Small, energetic, sociable and seemingly optimistic, bushtits are common on our Littleton farm. Nevertheless, a flock of 18 roamed about the property this evening, one of the larger flocks that I have encountered.
Attracted by our stands of piñon pine and a wide variety of native shrubs, these tiny songbirds are not the least bit shy, often foraging within a few yards of human observers. Their twittering is usually the first sign of their presence and they tend to wander in parade fashion, making their number easy to assess.
Finding plenty of nourishment on the trees and shrubs (insects, spiders, larvae, eggs) bushtits generally turn down human handouts but surely appreciate our effort to provide a variety of foliage. In return, they spread joy, oblivious of the political and financial headaches that cloud the minds of humans.
