As an avid birder, I like to share tips and sightings with our viewers from time to time. My wife just forwarded a photo of a Common Redpoll in our backyard. While not rare, the Redpoll is most commonly found north of here. Maybe they've come farther south this winter due to the expanse of cold and snow!
Birds expend a tremendous amount of energy during winter to help stay warm. But many of their typical food sources such as insects and seeds are either gone or buried under the snow. That's where we bird lovers can come in to help... by making sure the feeders are full of what birds need this time of year. Here are some suggestions:
Oil sunflower is one of the best overall seeds to offer in the winter. It has a high calorie/ounce ratio due to its high fat and protein content and its relatively thin shell. Oil sunflower has twice the calories per pound than striped sunflower and its smaller shells make less mess when discarded by the birds.
Suet is another favorite among many of the birds that will visit backyards in the winter. Suet is a high-energy, pure-fat substance which is invaluable in winter when insects are harder to find and birds need many more calories to keep their bodies warm. Downy Woodpeckers and Red-Bellied Woodpeckers bang away at my suet feeder from dawn to dusk!
Suet can be fed in a variety of feeders ranging from a suet cage to a wood and cage feeder offering protection from the weather elements and designed to require the birds to hang upside down.
Peanuts are another great food to offer birds in the wintertime. Offering peanuts in a dedicated feeder can provide a good source of protein. I've never used peanuts, but I'm sure the birds would like a handful of Planters or similar!
Birds also need a source of water in winter. While it may be impractical for the typical bird lover, heated bird baths are available for less than $100 at many hardware and garden stores.
Most experts agree that by following these tips, you'll have no problem attracting a regular audience of hungry birds to your yard. Cardinals, Blue Jays, Chickadees, Juncos, Goldfinches, Sparrows, Nuthatches and Woodpeckers are among the most frequent visitors in my yard. Let me know who shows up at your place!
