MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • December 10, 2023
“Where are the birds!?” This fall has been exceptional for mast, which we’ll generalize as the “fruit of the forest.” There is an abundance of acorns and pine cones this year. Mast years can occur for a variety of reasons; this year it was likely due to the very wet summer we had. With so much natural food on the landscape, birds, and even squirrels don’t need to come to feeders for the food we put out for them because nature has provided lots of better quality (higher nutritional value) food. We’ve also had a number of very warm days this fall, allowing insects to stay active later. Insects are the best protein source that most birds are going to have until spring. With so much natural food on the landscape, birds, and even squirrels don’t need to come to feeders for the food. ~ Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist Doug Hitchcox