As winter quickly approaches, it is time to start thinking about taking out the bird feeders. Feeding the birds is a great way to help our feathered friends throughout the winter months, especially when food sources become scarce.
Food is always important, but over the winter it becomes even more so, as birds tend to have a higher metabolic rate to keep them warm in cold temperatures which requires more energy, and this comes from the food they eat. Feeding wild birds not only benefits the birds, but it also adds song and living colour to your yard and is a fun hobby that can be enjoyed from your window.
To attract birds to your yard, you have to make it appealing. Birds seek out shelter and cover from the winter weather. Large-sized trees work well for this, as do roosting boxes. They also seek protection from predators such as cats and dogs, which is something to consider when placing your bird feeders.
Put bird feeders in a sheltered area, away from the wind and in a sunny southeastern location. Placing them under a large tree, or near a bush or wooded area works well. Don't forget to make sure that you can see the feeder from your window if you want to watch the wild birds. Don't place the feeder too close to the house as you don't want the birds to collide into a window.
There are a number of different feeders available. Hopper feeders work well as they hold large amounts of food protecting it from the elements and slowly release the seeds into the tray as the birds eat it. Open platform feeders are a favourite for birds because of the easy access to the seed. The bird sits on the edge of the platform and enjoys its meal. Platform feeders are somewhat open to the elements and so only put a few days worth of seed on the tray. Choose platform feeders that have a roof on them to protect the seed.
Silo feeders, as the name implies, are long tubes with openings and perches along the silo for birds to perch on. These work well for smaller-sized birds that feed on smaller seed. Also available are combination feeders that are a hopper feeder with a suet cage on the side. These work great as they serve two different types of bird food. You can also purchase suet feeders which basically are a metal cage that hold a suet cake or fruit.
If you already have feeders remember to scrub them with a mild bleach solution before filling them. It is a good idea to clean feeders on a monthly basis to help prevent the spread of disease. Also, throw out any seed that has been spoiled or gotten old.
When it comes to bird food, there is a variety to choose from, which appeal to different birds. To get a variety of birds, choose a variety of seeds and feeders. Black oiled sunflower seeds are a favourite as they are high in protein and the oil from the seeds is much higher in fat and contains more calories than the striped sunflower seeds. If you don't like the mess from the shells, choose the shelled type. Other options are nuts, suets, nyger seeds and seed blends. When looking at mixed seed blends, choose a high-quality blend as some of the less expensive blends have fillers that the birds don't like and it will only be wasted.
Suet is also a great choice for birds as it is made up of fats and provides high amounts of energy. It comes in different flavours like berries and nuts. As you start to feed the birds you will see what works best in your yard. It is important to keep the bird feeders filled with food throughout the winter as the birds will begin to rely on those food sources.
Bird feeding is an enjoyable pastime and a bird feeder filled with bird food would make a great gift for anyone of any age. You are never too young or old to enjoy nature.
