Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, FEbrUAry 7, 2025 Saugus Gardens in the Winter Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener F ebruary has been National Bird Feeding Month since 1994. This month was chosen because it is the month that is most difficult for birds to find food, as seeds and nuts produced in the fall may have run out or are hard to access because of a snow covering. Each year the month is given a different theme, and for 2025 it is “Be a Hero – #Feed the Birds.” A more recently established holiday is Feed the Birds Day, February 3, which did not become official until 2018. The black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is a frequent visitor to our feeders – as is the downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) – where they enjoy a variety of seeds, especially sunflower seeds. Since these two birds are not very large, they often feed at the same time as goldfinches and tufted titmice. They usually fly off when larger birds like the cardinals and blue jays, or even larger mourning doves and starlings, arrive to take their turn at the feeders. The woodpeckers are also frequently seen hopping up and down the branches and trunks of trees, seeking insects, such as borers, in the wood. They will peck at places where there are holes in the wood that indicate eggs have been laid there and eggs, or later in the season larvae, might be found. At this time of year, there are few if any active larvae, and insect eggs are more difficult to detect since they do not make any sounds, so they appreciate the various seeds that can A dusting of snow covers every surface on the Saugus River near Elm Street. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) be found in bird feeders. One of the most popular and colorful birds to frequent the feeder at this time of year is the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). While they do fly up onto the feeder at times, they seem to prefer sitting in a nearby shrub and watching for seed to be kicked out by other birds at the cylindrical feeder onto the ground. We have had several light snows in the past few weeks, only a few inches falling each time, so cleanup is not very difficult. Due to the persistent cold, a thin snow cover has covered lawns and the forest floor, highlighting the tracks of animals even after several sunny days. While it seems like we are having a snowy winter compared to last year, it is still a far cry from the “snowmageddon” of a decade ago, or the record-breaking blizzard of ’78, when Route A primrose on a windowsill brings thoughts of spring and the warm colors of Valentine’s Day. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) 128 had abandoned cars for days. Despite our having several snowstorms, most of this year’s precipitation left only a few inches each time. Beside the Saugus River where it flows under Elm Street near Pranker’s Mills, leaning tree trunks and rocks along the shoreline show off their covering of snow beside the dark water as it flows on toward the Saugus Iron Works. As the river continues seaward beyond the Iron Works, there are several more twists and turns near the Iron Works and beyond. Eventually it widens enough for the lobster boats at the pier on Ballard Street. Near the Lynn line at Vitale Park, the snow clung not only to the tables and benches near the pier but also to the “Artorius” statue. To get vivid colors from flowers this month, we have to head back indoors. Fairy primrose (Primula malacoides) is just one of several primrose species that celebrate spring. The This male cardinal is looking for food from his perch on an elderberry bush. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) name “primrose” – derived from “prime” or first – is a reminder that primroses are among the first flowers of spring. Fairy primrose is not one of the most common species, but its prolific clusters of flowers can last many weeks. This species is native to China and India and blooms in several colors, including the bright pink above, as well as purple, red and white. All have the cheery bright yellow cenA chickadee (left) and female downy woodpecker share a seed wreath. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) The statue “Artorius” in Vitale Park has gathered some snow after Sunday night’s gentle flurries. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) ters and can be grown in part shade. This species is not hardy enough to be planted outdoors, but there are several hardier species, like the pink or white kiso primrose (Primula kisoana) and the yellow cowslip (Primula veris), that thrive down to zone 3, and common primrose (Primula vulgaris), which does well down to zone 4. In Saugus we are considered zone 6. It is important to remember that these plants prefer shade, and their soil should not be allowed to dry out indoors or out. Editor’s Note: Laura Eisener is a landscape design consultant who helps homeowners with landscape design, plant selection and placement of trees and shrubs, as well as perennials. She is a member of the Saugus Garden Club and offered to write a series of articles about “what’s blooming in town” shortly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was inspired after seeing so many people taking up walking.
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