Snowflakes falling white from the sky, covering everything with a thick cold carpet, during winters chill. This was the first winter Daisy had experienced snow. Wearing her fluffy new pajamas and pink bunny slippers she gazed out of the window in awe, everything was white. Daisy was hoping to see the robin eating the crumbs she had left out, or maybe the red cardinal would visit, but there was no sign of any birds. Birds hide in the depths of bushes, sleeping warm in their nests awaiting the thaw. Few birds bravely search for food in their frozen habitat.
“Mummy, mummy do the birds still eat when the snow comes?” asked Daisy.
“Yes, Daisy some birds still need to eat, drink fresh water, and keep warm during snowy weather. Putting out fresh water and food will encourage the birds to visit our garden.”
“Hurry and eat your breakfast Daisy, I have something to show you.”
Daisy tucked into her cereal wondering what it could be. She hoped, whatever it was mummy wanted, it would not take long. Daisy was itching to get outside to play in the snow.
Mummy helped Daisy with her wellington boots and pulled her woolly hat down over her ears. Snug and warm in her quilted snowsuit, mummy took Daisy outside. Holding Daisy by the hand, mummy made sure Daisy did not slip over in the snow. Daisy could see her breath, it was so cold, she rubbed her hands together.
The snow was a few inches deep, not quiet reaching the top of Daisy’s wellingtons. Daisy wanted to go stamping footprints but mummy held her back.
Earlier mummy had noticed some tracks in the snow. She wanted to show them to Daisy, to teach her that not only humans leave footprints in the snow. Not knowing which visitor had left them, she pointed out the tracks to Daisy who was making her own snowstorm shaking the snowy covered branches of the bushes. Squealing with delight, Daisy caught a handful of snow in her hands. Patting the soft snow into a ball she threw the snowball towards her mother, giggling.
“Daisy!” exclaimed mummy, “You cheeky thing, I’m trying to show you where the birds have been this morning.”
“Did the robin do that Mummy?”
“Maybe, Daisy, they lead to the birdbath, the birds must have needed a drink.”
The tracks were all around the birdbath the shallow water almost frozen solid. Mummy broke the ice so the birds could drink.
Mummy left Daisy playing in the snow while she fetched some fresh water and some kitchen scraps to feed their feathered friends.
Taking Daisy inside to warm-up, mummy had a fun activity planned for Daisy. School had closed for a snow day, so plenty of time for fun with her daughter before daddy came home from work.
Daisy and mummy had collected pine cones, last week, while walking through the woods. Mummy had thought they could made animals with them, when she had time for a craft day. Today’s activity would prove to be far more worthwhile.
Mummy told Daisy they were going to make pine cone feeders for the birds.
Daisy smiled she loved doing crafts with mummy.
Firstly, mummy covered the dining table with old newspapers to contain any mess and stop any scratches. The dining table was old but well loved and mummy didn’t want it marking.
Daisy took three pine cones from the pile. Mummy told her to pick the fat open ones for this craft.
“Watch Daisy this is how you tie the string” said mummy as her fingers tightly knotted the colored thread.
Daisy needed some help looping the string tightly around the pine cones and tying the knot.
“Next comes the fun part, Daisy, filling the open pine cones with peanut butter and hanging them from trees.”
“Don’t lick your fingers Daisy,” mummy watched as her daughter rolled the peanut butter covered cones in sunflower seeds and wild birdseed. The seeds stuck fast to the sticky peanut butter on the pine cones. The birds were going to love them.
Mummy placed the pine cones on a baking sheet and popped them in the freezer to harden. In next to no time, the mess was cleared up and it was almost time for lunch. Today called for hot soup, with crusty bread to warm there insides.
Daisy washed her hands and went to watch television. She sat toasty warm by the fire, watching cartoons.
Delicious vegetable soup filled them both and Daisy begged to hang the pine cones outside.
Dressed again in her snowsuit, hat and wellingtons, mummy and Daisy went outside. Mummy had to lift Daisy up to reach the branches, snow falling on their heads as she grasped hold.
The pine cones swung gently on the string. The smell of the peanut butter would attract the birds for sure.
It was bitter cold outside, so mummy took a reluctant Daisy inside. She told her the birds would not come while they were there. It would be much better to watch through the window.
Daisy shrugged, she knew better than to argue.
Inside she took off her wellingtons and snowsuit. Her hands were pink and tingling as they started to warm again.
Daisy sat with a cup of hot chocolate looking out of the window. Squeals of delight as not one bird but three hopped around the garden, leaving footprints in the snow. Mummy came to see what all the noise was about, just in time to see the cardinals attack the pine cones.
Mummy and Daisy watched the birds feasting, a high five for a job well done.
http://www.liveanimalslist.com/interesting-animals/most-common-north-american-garden-birds.php
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