When it gets cold and the winter winds blow, many “snow bunnies” move south to live in warmer weather. Many birds migrate south also, taking advantage of milder temperatures and southern cuisine with a greater variety of insects and seeds. However, you have many year-round residents who are joined by other birds that migrate only as far as your backyard so it is important to create a living area that is enticing to them.

Check over your back yard. Provide a pile of brush or bushes for birds and animals to hide in when predators approach. Small birds will look for shelter from sparrow hawks and other predators. Leave dead trees standing through the winter so woodpeckers can find food and build nests in cavities. Consider providing plants and trees with fruits and berries. The search for food starts at dawn and continues till dusk. If birds are able to eat enough, they will store enough energy to survive a very cold winter’s night. Then they start the process all over again for another day.

Meals for your winter birds must be served in appropriate bird feeders and not just thrown on the ground where it can be spoiled by dampness, mold and pesticides. Choose a location that has easy access for you, so the bird feeders can be refilled in cold weather. Select a place where discarded seed shells and bird droppings won’t be a cleanup problem. Place your feeders out of reach of the neighborhood cats and other predators. The most effective way to attract a large variety of birds to your yard is to put out separate feeders for each of your banquets for the birds.

Don’t forget that even in winter, birds need to drink. Eating snow (if there is any) just doesn’t get it. Sometimes the birds suffer more for lack of water than food. A heated birdbath with fresh unfrozen water will prove attractive to many of your winter visitors.

Most garden bird’s staple diet is usually, fruit and berries, nuts and seeds, insects, worms and grubs, Very tasty.

To really help the bird out this winter you could string p some monkey nuts. Buy some peanuts in their shells and thread a sharp wool needle with a length of wool with a knot in the end of it. Push the needle through the middle of the peanut shell and out of the other side, it’s a bit like threading beads. Thread on more monkey nuts in this way until the wool is almost full. Unthread the needle, make a loop in the wool that is left and tie a knot to keep the nuts and the loop in place. Use the loop to hang the nuts from the bird-table or tree.

You could also make a tasty bird-cake…

Add to a bowl some chopped up bacon rind, leftover chicken bits from Sunday dinner, a few peanuts, a few raisins and frozen peas, some shelled sunflower seeds if you have any, some diced apple and a couple of heaped table spoons of flour and mix well. Add some water and mix to create dough.

Mould into a ball shape and leave it over night on the kitchen windowsill to dry. By morning it will be hard and ready to leave out on a bird table or lawn for the birds to peck at.

It’s just as important the water is left out as well as food. In the winter, water turns to ice and the birds do not have access to drinking water. Leave a dish with fresh water in it out in your garden for the birds, and check it on really cold mornings to make sure it hasn’t turned to ice.

Some of the UK’s bird population are becoming endangered, this means that their population numbers are falling. Organisations like the RSPB do valuable work to protect and monitor endangered breeds of bird. You could monitor the birds yourself during the winter months, spend an hour each day for a week recording all the birds that visit your garden or bird-table. Bird watching is also known as twitching.

There is a chart on the website, a list of UK winter birds that you may see. Each bird has an illustration to help you to identify which breed it is, and there is some information about each birds preferred habitat. Some birds are residents of the UK, which means they like here all year round, others just visit for the winter.

Some birds on the list are endangered, so some of the birds are rarer than others; but you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them. Maybe you could tempt them into your garden with a bit of tasty bird-cake.

A great source of high calorie, or high energy food is suet. Suet is raw beef fat, typically taken the animal’s kidneys and loins. Because of its high fat content it is very high in energy. It is often combined with some other high energy foods like nuts to make it very attractive to a wide range of birds, such as nuthatches, woodpeckers, wrens, cardinals, bluebirds. On the flip side, it can also attract squirrels and some pest birds as well, such as starlings. One thing many people so is use a caged feeder to discourage the squirrels from poaching the suet. Another thing to try with starlings is a suet feeder that only has a cage opening on the bottom, as they will not usually feed that way but many other birds will.

Suet usually goes through a process called rendering, which gives it the lard like appearance and an almost waxy like texture. It is usually shaped like a small block, similar in size and shape to a simple sandwich. It can be mounted in a feeder that simply hangs it on a tree, in cages that can be hung from tree branches, or there are some hopper type feeders that hold bird seed in the hopper, and have suet cages on the side, which can serve to feed several types of birds at one time.

Another popular approach is to use suet ball, which often have a string so they can simply be hung from tree branches. To keep pests away, one favorite trick is to flavor the suet with pepper. The pepper will discourage mammals like squirrel, but the birds are unaffected by the pepper.

The winter months also make it tough to keep water available to your outdoor wildlife. The cooler temperatures work quickly on devices like bird feeders since they are designed to be shallow, which means they will freeze up fairly fast. One way to deal with this is to buy a heated bird bath. But if you already have a favorite bird bath, another simple solution is to use a bird bath heater. This are simple coils, usually powered off the household current, and will have a thermostat built in so they will keep the water at a reasonable temperature will thawing it nicely for the birds to use.

