8-16-2023 4:53am

Boyertown Area Residents Share ...

Lesley Misko Editor

The Boyertown Expression recently asked area residents to share some highlights of this summer or one in their past. While it isn't the most creative question, we did learn that local folks do spend their vacation time in creative ways.

We invite YOU to contribute! Whether it is a photo or two with a few sentences or a longer essay of a few paragraphs, we are glad to share your special summer moments. We will even write it for you if you provide the photos and facts/thoughts. Send them to Leslemisko@aol.com or JaneEstahl@comcast.net Help The Expression truly be an expression of the community!

by Allison Kelly

I enjoy watching the birds that daily visit the array of feeders we have right outside our dining room window. During the COVID lockdown periods, many people started paying attention to the birds in their yards, and I spent even more time observing and photographing our little feathered friends. We have many different species of birds all year long, but summer is the best time to catch a glimpse of baby birds.

In June 2021 I had the pleasure of watching a young woodpecker learn how to eat from a feeder. I called him Junior. I’m not sure if he was a Downy or Hairy Woodpecker – it’s hard to tell the difference. I knew he was a male because of the small red patch on the back of his head. I knew he was a juvenile because he was obviously clueless about how to feed himself. Thank goodness he had a patient father with him most of the time.

Observing the interaction between father and son over a period of about two weeks was both educational and entertaining. Junior seemed reluctant to eat from the feeder hanging in the dogwood tree; he preferred to hang out on the trunk of the tree and wait for his daddy to feed him. Papa Woodpecker persisted, however, and soon Junior was trying to get seeds from the feeder himself. He had several failed attempts, often ending up sideways or upside-down.

One day a goldfinch was eating at the feeder and noticed the woodpeckers together on the tree trunk. The little yellow bird cocked his head slightly, appearing puzzled by the behavior he was witnessing. Two days later I spotted him and Junior eating together from the feeder! I guess it’s true that kids will often do things with their friends that they won’t do for their parents. After his first meal with his new buddy the goldfinch, Junior seemed comfortable eating from the feeder by himself. Whenever I saw him getting seeds, I cheered him on. Way to go, Junior!