Attract Birds to Your Yard this Winter

This week, stop by The Wildbird Shack to pick up last minute holiday gifts for your favorite nature lovers. Many of our items are made in the U.S.A. We also have items crafted by local artisans and giftables as well as local honey. For the month of December, we are featuring 10% off of lawn art and honey.

We have just what you need to prepare your yard to take care of your feathered friends this weekend! We have some tips here but definitely come in for more direction!

Winter's harsh weather and temperatures can be brutal, not only for the two legged creatures but our feathered friends as well. Seeing a vibrant red male Cardinal, Blue Jay, Dark Eyed Junco or Downy Woodpecker at your feeder on a cold winter day may be just what you need to uplift your spirit. Because our birds' natural food sources such as insects and flowering plants are in short supply, winter is a crucial time to feed your birds. Following these helpful hints will keep birds returning to your yard:

1. Keep feeders full and provide a variety of food sources. A blend of nyjer, suet and seed feeders will guide a welcome path of birds to your yard.

Be mindful that many birds such as Goldfinches and House Finches lose their vibrancy in the winter months.

2. Do a little winter cleaning and start winter off with clean feeders. Birds carry disease easily transmitted to other birds and bacteria transmittable to humans.

3. Add some nesting boxes or bird houses to your yard. Bird houses and boxes provide a safe haven when there is less foliage to camouflage the nest from predators..

4. Hang cotton, alpaca or other nesting materials for birds to use to retain warmth in nests and bird houses.

5. Birds do not have the capability of converting ice to drinking water so providing water is vitally important. Just like mammals, birds need to drink and bathe, even during those very cold days. A heated bird bath will make a huge difference in attracting a wide variety of birds. If you already have a bird bath, all you will need is a heater to keep the water liquid.

6. To deter other critters from feeders, there are some options you may want to consider:

a. Squirrel and Raccoon baffles work very well

b. Use a seed catcher under the feeder to catch any seed throw from the feeder

c. Use suet mixed with hot peppers*

d. Coles “Hot Flaming Squirrel Seed Sauce”*

e. Coles also makes a blend of seed with a hot blend*

*Hot food does not bother birds--only mammals with salivary glands.

Use these helpful guidelines and you will have an enjoyable birdwatching season.

Visit us at the Wildbird Shack for more about preparing your yard for winter and winter birding items

854 E. Northwest Highway, Mt. Prospect IL 60056 - 847-873-0409

Wildbirdshack.com - info@wildbirdshack.com