Winter Feeding -- It's For the Birds

The small and simple step of providing seed
during winter can help our little feathered
friends during the winter months. Birds are warm
blooded and need high energy, protein foods
during winter to help maintain their internal
temperature. Most insect disappear during winter
and they rely on seeds, which have become harder
to find because we have farmed the fields that
used to have wild grasses and flowers, some of
which were winter plants, that fed birds during
winter, so a little helping hand is most
welcome.

Backyard birds that spend the winter at home
vary by region. Depending on where you live you
may see finches, sparrows, juncos, quail,
pheasant, mourning doves, chickadees or robins.
Providing a variety of bird food in sheltered
feeders can also make bird watching a breeze,
helping to bring a little bit of spring into the
house even when nature is sleeping.

Choosing a Feeder

The first step is to survey your space. You'll
want to install the feeder where it will be
accessible but still sheltered from the weather
and predators. An eastern or southerly prospect
out of the wind is preferable. Hang or mount the
feeder in an open place near cover so that the
birds can watch for predators and retreat from
them if necessary. Evergreen hedges or trees
work well. Feeders built with wide eaves to
shelter the perches protect both birds and seed
from the elements. While large feeders may seem
more practical because they need to be filled
less often, they can easily become corrupted by
the elements. Check feeders often. Clean them
and remove any wet or frozen seed. Always
install feeders at least six feet from walls or
enclosed porches to prevent window crashers. You
may want to use window clings or sun catchers to
discourage birds from flying into the glass.

What to Feed

When choosing wild bird seed for winter feeding,
several choices stand above the rest. Most common
feeds are made up of millet mixed with other
seeds and nuts and are perfectly adequate for
summer feeding. In the winter, you may want to
supplement standard birdseed with other, more
nutritious bird food. Black oil sunflower seeds
have a higher fat content than normal striped
sunflower seeds. Another good option is suet.
Suet is calorie-dense and packs a serious punch
for keeping birds warm in the wintertime. Buy it
in blocks studded with seeds and hang it in a
cage feeder to discourage raiding by pests.
Peanuts and peanut butter are high in fat and
protein. You can also get creative by hanging
fruit, bread or popcorn from lines and stringing
them in the trees. Never feed salty snacks
intended for human consumption to birds.

Water, Water Everywhere

During the winter months much of the available
water is tied up in frozen, undrinkable forms of
precipitation. As a consequence, many birds may
have difficulty in finding sufficient water.
Birdbaths equipped with heaters or safe,
submersible heating elements can fill this void.
A heated pet dish is another option. Place water
sources near feeders so birds will become aware
of them when they come to feed.

Squirrels and other critters are often hungry
in the wintertime as well. Install feeders out
of jumping reach or protect them with fencing
and consider scattering dried seed corn or
peanuts in the shell to discourage squirrels
from raiding your bird feeders.

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This article is intended to give the reader more
information about feeding wild birds in winter
months, seed resourced from,
http://www.dodsonandhorrellpetfood.co.uk

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