Track your Wild Birds Etc Order

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Winter's Demand

"The North wind doth blow, and we shall have snow, And what will poor robin do then, poor thing?" The start of that old nursery rhyme is a perfect reminder to keep abreast of weather conditions and be prepared with plenty of seed and unfrozen water. February is National Bird Feeding month. It's an occasion championed by the National Bird-Feeding Society to make people aware of songbirds' needs, especially during the worst parts of winter. Winter bird feeding in cold climates requires a little extra attention to details such as: Additional feeders so more birds can feed at one time Snow-free feeders and ice-free bird baths Energy boosters such as suet and peanut butter snacks Windbreaks to shelter feeders from wind, snow and sleet By putting up two or three more feeders, you not only add capacity, you reduce overcrowding at any one station and the potential for the spread of diseases. If your feeders are ice-encrusted or buried under several inches of snow, the birds cannot use them. Be sure feeders are accessible, and also clear a space beneath them so the ground feeding birds are able to find seed. By using a submersible heater or thermostatically controlled bird bath, you ensure a reliable source of available water that the birds can depend on. Even in winter, all birds need water to drink and to maintain their feathers. Put the bird bath within 10 feet of some bushes so there's a place for the birds to escape predators. Suet comes from beef fat and is a high-energy food. It gives birds such as chickadees, woodpeckers, nuthatches and titmice an additional boost to survive the cold. Use it plain, buy commercially prepared suet cakes or make your own treats from recipes found on the Society's website, http://www.birdfeeding.org. Peanut butter also can be served plain. Just pack it into holes drilled out of a small log and hang it up. A windbreak can be as simple as a discarded Christmas tree, firmly angled upwind from your feeding station. The purpose is to offer some protection from the elements that can overwhelm the feeders. Whatever protection you devise will reduce the number of times you need to go out just to sweep clean a feeding area.