Not all birds are lucky enough to migrate south for the winter. When the temperature drops and our feathered friends’ food sources become scarce, head to the Kensington Metropark Nature Center in Milford, Michigan, for the most unusual bird-feeding experience around. Hungry Chickadees, Tufted Titmice and White-breasted Nuthatches will be eating out of your hand, literally.
These common hand-feeders aren’t afraid to nibble black oil sunflower seeds from your palm and keep flying back for more. And if you stand still, hold your arm out straight with a hand full of seeds and wait patiently, these adorable birds will swoop down, flit about momentarily and land gently to eat. Once you experience the first tickle of a black-capped chickadee’s toes perched on your finger, the chilly winter temperatures become a distant memory.
If befriending these charming birds and identifying the chickadee’s familiar “chicka-dee-dee-dee” call or the Tufted Titmouse’s fast, clear “peter-peter-peter” whistle isn’t enough to keep the kids entertained, play “I Spy” on the self-guided nature trail. The dazzling colors of blue jays and cardinals pop against the snowy white background and wild turkeys blend into their habitats.
Arrive at the Nature Center before 10 a.m. to feed the birds and avoid field-trip crowds. When it’s time to warm up, head inside to see live displays of snakes, turtles and fish. Naturalists answer any questions from 1–5 p.m. on Monday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.