Happening at the Crossroads
December 3, 2006
At Crossroads at Big Creek, Christmas is for the birds! And of course, the holidays are special for the children (and life-long learners) who care about wildlife. Each December, school children prepare special treats for the birds and forest creatures. The children bring their goodies to Crossroads where they hang the food or arrange it around a "Night Tree."
Little do they know that they are participating in a cherished Old World tradition.
In the southern parts of Germany, for example, corn is spread on the rooftops so the birds can join the celebration of the Christkind. In other parts of Germany, farmers carry grain to church on Christmas Eve. The grain, which is to be used for feeding poultry, is blessed to protect the hens from disease and to to encourage them to lay well during the new year.
In Denmark, the father of the household erects a "juleneg" on Christmas Eve. This is a corn stalk hung in a tree, just to let the birds know that Christmas has arrived. Danish farmers also save a sheaf of grain from the harvest. When Yul time comes, they tie the grain to a pole so that even in the deepest snow (remember when we used to have deep snow?) the birds can find food.
Norwegians feed the birds on the night of the Julesvenn. They tie their largest sheaf of grain to the gables of their homes. This custom, probably dating back to a pagan ritual, has superstitious overtones. Rural folk claim to be able to predict the success of the next year's harvest by observing which species of birds partake in the Christmas offering. Birds are not the only creatures to enjoy Christmas in Norway. Farm families take special treats to barnyard animals.
If you would like to join the time honored tradition of feeding birds this time of year, Crossroads would like to offer a few suggestions. After all, when you give a gift, you really ought to choose a gift that the recipient will like.
If you, like the Germans, spread corn on the rooftops, it will probably still be there come spring. What kind of birds around here eat corn? Pheasants, mourning doves, turkeys. These birds would prefer their cracked corn scattered on the ground.
Wheat on a pole probably won't work either. Wheat-eating birds are ground feeders. Birds that visit feeders on poles - finches, chickadees, goldfinches - much prefer black oil sunflower seeds. And if you want cardinals, sunflower seeds on an elevated platform will be most attractive.
The tradition of feeding birds seems to come almost exclusively from countries with harsh or snowy winters.
Find out what "Christmas trees" wildlife prefer in November 22 News
Learn about middens in November 20 News
Crossroads at Big Creek is a mission-driven,
donor-support learning preserve focusing on science, history and the environment. Naturalist programs and lecture
are free unless otherwise noted. The trails of Crossroads are free and open to the public. Pets (on leash and under
control) are permitted but owners are encouraged to help keep the trails clean. Once snow is on the ground, hikers are asked to use designated trails and to avoid the groomed ski trails. The Collins Learning Center is
open Monday, Thursday and Sunday, 1:30 - 5:00, and Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, 11:00 - 3:00 and during scheduled
events. Crossroads at Big Creek is located at the intersection of Highway 42/57 and Michigan Street in Sturgeon
Bay. For more information, call 920.746.5895.
