Recently our family grew by 4 paws. Annie, an English Springer Spaniel puppy joined our household. She has taught me just how beautiful the frost is on the ground as the sun is rising, to appreciate the joy in running through 4 inches of freshly fallen snow and to listen, really listen when birds are chirping nearby. She is acutely away of noises, that frankly, I would not really even hear. This has brought a greater appreciation of all of the birds in our area, even during the winter.
Birds play a substantial part in keeping our ecosystem healthy. They pollinate plants, disperse seeds, control pests, act as an early warning system for the spread of disease, distribute nutrients, protect wetlands and much more. So much more that they are considered crucial for people and the planet to thrive. Preserving bird diversity helps everyone.
Feeding birds is a win-win situation. It helps the birds themselves but also those who feed them. As a recent bird feeding month theme surmised “If you feed them, they will come.” Here are a few top bird feeding tips.
Place your bird feeders where you can see them. Bird feeding becomes bird watching which can be very enjoyable. Bird watching can be very soothing and entertaining. It can offer a chance to unwind and de-stress.
Begin with a basic feeder such as a tube feeder filled with sunflower seeds.
Bird feeders are generally one of three types. They are either platform hopper or tube type. Platform feeders attract a wide array of birds and are usually the easiest to set up. Hopper feeders hold the greatest amount of food. There are a few different type of tube type feeders. Some are specifically designed to attract small birds such as finches.
Locate your feeders at different levels. Sparrows feed near the ground, cardinals feed in shrubs and woodpeckers feed in trees.
1 part sugar to 4 parts water is a great nectar mix for hummingbirds. Make sure to boil it briefly before putting in into the feeder.
By using a mix of seeds that is diverse you will attract the greatest variety.
Provide suet during cool weather. Peanut butter and cornmeal is a great combination in the summer.
Change your feeders and the corresponding food throughout the seasons. This will help you attract different types of birds over the course of the year.
In addition to bird feeders, make your yard bird-friendly by providing water and a natural habitat that provides shelter.
By storing seed in a metal container, you will keep from inadvertently feeding rodents and squirrels.
Make sure to clean your feeders regularly. This is especially true with hummingbird feeders which should be scrubbed every few days with hot water.
Make sure to rake and remove old bird seed that accumulates under the feeders. It can be harmful to birds.
Provide water for the birds. Make sure to change it every 2-3 days though.
Eliminating the use of insecticides and pesticides in your yard will help protect those birds that are present.
Native plants naturally provide shelter and food for birds. Consider planting a few in your yard.
Birds should not be fed people food like bread or crackers, as they offer no nutritional value.
Want to know what birds have been spotted in your yard? Check out Project Feeder Watch online at feederwatch.org/ Feeder Watch is a network of people that assist in the monitoring of over 100 bird species in North America.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at Kathleen@thegrowingscene.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
