Karen wrote, "It broke my heart (but yet gave me hope) to see my covey of quail running in confusion on a blackened hillside looking for shelter when I returned to find the ruins of my home. I dumped the rest of my unburnt seed and filled the water bowls with water I had in the car."

Feeding area

Karen had only participated in FeederWatch for one season before the fire came, yet she was already a devoted participant. She has been feeding birds for over five years. She described the feeder area she created that was lost in the fire: "I set up a pretty elaborate wildlife feeding station with many different kinds of feeders and watering stations. My friends called it Disneyland for birds. I had hanging tube feeders, trays, thistle socks, 'house' types, suet feeders, and hummingbird feeders. Most were hanging from poles, or attached to tall posts. I provided a good quality seed mix, black oil sunflower seeds, thistle seed, and suet blocks."

Favorite bird

"My favorite birds at the feeders were the quail," Karen wrote. "It took about two years before they stopped scattering when they perceived movement in the house. Last year was the first year they actually brought young to the feeder area. I love the way they stay in a group, follow in a line, watch out for each other, cluck and chuckle as they feed, and care for their young."

Karen recommends keeping as much native vegetation as possible. Birds are naturally attracted to native plants. Also, she found that providing water attracted birds that are not seed eaters.