The winter days are short, it’s usually very cold, and we have a snow or ice covered landscape. It is winter and should I waste my outdoor time hoping to add to my annual bird list?

Well finding some time outside might be the best thing to get you out of the winter doldrums.

In the first 22 days of the new year I’ve managed to get in the pickup and make a few short trips to some of my “old reliable” winter birding areas.

It might surprise you that this cold January has offered up 40 different bird species.

If you have a bird feeder or feeding stations you probably have hosted about a dozen species.

The usual year round residents, such as northern juncos, cardinals, blue jays, house finches and chickadees are probably regulars there.

Depending on where you live, white-breasted nuthatches, downy and red-bellied woodpeckers, mourning doves, and tufted titmice may be feeding there too.

When mid-October begins leaf drop, the resident birds get an influx of white-throated sparrows joining them. Later when snow covers the fields and fence rows, the “white throats” might be the most common bird you’ll find. My feeders and the ground beneath them are fueling a dozen or more each day. Only the juncos and mourning doves outnumber them.

So how did I find 40 species in less than a month?

Traveling to the gym everyday takes me over a few miles of Carbon County roads to peruse for birds. I’ve added bald eagles, turkey vultures, starlings and a few red-tailed hawks just on my round trips.

However, I do like two old faithful spots, not too far out of the way, to pick up the extra birds that might escape your eyes. Parryville Dam (on the lower end of Pohopoco Creek) and Beltzville Reservoir attract and hold a few waterfowl for me to find.

Mallard ducks, black ducks, buffleheads (a diving duck), common mergansers, and hooded mergansers helped me reach the 40 bird list.

The Carbon County Environmental Education Center might be closer to you and can help bolster your list. I’m sure you haven’t driven anywhere without seeing Canada geese or rock doves (pigeons.)

With a little footwork and the proper attire you can add a few more species.

I can’t resist a fresh snow cover to reveal where some turkeys were scratching away the snow cover to find a few acorns or on a field edge to reveal some grass hidden below the white blanket.

A few crows landed on the edge of a harvested corn field and their zigzag tracks led to an ear or two of corn. Check out the trees bordering a field and maybe you’ll see a Cooper’s hawk scanning for a bird meal.

Bonuses on my cold/snowy birding routes also allowed me to pick out a feeding red fox, a bunch of gray and red squirrels and upon opening a bluebird box to clean, I surprised a pair of white footed mice that made it their temporary home. Bundle up, grab your binoculars and camera, and find a “birdy looking spot” for a short nature walk. Get out there.

Test Your Outdoor Knowledge: Which of these sparrow species will you not find here during January or February? A. chipping B. tree C. song D. white-throated

Last Week’s Trivia Answer: It is true, even though we will have some harsh winter conditions, both the great horned owl and the bald eagle will begin laying their eggs shortly.

Contact Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com.