Winter Birding Tips

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Some birds do stick around in winter. Here are a few tips on having them up close and personal in your yard.

     High-fat, high-calorie foods are especially important for birds during the winter. Birds have fewer daylight hours to find food and need more calories to get through cold nights. Add suet nuggets to your seed mix, or smear spreadable suet, called bark butter, onto a tree to give birds an extra boost.
     A good seed mix loaded with sunflower will satisfy most seed eaters. Hang suet feeders during winter. Make them more stable and bird-friendly by nestling them against a tree trunk or branch. Don't be afraid to place them right outside a window-your woodpeckers won't mind!


Think Ahead on Feeding:

If you are pressed for time follow these tips:
    Fill feeders and birdbaths in the midafternoon before the birds go to sleep, so they are well fed to survive the longer colder nights. If the temperatures dip below freezing, add some warm water to your birdbath in the morning.
    Birds are most vulnerable after a snow and ice storm. Brush snow and ice off your feeder and your flowers so birds can harvest leftover seeds, and keep berry bushes clear.

Don't Forget Water!

A clean bird is a warm bird. Clean feathers insulate birds better against the cold, Use an electrical heater to heat your birdbath if it does freezes up so birds can stay clean and get a drink during colder days.
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Baking IS for the Birds

BIRD  CUPCAKES

In the winter, birds benefit from a high-energy suet treat. One of the editors of Birds and Blooms magazine developed this recipe with her kids using cupcake liners to stay mess-free. They are a winner with birds for a special winter treat.

Melt 1 cup shortening and 2 cups chunky peanut butter over low  heat, then mix in 5 cups cornmeal. Fill cupcake tins and top with your choice of nuts, birdseed or dried berries. Cool in the refrigerator. To give as a gift, arrange on a plate or stack then wrap with cellophane. 

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Treat your birds to these high-energy suet treats.