Tips for Attracting Birds to a Winter's Bounty

Tips for Attracting Birds to a Winter's Bounty

With fall migration, we say goodbye to the breathtaking songs and colors of the summer songbirds. Many backyard birdwatchers welcome the winter residents that brighten the cold days with flashes of chestnut brown, fire-engine red, and ivory white. Here are a few useful tips to help attract a plethora of species to your backyard this winter.

Wintering birds require three important things to get through the winter: food, shelter, and access to water. Many birds that subsist on insects during the summer rely on seeds, fruits, and nuts to get them through the winter. Birds visiting your feeders will become dependent on your feed; it is important to keep feeding from October through late April or early May. Different species prefer different types of seed based on their diet and foraging habits. At first glance, premixed bird feed may seem like a good idea, but blends often contain uneaten filler, such as red millet, oats, and wheat. Black-oil sunflower seed attracts the largest variety of species. Some species you may see include Black-capped Chickadees, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, Evening Grosbeaks, Dark-eyed Juncos, and wintering sparrows. By adding cracked corn, white millet, niger, and suet, your feeders can support several other species such as Common Redpolls, nuthatches, and woodpeckers.

It is important to place feeders close to shrubs and trees to provide shelter from hawks, cats, and harsh weather. However, place your feeder ten to fifteen feet away from shrubbery to discourage squirrels. Some examples of excellent habitat include holly shrubs, red osier dogwood, plume grass, bayberry, birch trees, and winterberry holly. These plants also produce berries that provide a natural food source. Birds need water to drink and bathe to insulate their feathers from the cold. When all puddles have frozen, a heated bird bath could be a good solution. If you do not have a heated unit, refill your bath periodically throughout the day or use a stick to prevent your bird bathe from cracking.

It may take several days for birds to find your feeders. Be patient and remember that the frequency of their return is dependent on the type of seed you put out and the location of your feeders. With these suggestions, you can transform your backyard into an excellent habitat for wintering birds, where you can enjoy the flutter of feathers all winter long.

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