Is your backyard ready for winter birds?

Hopper feeder, an ideal station for cardinals

We've been fortunate. The weather has remained favorable and birds have had plenty of leftovers from last season's natural seed, berries and nuts. But any day now, snow will arrive and birds suddenly will be knocking at your door for food. Are you ready for them?

If you have an existing feeder, clean and repair it, checking for broken perches and clogged feeding ports. 

If your feeder is damaged or broken, replace it.

To attract the greatest variety of birds in the winter, you may wish to provide more than one feeder. Some birds will eat from one style of feeder but not from another. For instance, cardinals feed have short necks. They must feed head-on. That usually means they won't eat from tube-style feeders. Hopper feeders or tray feeders are usually better for them. Mourning Doves, enjoyed because of their pleasant cooing sound, need ample-sized feeders from which to feed. On the other hand, goldfinches prefer tube feeders with tiny seed ports designed specifically for tiny grains of Nyjer seed.

Tube feeder

During cold months, you probably won't be outdoors on the patio watching the birds. Try moving the feeders closer to the house, where you can see the birds from the window. You'll also avoid having to trek through the snow to refill the feeders.

Take advantage of the current weather. Right now, the ground is unfrozen. It's easy to move an existing shepherd's hook or pole. Consider creating a multi-unit feeding station in your backyard. That will enable you to hang more than one style of feeder and attract the greatest variety of birds.

During autumn rains, water sometimes enters the seeder ports, creating soggy and moldy conditions at the bottom of the feeder. Birds can contract illnesses at a time of the season when they have trouble staving off disease. Add covers to feeders to keep seed dry and prevent snow or ice from accumulating on the feeders. 

Clean the ground beneath the feeder. Consider adding "Seed Hoops," mesh platforms that are hung beneath the feeder, to catch spilled seed. There will be less mess on the ground and drier seed.

In winter, songbirds need high-energy food. Some get through cold winter nights by eating as much as 10 percent of their body weight during the day. The food gives them the energy to survive until morning. Suet is exceptionally high in fat and protein. Black oil sunflower seed also is a great source of energy. Peanuts, peanut butter and safflower are good additions.

Unless you enjoy feeding squirrels from your bird feeder, try using a squirrel-resistant feeder. Some of these feeders automatically shut the seed port. Others have cages that keep squirrels from entering the feeder. A third option is a squirrel baffle. Make sure they feeder is placed 15 feet away from a tree limb, shrub or deck from which the squirrel can leap.