Winter, or as much as we get of it, has reached north central Florida. About a week and a half ago we had our first light frost. The frost only got to places that were pretty open, but the cooler temperatures pretty efficiently put an end to a lot of the insects that we had around here. When that happens, some of our insectivorous birds like these Carolina wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus) turn to other sources of food. Around my house, that includes suet. I always keep some suet out for the birds, but a block lasts quite awhile in the summer. It goes faster and faster as the temperatures fall in autumn and winter, though. Some of the other birds, including blue jays and woodpeckers will also use the suet, but the main ones that partake are the insectivorous songbirds.

Most birds are pretty messy eaters, and the little wrens are no exception, but they have no issues with cleaning up the crumbs that fall on the deck floor, either. They seem to prefer the block, but if they don’t feel safe up there or the block is gone (which I get cussed out for!) they’re pretty comfortable down on the porch. Under normal circumstances they tend to hide out in the lower bushes and shrubs, where they can be really hard to see, so being close to the ground doesn’t seem to bother them.

There are quite a few of them that hang around here, and since they’re year round residents I can always enjoy watching them at whatever they’re up to. There seems to be one dominant male, and it’s not uncommon for him to find an open place like a fence post and sing away. Once he’s done with that (which establishes this as his territory), he will go and eat. It’s only after he has finished that the others tend to show up. Watching their behavior is always fascinating, and reminds me again and again of just how important it is to protect and appreciate even the littlest of natures creatures.