Can Cardinals Survive Our Winters?

I was wondering about the life of cardinals this morning. Mr Cardinal was here very early. The 20 below temps. didn't seem to phase him. Has he always been a No. Illinois bird?

That depends in part on how severe the winter weather is. Northern Cardinals were once considered mainly southern birds, but they now live year round in New England and the southeastern edge of Canada. Climate change, forest clearing that created more habitat suitable for them, and the growth in popularity of bird feeding have allowed them to expand their range into areas that were previously inhospitable in winter. Mockingbirds have undergone a similar range expansion. You could say that they get by with a little help from their (human) friends.

So in reading this...I have come to the conclusion that we really do help our feathered friends by feeding them. I have read that they really don't need our handouts...it is just something that humans like to do ...although they could survive without us just fine.Well this is just what I needed to read. I like the idea that I am helping them...always the caregiver. :)

I just went to get my hubby a cup of coffee and glanced at the thermometer on the wall...only 19 below now. :) I guess we will get through this weather...if the birds can, so can we. We waited to clear the snow, because the high winds would drift it in our drive and we would have to do it again...maybe that was a mistake. Now we have to go out in this bitter cold and do the job. I'm all for hiring someone, but my husband isn't really ready to throw in the shovel. Next year I think it will be necessary. He is grumbling about moving to a warmer climate. We go through this every winter...however.

Yesterday there was a knock at the front door. A little boy was standing there in the cold. He said that he had been dropped off and he couldn't get anyone to come to the door at his house. He said he was cold...could he come in?I invited him in and asked what he wanted us to do. He wanted to call his Mom. I said, "Where do you live?" He smiled and gave me a strange look. Then I recognized him...he was our next door neighbor, Bryce! He was so bundled up...face and all that I couldn't tell. I pushed back his big hat and there was his blond curly head. He and I laughed and laughed. His Mom had been at home, after all. Their doorbell was broken and she couldn't hear his knock. That reminded me to pay attention in my neighborhood on days like this. Someone out there may need our help. We have to keep an eye out for our neighbor pets too. So, our Cardinals will be taken care of today, Laddie will be warm, we will watch out for our neighbors and their pets, and I will be watching out for my hubby.

Balisha

We are just in from moving the snow. We both dressed warmly and didn't really feel the cold at all. The wind stopped here and we were given a reprieve for today. It will be below 0 all day and we will deal with it.