“Feeding Birds in the Winter”
Looking for birds this winter? Then start preparing in
the fall otherwise your yard may remain empty no matter
how tantalizing the treats and abundant the offerings.
“Why Do I Need to Start in the Fall?”
Birds are already planning their mid-winter meals early
in the fall. During the winter they will need more food
to keep warm than they did in the milder months but
much of their natural food supplies will be hard to
access. Berries, seeds and insects have disappeared or
gone under cover of frost and snow.
While you may not find much attention paid to a full
feeder in the fall, be assured that the local wild
birds are taking note. They will be looking for easy
food sources for later on – checking the type and
quantity of food available. Once they have found
several good sources they will be sure to make an
appearance when the cold weather comes.
“What if I Wait Until Winter?”
The problem with waiting until the winter to start your
supply is that the birds will already have found their
food sources. With the colder weather they can’t waste
energy searching for new sources. Making sure they know
where you are earlier in the year will improve your
chances at being a first stop instead of a last
resort.
“How Do I Attract Them?”
Water is a big draw – especially in winter when other
sources may have frozen solid. Offering fresh water
daily will encourage birds to your yard for feeding as
well. You could also try a warmer for your bird bath.
Some warmers will turn on when the water is near
freezing, ensuring a plentiful supply of unfrozen water
for your guests.
To attract as many varieties of birds as possible,
distribute the feed on a variety of surfaces and
levels. Even if your feeder is well stocked, certain
types of birds will prefer a different area from the
rest.
Offer some feed in a tree hanging feeder, distribute
more seed on the ground and more on ledges or railings.
Placing it where you can easily see the birds will
provide you the most entertainment.
“What If I Leave During the Winter?”
Due to their scouting early in the fall your feathered
friends will know of other sources of food if yours
runs out. However, if you’re not away make sure to keep
the supply available or you may just loose your pals to
a more diligent neighbor!
This article on Feeding Birds in the Winter is brought to you by www.backyard-gardening.com
Tags: cold weather, fall birds, food supplies, plentiful supply, seeds, wildbirdsTags: cold_weather, fall_birds, food_supplies, plentiful_supply, seeds, wildbirds