Just a few simple ideas like this will help keep your local bird population healthy and ready to sing when the spring thaw eventually comes.

Bird Feeders

Bird feeders come in all shapes and sizes, often accommodating the different ways birds eat. For example, juncos and sparrows forage on the ground, so platform feeders easily meet their needs. Meanwhile, finches and chickadees are drawn to tube bird feeders filled with seed.

If you place a few bird feeders of various styles and use a combination of seed, fruit, and nutmeats, you can greatly increase the number and variety of visiting birds. In fact, adding to the variety of food you provide for the birds will more than proportionately add to the variety of birds at your bird feeders.

Bird Baths

A water feature, like a birdbath, has a magnetic effect on birds, as long as you pay attention to a few details.

Change the water every few days to keep it clean and healthy.
Add a drip or mister to your birdbath to maximize your bird traffic – moving water is far more effective at attracting wild birds than still water.
In the winter, you will need to keep the water from freezing. A submersible birdbath heater will keep the birds coming, even in snowy weather.

Roosting Box

The birdwatcher who can provide a bit of protection from the cold winter nights will likely be rewarded with a greater variety and frequency of birds at their feeders. Wild bird roosting boxes are built to accommodate several individuals. The lucky birds, now sheltered from wind and rain, can huddle together for warmth. Imagine a clean, fully stocked bird feeder just a few yards away from the roosting box. That would be a very busy and entertaining place in the winter.

Place your roosting box on a metal or wooden post, on a tree, or on the side of a building. Make sure it is facing away from prevailing winds. If you can mount the roosting box so that it faces south, it will get the most warmth from the sun in winter.

Whether you purchase a wild bird roosting box or you make one of your own, make sure it meets these criteria:
The roosting box, unlike a nest box, should not have ventilation or drainage holes – the idea is to keep heat from escaping.
Roosting boxes built in a horizontal orientation may have a few perches that extend from one side of the box to the other, while vertical roosting boxes will likely have several shorter perches that are mounted in a stagger pattern. Either way, there must be plenty of room for several birds.
The entrance hole should be located at the bottom of the roosting box. Heat rises, so an entrance hole placed too high will cause the roosting box to lose heat.
The roosting box needs to be accessible for cleaning purposes. The top or the front of the box should be hinged for easy opening.

One or more bird feeders, a birdbath with a drip or mister, and a nearby roosting box are the makings of a successful winter of wild bird feeding. Go put your triple play together today, and enjoy the results. Happy birding!

The “conventional wisdom” has always been that you should feed wild birds in winter because their normal source of food – small seeds and insects – has dramatically diminished. But is the conventional wisdom correct? By attracting birds to our feeders, are we making them too dependent on a free source of food, and weakening their ability to find food on their own? Do we actually put birds at greater risk because of cats and flying into windows?

These are not easy questions to answer because there has been little research into the subject. However a three-year study of chickadees by the University of Wisconsin found that winter survival rates were highest among chickadee populations that were fed – but only during the harshest winters. During more moderate winters (and lower latitudes) there were no significant differences in survival rates and spring hatching rates between chickadees that were fed and those that foraged for themselves.

What if the feeders are removed? Can chickadees “remember” how to find food on their own? In a similar study, feeders were suddenly removed after conditioning the birds to feeders for many years. The birds immediately resumed feeding on their own. Again, survival rates were the same as for chickadees that were not used to feeders. While more research needs to be done, these studies indicate that feeding chickadees – and presumably, other wild birds – does not result in feeder dependency.

Some argue that feeders put birds at risk because of the presumed greater risk of predation. However, birds that eat from feeders eat more in less time than if they forage in the wild, giving them more time to watch for predators. You can minimize the risk to birds at your feeder by placing feeders where they are inaccessible by cats, and by adding tape or decals to your windows so birds won’t fly into them.

That’s the research. Now, if you do want to feed wild birds this winter, here are some specific things you can do to keep your wild birds well fed.

Birdscape your yard. Both deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs provide seeds and shelter. In the spring, they provide nesting places. Ornamental grasses also provide food and shelter for ground birds. Perennial flowers that have been allowed to go to seed can also provide food over the winter.

Provide a source of water. Wild birds need water, even in winter. Obviously, freezing is an issue, so a heater is a necessity. Also, birds like moving water, and water jigglers are available as well. Locate your bird bath where you can see it so you can enjoy watching the birds frolic in the water.

Selecting a Feeder. There is a huge variety of feeders on the market, but some are better than others. Steel, aluminum, plastic or glass feeders have an advantage over wood because they are easier to keep clean and will probably last longer. Look for feeders with metal components and feeding ports, as they will last longer than plastic.

