If you’re glum about the prospect of your beautiful garden being covered in snow in the months to come, don’t be. Bird feeders are a low-maintenance way to bring some life into your yard in the chilly stretch from November to March.
In the winter, birds are looking for different food sources, and it can be very easy in terms of a feeder.
Depending on where you are in the country there are a number of different types of birds you might attract (there are
more than 450 species in Canada, although many do migrate south in winter) – from cardinals, jays and chickadees to sparrows, robins and starlings.
Think about providing them with a protein source – for instance an insect-filled suet cake. Sounds a bit distasteful, yes, but from the outside it just looks like a block of pressed seeds.
That’s going to give the birds protein, fat, and a bit of extra insulation. And it’s as easy of sliding it right inside the feeder.
Other easy ways to attract birds to your property? Ornamental seed bells are a cheap alternative -- just unwrap them and hang them from a tree branch – or there’s the tried-and-true method of overturning an empty two litre pop bottle, cutting holes in the side, and filling it with seed.
Remember, different seeds attract different birds. If you want one seed that will attract a whole range of birds, (go for) black oil sunflower seeds.
A common complaint is that by putting out food for the birds, you attract unwanted visitors: squirrels.
If squirrels are a problem for you, I always say, if you can’t beat ‘em, feed ‘em." There are different squirrel feeders available as well.
If you do invest in a wooden bird feeder, don’t give in to the temptation to stain it, the gardening expert warns.
Some of the stains you’ll use will be toxic to the birds. That stain will leach into the seed and we’re going to be harming our birds instead of helping them.
It’s also important to note that birds are finicky when it comes to their seed – buying a good quality seed and keeping your feeder clean does make a difference.
Birds like their seed clean. Buy good quality seed, make sure it’s clean (remove husks and other debris), and if it’s sitting around for a long time, throw it out and replace it.
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