Winter is nigh—get ready!

Red-winged Blackbird exhales on cold day

Cold weather is moving in. We still have a little time to get ready for winter.

Birds need ample food, water and shelter during winter, especially during cold or snowy weather. Here are some tips on what to do before really cold weather arrives.

By the end of November, clean out used nesting material in bird houses. Use a small brush to clean out corners. You do not need to wash the house. Add about 1 inch of wood shavings. During winter's icy blasts, birds may huddle together to keep warm.

Clean all your feeders. Use diluted detergent and a brush to clean the feeder, then rinse very well and dry it in the sun. Once the feeder is dry, it's time to refill with seed. The best time of day to fill feeders is early in the morning. You'll find more activity then.

Next, clean the bird bath. Brush away grime and rinse very well. Use a 1-to-10 part of bleach/water solution to disinfect the bath. If the bath is made of ceramic or cement, take the bowl and pedestal in so they won't crack. To provide birds with a source of water during winter, set up a heated bird bath or add a heater to an existing weatherproof bath.

Don't forget about shelter. Make an "instant cover" for birds by piling up some branches, especially evergreens, so birds can hide and be protected from snow and ice.

Do you have pumpkins or squashes decorating your porch? Time to give the seeds to the birds before the fruit softens and rots. Rinse off the fiber and dry the seeds in a 200-degree oven. Songbirds will love the seeds. Squirrels will, too! If you wish to devote the treats to the birds, place the seeds in a tray feeder protected with a baffle.

Allow the native plants in your backyard to go to seed. Birds love the seeds of coneflower, for instance. Remember, nobody rakes, mows or cleans seed-bearing plants in the forest. Birds love them!