, 2018 by Hillary T.

You happen to be watching your bird feeder at night. You see something that looks like it flew on it but was definitely not a bird. What could it be? Most likely, you have a flying squirrel visitor. These charismatic seed thieves are common in Massachusetts but are not usually seen because of their nocturnal habits.

Southern Flying Squirrel © Nadine Ronan

Don’t let their name fool you—flying squirrels don’t actually fly. Rather they have a built-in “paraglider,” a membrane that stretches between the legs and lets them soar as far as 150 feet. Like other cavity nesters, they will sometimes use birdhouses for nesting or protection.

Watch Flying Squirrels in Action