The feeder should keep the food dry in wet weather. Feeders are available with domes or roofs that will help keep the food dry. If the feeder is a platform style (as opposed to a tube style) make sure there are drain holes in the bottom.

Squirrels and Raccoons are a constant problem, as they will empty a feeder, denying your wild birds their food. They will destroy a wood or plastic feeder by chewing though it, so the additional cost of a well-made feeder is money well spent. Some squirrel-proof feeders are quite effective, but proper installation is the real key to keeping moochers off your feeders.

Maintaining your feeder. The most important part of maintaining your feeder is ensuring that the food is fresh and clean. A huge feeder with a “ten pound capacity” is not necessary or even desirable because it is likely the food will spoil before it is eaten. Some very good tube feeders will hold a lot of food, but the purpose of the long tube is to prevent squirrels from hanging from the top, not for huge food capacity.

After a rain or period of damp weather, inspect your feeders and discard any food that has gotten wet. Wet food will coagulate in the feeder, blocking food from naturally dropping to the feeding ports. Also, wet food is a breeding ground for algae and mold that will discourage birds from eating and may make them sick.

Set up more than one feeder with different types of food – perhaps sunflower seeds in one, and finch food in another.

Your feeders should be installed to minimize the chances of predation. The primary preditors are cats, so the feeder must be installed so that cats cannot climb or jump to the feeding area.

Bottom line – don’t feel you are doing your birds harm by feeding them during the winter. Follow the above suggestions, and you can enjoy your wild birds all winter long.

One of the harshest facts about the winter months, especially in the northern states, is that many factors combine to make it hard for birds to find food.  First, there is just less of it.  Plants that many birds might feed on, such as berries, have just stopped producing in many areas, and those birds that like to feed on the insect population will find that there it has pretty much disappeared, either dying out or hibernating during the cold months.  So finding a good source of food is a challenge.

The other thing to keep in mind is that because birds are warm blooded, and wintertime is so much colder, they need a very high source of energy to keep warm enough to survive.  Much of the bird seed available these days doesn’t really provide much in the way of calories or energy.  That’s why suet feeders are a favorite for winter time bird feeders.

Suet is raw beef fat, typically taken from around the kidneys and loins. Because of its high fat content it is very high in energy.  Suet is one of the best foods to attract nuthatches, woodpeckers, wrens, titmice, chickadees, thrashers, cardinals, bluebirds and many other types of birds.  And, as usual with bird feeders, it can attract some less desirable wildlife like starlings and squirrels.  So, if these are a problem, you may want to use a suet feeder with a cage, and for starlings try a feeder covered on all sides but the bottom, which will feed many other birds but discourage starlings.

Depending on the type of suet you use, it can start to melt and go rancid at temperatures above 70 degrees F, so take care to empty after the spring thaw.

Another thing to keep in mind is the wintertime need for water.  Obviously, with freezing temperatures, the availability of water outdoors will drop, and a typical bird bath will freeze over fairly quickly since they are designed to be shallow.

There are many heated bird baths, but probably the easiest way to solve this problem is to add a bird bath heater to your existing bath.  Make sure that the bird bath is made from a material that can take the heat, some resins may melt.  Also be sure that the heater has a thermostat so it won’t overheat the water as well.

With a few simple steps like this, you can make sure that the birds in your yard are going to make it through the winter.

Even the most novice bird watcher places a bird feeder out in
winter, what strikes me, is the number of experienced bird
watchers who do not provide water for the birds during winter.

The energy expanded looking for a fresh water source could be
better used for staying well and surviving the winter.

All wildlife needs water, Summer or Winter.

Birds, like humans, need water all year. By investing in a
heated bird bath or by adding a bird bath heater to your
existing bird bath, you’ll be providing the greatest resource
birds need in order to survive.

Bird bath heaters are usually available wherever bird feeding
supplies are offered. Check local hardware stores, large
discount stores, and online.

Heated bird baths are most commonly found on-line. These are
complete bird baths with the heater built into the bath.

When using either of these types, make sure your power source is
safe. If you are unsure, hire an electrician to check it out or
to install a GFCI outlet on the outside of your house. These
types of outlets provide saftey for outdoor bird baths and any
other electrical tools used in the yard.

Place your heated bird bath near your feeders for easier
viewing. Even birds that don’t normally visit your feeders will
visit your bird bath. All backyard birds need water. Also, when
placing your bath, make sure there is cover for the birds. Water
on the feathers make birds easy targets for prey.

Do not place the bird bath too close to cover, otherwise cats
can hide and attack the birds more easily, a few yards will be
adequate.

The recommended type of bird bath, is the pedestal style. These
give the birds more security by being 2 or more feet above
ground. This height allows birds to view their surroundings and
any would be predators. Any bird bath can be used.

By providing water for birds this winter, you’ll not only be
providing a service to our winter birds, but you’ll have a
greater diversity of birds and more of them to watch. And…

Isn’t that what makes bird watching so much fun