Neighbor News
Calling All Bird Lovers
Birds burn a tremendous amount of energy just to keep warm. The winter months, when food supplies for birds are scarce, and especially when
Make your Yard a Winter Wonderland for Birds
People of all ages enjoy watching birds flock to a birdfeeder. Now is a good time to get a birdfeeder established in your yard. Be sure to choose a spot where you can easily venture out to refill the seed and where you can comfortably watch from the warmth of your house.
Birds burn a tremendous amount of energy just to keep warm. The winter months, when food supplies for birds are scarce, and especially when the ground is covered with snow and ice, is when they need your help the most.
There are many birdseed mixes available, some blended to attract specific types of birds and others to satisfy all your backyard visitors. Be sure that the blend you choose does not contain any “filler” seeds such as milo and red millet. Some blends are shell-less to ensure there is no waste and no mess left behind.
Adding a suet feeder to your backyard birding habitat gives birds a much needed energy boost to help them keep warm while supplying the maximum calories consumed for each flight to the feeder. Birds also need ice-free water to prevent dehydration and to keep feathers clean to ‘puff’ for warmth. Heaters are available to keep your birdbath filled with water for the birds to drink. The added bonus of providing an open water source is that it attracts as many or more birds as a well-stocked feeder.
For some family fun, you can be part of the Annual Great Backyard Bird Count. Anyone from amateurs to experts can take part in this event to identify and count birds at your feeder to help create a real time snapshot of bird populations all over the world. This joint project of the Cornell lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society and Bird Studies Canada will take place on Feb. 12-15.
Russell’s Garden Center currently has Aspen Song Wild Bird Food and Suet on sale to help you feed the hungry birds in your yard: 25% off all large bags 17+ lbs. and greater, while supplies last.
