One of the many reasons Meadowood resident Helene Boclair and her husband first moved to Meadowood 10 years ago was Meadowood allowed residents to feed birds. “As a backyard bird enthusiast long before moving to Meadowood, I was thrilled to know I could continue to feed birds,” she says. So she brought her birdfeeders, and poles, and filled them with birdseed. Helene says it took a few days for birds to find the feeders.
Surrounded by wooded areas and a nature preserve, Meadowood’s 135-acre campus is perfect for birdwatching. There are some active adult communities with a similar setting but do not permit bird feeders near buildings. “Meadowood lets you put them in your back yard,” she says proudly. Some residents have even started a birding group. One resident has counted all the varieties of birds on campus — about 98 — and even spotted a bald eagle.
Helene, however, can’t pinpoint what she likes best about birds. “I don’t know, I’m just kind of mesmerized by them,” she says. “In my prior home, I always glanced outside to see what they’re up to.” She says that one day she witnessed two blue jays, her favorite bird species, having an aerial dispute 2 feet off the ground.
She used to put out peanuts in a dish on her patio for blue jays (and squirrels, she adds with a laugh). Referring to the birds as picky eaters, Helene says some blue jays would pick up peanut, shake it, leave it on the table. Another would put all the peanuts back in the dish as if it were too messy. Another took a peanut, tucked it into the grass, covered it with a leaf, and left. That afternoon, the bird came back and took the peanut.
This reinforces Helene’s belief that the word “birdbrain” is a misnomer. “Birds are very smart,” she says. “They know how to solve problems.” She has several books about birds, and recommends Birds of Pennsylvania to anyone interested in learning more. It organizes the birds by color and includes their eating habits and other characteristics.
Today, Helene has three squirrel-proof bird feeders in her yard, along with one Bird Buddy, a bird feeder with a built-in digital camera that captures photos of birds, identifies them, and alerts the user via a mobile phone app. Helene fills up three feeders almost daily, and one twice a day. “I get at least 15 varieties of birds in my backyard every day,” she says. “They’re eating me out of house and home!”
When Helene isn’t feeding or watching her flying friends, she enjoys aerobics or simply walking around Meadowood’s lush campus. “I’m actually way too busy to find time for me,” she says, “and that’s good.”
Helene is on the Board of Directors at Meadowood, explaining that two residents serve for a single three-year term; she is beginning her third year. She’s also a member of the Marketing, Building, Master Plan, and Community Advancement committees. “I really get to see a good cross-section of what’s going on at Meadowood,” she shares.
Meadowood has truly become Helene’s home, her family. The birds, too, have made Meadowood their home, quite literally.
“This is my home,” Helene says, adding that, thanks to Meadowood’s progressive board and President/CEO Paul Nordeman, there’s a vision for the future. “This community will be forever. And I hope long after I’m gone.”
