Northland Nature: Varied thrushes make surprise visit to feeders.

Like many in the Northland, I maintain bird feeders during the winter. Typically, I begin in October and continue through the cold season. Unless it is very snowy, I cease in April.

Though we feed birds, it is more for our sake. Unless conditions are very brutal, the local birds, so well-adapted to northern seasons, can survive without our handouts.