Northern Cardinal
On Thursday, December 17th, we experienced our first significant snow fall of the season! Snow days are the best days. On this day, I had the pleasure of staying home and photographing birds from our backyard.
While photographing these fascinating creatures, I came to the conclusion that it’s not easy being a bird (or any mammal) in the winter. Although birds are perfectly capable of surviving without human assistance, we can certainly help make their lives easier during the cold months. Birds really only need the essentials to survive. Help support our feathered friends from your yard by providing the following:
Dark-eyed Junco
Water - We keep our bird bath out during all seasons. Although it freezes over at times, the birds enjoy it year-round. Before purchasing the bird bath, I would put a bowl of water by the feeder. Birds, squirrels, and chipmunks would stop by to quench their thirst.
Tufted Titmouse
Food - If you don’t have bird feeders already, consider purchasing some. I enjoy platform feeders, nyjer feeders, suet feeders (can be purchased for under $3.00), and tube feeders! They will bring hours of enjoyment while supporting local wildlife. In the winter, keep your birds energized by providing nutritious, high calorie foods such as suet, black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, and peanuts. I also like to purchase a big bag of mixed seed and blend it with a smaller bag of black oil sunflower seeds. You can also help birds after snow has accumulated by sprinkling seeds under trees and shrubs, this is really helpful to birds like the Dark-eyed Junco.
Shelter - Birds nest in natural shelters such as tree cavities, tall grass, thicket, and shrubs. But you can help provide them with more options! Leave your nesting boxes up, provide roosting boxes, or build a shelter using natural materials. I love these tips from Birds & Blooms.
A Fun Activity for the Family
Pinecones & Peanut Butter - Collect pinecones outdoors, add a generous amount of peanut butter or nut butter in between the pinecone scales using a spoon or rubber spatula, roll peanut buttered pinecones in mixed bird seed, place them in fun spots around the yard and see who stops by for a snack!
Mourning Dove
