This is not typically the season to hear the birds chirping, the term snow birds often relates to the elderly escaping the wintery blues to camp out in tropical paradise away from upstate New York.

However, winter is a great season to witness feathered fowl foraging for food.

Their bright colors gleam against the pale background of chilling snow or desolate brown grass. The Sterling Nature Center would like to introduce the habits of these cold-weather fowl to the public through their program called Winter Bird Feeders.

There's something humbling about watching tiny birds hop about the lawn splashing seed in their wake.

The nature center will host a program to help those avid bird feeders and watchers learn to identify the birds at your feeders this season.

Participants can plan to create their own bird feeders and once and for all put a name to birds in your backyard.

If you go

What: Winter Bird Feeders

When: 1 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Sterling Nature Center

Cost: Free

For details: Call 947-6143