Liven up your home garden with these bird feeding tips!

As I peer out the window of our kitchen this time of year, I am grateful for the birds that visit the seed heads of the ornamental grasses that I let stand over the winter. I am so glad that I resisted the temptation to cut them down this past fall.

For the birds in your yard, now is the perfect time to attract song sparrows, chickadees and overwintering Blue Jays and Cardinals with a ‘song bird seed mix’. Or just use straight black oil sunflower seeds. To prevent the mess associated with sunflowers, use the hulled variety – more expensive but all ‘meat’ and no waste or mess to clean up.

Winter feeding birds need the carbohydrates and fats contained in suet. Extra calories are a must for birds whose fast metabolisms are working hard to keep their little bodies warm. I always hang several out for the winter. That way, if I don’t replace one of them after it is finished, the birds always have another to feed on.

The location of your feeders is just as important as the food that goes into them: out of the harsh winter winds and, ideally, close to shelter. Shelter can be anything from a tall evergreen pine to a short deciduous bush. Birds will use this as protection from predators but also to determine whether or not this food source is safe. If you watch the birds, you’ll notice they don’t fly straight to the feeder, they will perch a ways away and observe the area first.

Choose feeders with large weather protection covers. This will keep your seed from collecting snow and ice and keep the birds a little warmer while eating. Larger feeders are better than small ones in the winter. You will be out there less often refilling it, which can be a challenge if it snows up to your knees overnight.

Go fresh with fruit. Many overwintering birds will appreciate some fresh apple, orange, and banana slices. Similarly, you may want to survey your plot this winter and see if you have room for a fruit tree or two. On my property, the berries and apples that didn’t fall to the ground are the first to be gobbled up as the cold temperatures set in. Plus, they can use the tree for shelter and nesting when spring rolls around.

Keep your feeders free from snow so as not to bury the seed. If heavy snow is expected, lift ground feeders to keep them from disappearing beneath it. As winter comes to an end and temperatures begin to rise, keep an eye on the seed in your feeders. Look for evidence of bacterial growth - moulds, mildews, etc. Rinse out feeders each time they need to be filled and throw away any seed that is growing something it shouldn’t be.   

As for the myth that feeding the birds creates a dependency on your feeding station that is not healthy for them – hogwash. If they are disappointed by the selection of seed in your yard, they go hunting for available seed in the wild. In most cases, they have the option to go next door or down the street to the home of another generous gardener come bird feeder.

Finally, get yourself a bird identification book [the ‘Sibley Guide to Birds’ is my favourite] and a pair of binoculars if your feeder is too far from any of the house windows. Winter birding is easier than spring or summer birding - fewer leaves for hiding in and I can guarantee that once you know what you’re looking at, you’ll have a greater appreciation when feeding them.

Feed the birds this winter: learn a little something and support healthy backyard biodiversity.

Mark Cullen appears on Canada AM every Wednesday morning at 8:40 am. He is the Lawn and Garden expert for Home Hardware.  Sign up for his free monthly newsletter at www.markcullen.com.