At my cabin, there are few birds.

Oh, there are ravens, and chickadees, and gold finches.

But for a parcel in the midst of water, I expect more color!

After all, the land is in the middle of the Belgrade Lakes region. And the 20-acre parcel is on the Sandy River.

More than a decade ago, the Maine Sunday Telegram published an informative piece on the disappearance of songbirds.

Writers concluded that the declining habitat was causing the loss of migratory birds.

After viewing my acreage, I must agree.

Of course, there is a heron and an osprey that frequent the riverfront but not much in the form of colorful songbirds.

The most prominent bird on my land is the woodpecker.

They tend to like dying trees, and I've got those in abundance.

The woodpeckers, of course, make their fair share of noise.

And they can be handsome.

But I had always hoped for a greater variety of birds.

This weekend, I am spending big on thistle.

I will pour it into my four birdfeeders.

And I will make water available.

My great hope is to draw some colorful birds, like a cardinal or a scarlet tanager!

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