Get Your Birds Through Winter With These Tips
Fall is here and it's a wonderful time to be doing anything outside.
Preparing flower beds for next year, getting tulip bulbs planted, getting your bird houses checked out and/or replaced, getting the lawn fertilized so it comes up lush and green in the spring, and hundreds of other outdoor projects.
The air is crisp and clean, the fall colors are at their brightest and the weather cooperates at almost every turn.
Fall is one of my favorite times of the year but we all know what fall also means; winter is not too far behind.
If you live in a cold climate your birds need special attention.
Now, I've lived in a cold climate.
For 13 years I lived in a little town called Canton, NY and it was the coldest place I have ever lived.
I worked for Corning Glass Works there and the company actually had banks of electrical outlets attached to every light pole in the parking lot.
When you arrived on a cold winter morning you unrolled your extension cord, plugged it into one of the electrical outlets on the pole and plugged the other end into the block heater in your car.
This kept the water in your engine warm so your car would start when you left for the day.
In a place where temperatures of -30 are not uncommon this was necessary.
If you forgot to plug your car in the oil could get so thick in your engine that it simply would not turn over.
Now I assume most of you do not live in that extreme of an environment.
Still, if you live in the northern half of the country your winter nights can get really cold.
Imagine having to spend all day, every day out in that cold.
That's what the birds you have attracted to your yard have to do.
It's hard on them and this article will tell you a few things you can do to make their days a lot less stressful.
First, and probably most important, is their food supply.
When they come to rely on the food you put out do not let it run out for even a day.
While they are resourceful they have not been looking for other sources of food because of what you have been providing them and locating another source will expend energy they need to keep warm.
Second, feed them high energy foods.
Suet is a great source of energy and so is black oil sunflower seeds.
If you put out suet you will even attract woodpeckers to your property because they love suet.
One caution from personal experience.
Do not buy more sunflower seeds than you can use in a reasonable timeframe.
I once got a great deal on black oil sunflower seeds from a local supply store.
I bought 200 pounds and that was probably going to last me through the winder.
I stored it in my garage and kept the bird feeders filled daily.
Not only does black oil sunflower seed attract birds it also attracts mice.
That much attracts many of them.
Many.
It was a horrible experience and one you should not go through.
If you have a variety of birds coming to your feeders put out a variety of seeds.
Niger seed is loved by Goldfinches, black oil seed is loved by all birds, safflower is good for Chickadees and Titmice and white millet, spread on the ground, is a favorite of Mourning Doves and Juncos.
Another thing to consider is a good source of water.
Birdbaths can be obtained now that are heated and provide your birds with fresh water throughout the winter.
These birdbaths are also much easier to keep clean in the winter because algae simply does not grow in really cold temperatures.
Your birds may find fresh water hard to come by in the winter and a constant source will be extremely welcome to them.
One last thing to consider is a bird warming box, commonly called a roosting box, that a number of birds can get into at the end of the day to get out of cold wind and share body heat with each other.
These boxes can be a life saver in cold climates and your birds will love you for providing them.
So you're now providing food, shelter and a water supply.
Your birds will be thankful and provide you with constant entertainment through the long cold winter days coming and they'll stick close by when spring gets here because they have an excellent environment to raise a family in.
Preparing flower beds for next year, getting tulip bulbs planted, getting your bird houses checked out and/or replaced, getting the lawn fertilized so it comes up lush and green in the spring, and hundreds of other outdoor projects.
The air is crisp and clean, the fall colors are at their brightest and the weather cooperates at almost every turn.
Fall is one of my favorite times of the year but we all know what fall also means; winter is not too far behind.
If you live in a cold climate your birds need special attention.
Now, I've lived in a cold climate.
For 13 years I lived in a little town called Canton, NY and it was the coldest place I have ever lived.
I worked for Corning Glass Works there and the company actually had banks of electrical outlets attached to every light pole in the parking lot.
When you arrived on a cold winter morning you unrolled your extension cord, plugged it into one of the electrical outlets on the pole and plugged the other end into the block heater in your car.
This kept the water in your engine warm so your car would start when you left for the day.
In a place where temperatures of -30 are not uncommon this was necessary.
If you forgot to plug your car in the oil could get so thick in your engine that it simply would not turn over.
Now I assume most of you do not live in that extreme of an environment.
Still, if you live in the northern half of the country your winter nights can get really cold.
Imagine having to spend all day, every day out in that cold.
That's what the birds you have attracted to your yard have to do.
It's hard on them and this article will tell you a few things you can do to make their days a lot less stressful.
First, and probably most important, is their food supply.
When they come to rely on the food you put out do not let it run out for even a day.
While they are resourceful they have not been looking for other sources of food because of what you have been providing them and locating another source will expend energy they need to keep warm.
Second, feed them high energy foods.
Suet is a great source of energy and so is black oil sunflower seeds.
If you put out suet you will even attract woodpeckers to your property because they love suet.
One caution from personal experience.
Do not buy more sunflower seeds than you can use in a reasonable timeframe.
I once got a great deal on black oil sunflower seeds from a local supply store.
I bought 200 pounds and that was probably going to last me through the winder.
I stored it in my garage and kept the bird feeders filled daily.
Not only does black oil sunflower seed attract birds it also attracts mice.
That much attracts many of them.
Many.
It was a horrible experience and one you should not go through.
If you have a variety of birds coming to your feeders put out a variety of seeds.
Niger seed is loved by Goldfinches, black oil seed is loved by all birds, safflower is good for Chickadees and Titmice and white millet, spread on the ground, is a favorite of Mourning Doves and Juncos.
Another thing to consider is a good source of water.
Birdbaths can be obtained now that are heated and provide your birds with fresh water throughout the winter.
These birdbaths are also much easier to keep clean in the winter because algae simply does not grow in really cold temperatures.
Your birds may find fresh water hard to come by in the winter and a constant source will be extremely welcome to them.
One last thing to consider is a bird warming box, commonly called a roosting box, that a number of birds can get into at the end of the day to get out of cold wind and share body heat with each other.
These boxes can be a life saver in cold climates and your birds will love you for providing them.
So you're now providing food, shelter and a water supply.
Your birds will be thankful and provide you with constant entertainment through the long cold winter days coming and they'll stick close by when spring gets here because they have an excellent environment to raise a family in.
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