This fall consider joining the more than 65 million Americans who enjoy bird watching. You can enjoy the fastest growing hobby in the country (second to gardening) by providing some basic necessities for birds in your backyard. While bird feeders may attract birds in the winter, in order to enjoy birds in your backyard year-round you will need to provide them with food, water, shelter, and a place to raise their young.
Wild animals, including birds, appreciate a gardener who leaves natural food
such as seed heads, twigs, leaves, and dead vegetation in the garden. If you
have put off the task of removing dead stems in your garden consider leaving
some purple coneflowers, asters, goldenrods, black-eyed Susans, and dandelions
for the songbirds in search of food.
As insects hibernate and less food becomes available for the birds, consider
providing supplemental foods. A few well-placed feeders can attract a large
variety of birds. Feeders should be placed in an open space, out of winter winds,
and within five to ten feet of trees or shrubs. The area around the feeder should
be open to allow birds to keep a close eye on the neighbor’s cat. Place feeders
so they are accessible to you year-round. Also pick a location where the mess
of discarded seed shells and bird droppings won’t be a clean-up problem.
Feeding stations should be in use before it snows. Select a feeder made of
durable materials that will keep the seed clean and dry, easy to fill and keep
clean. There are basically two types of feeders: tubular feeders and tray (or
platform or hopper) feeders.
Tray feeders make seeds available for all types of birds. These types allow
for spillage and can attract squirrels.
Tubular feeders may have either openings for niger seed or sunflower seeds.
Birds need fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing. The water source should
be shallow (less than three inches deep), have a gradual slope, and preferable
a non-slip bottom. Place birdbaths on the ground or two or three feet above
ground, in an open area but reasonably close to trees or shrubs. A birdbath
heater will keep ice from forming.
Enjoy watching nature’s feathered friends and probably a few squirrels this
winter. For more information about bird feeding visit Cornell lab of ornithology
Project Feeder Watch Web site at www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/
On the menu
The most effective way to attract the largest variety of birds is
to put out separate feeders for each food. While commercial seed mixes of cereal
grains are inexpensive, they are not favorites of most birds. A feeder filled
with a seed mix will empty quickly because birds are throwing out most of the
seeds in search of better treats.
Black oil sunflower seeds will attract the largest variety of birds. Cardinals,
blue jays, chickadees and finches favor sunflower seeds. Other large seeds that
are a favorite include striped sunflower, safflower, and peanuts. To avoid the
mess of seed hulls, consider purchasing sunflower hearts.
Niger seed, which is grown in Africa and India, is a favorite food of goldfinches.
Often confused with thistle seed, niger seed is sterilized and will not germinate
in our lawns.
Suet is a good choice for attracting insect-eating birds such as woodpeckers,
titmice, nuthatches and chickadees. If starlings are a problem, use a feeder
that forces birds to feed upside down.
This article appears in Nov 6-12, 2003.
