signals an evening rest for our resident deer and holes
are apparent from busy squirrels hiding nuts. Designate
a safe area in your yard. Birds will more readily come to
your feeders if the feeders are close to cover.
#3: Winterize your nest boxes: Now is the time to clean
out those bluebird boxes that hopefully gave you plea-
sure all spring and summer. Clean boxes thoroughly
with a stiff brush and a bleach-and-water solution of
one-part bleach to four-parts water. You can add a layer
of tin foil to the inside floor of the nest box for insula-
tion and plug up some of the holes with foam weather
stripping. Don’t plug all the holes though, birds like to
be able to see inside a box. Make sure your baffles
are properly affixed, so roosting birds will be safe from
raccoons and snakes. Woodpeckers, titmice, chicka-
dees and bluebirds will roost in boxes during the winter;
you might even get a screech owl. Replace damaged
boxes with new ones and you may entice new species
to your yard.
#4: Most importantly, feed the birds: Seed is a good
source of fat and protein for the winter months. Small
mixed grains sprinkled under your hedges will attract
shy migrants that might not come to a feeder. And
insectivorous birds, if they have not migrated, are
now eating fruits of all the deliciously mature bushes
you planted last year. Put up a mix of different feed-
ers – tube, hopper, platform (to name a few) to create a
Goldfinch in icy bath
winter feeding station and bring all sorts of color to your
backyard. Add suet feeders which attract woodpeckers
and add some fat and extra protein to your winter birds’
diets.
#5: Help birds keep clean and hydrated: Finding clean,
unfrozen water is a must for birds in winter. Drippers,
misters and fountains work, along with bird bath heat-
ers. Remember, don’t let the water become stagnant.
By following these tips, you can help your birds through
one of their toughest months and celebrate National
Bird-Feeding Month in the process.
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