I’m thankful for the birds that are around in the winter!
Two of my favorite birds fly south for the winter—robins and hummingbirds. My personal first day of spring hearing that first robin and hummingbirds are such a delight as they flit around my gardens. I miss them.
But our state bird, the Northern Cardinal, is a bright sight on our winter days. I am thrilled when they come to my birdfeeder and even more so when they are joined by Black-Capped Chickadees, Dark-Eyed Juncos, Downy and Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, etc.
Our winter birds are smart enough to find food in the most difficult of situations, but it is a big help to keep your feeders full until late spring. Birds expend a lot of energy looking for food, so if they can rely on you, I’m sure they would thank you.
It’s best to stick to individual birdseed instead of mixes. I filled my birdfeeder (once!) with a mix and watched a picky eater fling the seed she didn’t like far and wide. The feeder was empty in two days! I buy safflower seed and hang some suet cakes. If you’re new to feeding birds, be patient. It may take them a few days to find your feeder and add it to their daily routine.
Water is important, too. A heated birdbath is very affordable and greatly appreciated for both drinking and bathing.
Both birdfeeders and birdbaths need to be kept clean. Every other month or so when my birdfeeder is empty, I remove any seed that is stuck in the corners and scrub with a weak solution of diluted vinegar (one part distilled white vinegar and nine parts water). After a rinse, I let it dry for a day and then refill the feeder. There are commercial bird feeder cleaner sprays, too.
If you notice that the seed is clumping, it’s time to clean your feeder. Throw away the seed as it’s likely that it’s beginning to mold. If birds stop coming to your feeder, it’s time to clean it. Your birdbaths can be cleaned with the same solution. If you need to scrub it, use baking soda. Be sure to rinse well.
Look for our winter birds. They are as beautiful as they are tough. Let’s give them a helping hand.
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