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Winter Birding


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Feeding the birds year-round provides an easy and enjoyable way to interact with nature. It's especially important to supplement their diets in the colder winter months. When the ground is frozen, natural food is scarce. 

Feeding the birds
The variety of bird seeds and mixtures on the market is staggering. In most locations, however, the best all-around attractant is black-oil sunflower seed. This seed has a high meat-to-shell ratio and fat content. Its small size and thin shell make it easy for small birds to handle and crack.  Try starting with sunflower seeds, then experiment with other seeds or mixtures. 

Chickadees, Wrens, Nuthatches, Jays, Woodpeckers and Titmice like suet.  Nuthatches, Finches Cardinals, Grosbeaks and Titmice like Safflower seed (most birds prefer sunflower over safflower).  Finches also like millet or Nyjer (thistle) seed.  Sparrows and doves like corn, as do ducks and wild turkeys.

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Bird Feed Blends
Choose from our large selection of specialty seeds, blends, sunflower seed, nyjer seed, suet, and more.
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If you buy a lot of seed, store it in a cool, dry place, in a rodent-proof, metal can. Check the seed often for mold. Do not use seed that has been stored for an extended period of time. Dispose of any seed that is questionable. Several species, including jays, nuthatches, and woodpeckers, readily consume peanuts. Be creative and see what you can attract with a variety of foods. Try popped popcorn (without salt or butter), hulled sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, soaked raisins, pieces of fruit (orioles like oranges), fruit seeds (melons, apples), grapes, or mealworms. Birds may be wary of new foods. If you add something new to your bird-feeding station, offer it in a familiar place.


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Wildlife Elements In-Shell Peanuts

Ideal for squirrels, birds, deer, and other outdoor wildlife.
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Bird Baths
Since birds need water for drinking and bathing, they are attracted to water just as they are to feeders. You can purchase a bird bath or simply use dishes or shallow pans. Birds seem to prefer baths that are at ground level, but raised baths will attract birds as well.  If the bath is on the ground, arrange a few branches or stones in the water so that birds can stand on them and drink without getting wet. This is particularly important in winter.  It is important to keep the water within the optimal drinking range for the birds, especially on the coldest days.  Maintain an ice free bath to attract birds and keep them coming back even in sub-zero weather. To keep the water from freezing, try using a heated bird bath.  There are also heaters and de-icers specifically for bird baths that are simple and easy to use.

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Heated Bird Bath
Keeps water ice-free all winter. Includes EZ-tilt deck mount. 
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Bird Houses
Safety, basic needs and location are a bird's primary drive. Try to blend bird houses into their placement background to offer protection from being attractive to predators. Always place your bird house at least six feet off the ground to deter cats, raccoons etc. and hang a protective collar just below it. Birds will respond better to location and safety, however, a red or yellow bird house will add color to a winter garden.

Keep these in mind if building your bird house:

  • The size of the entrance must be proportionate to the type of bird you wish to attract.
  • You will need to drill holes for ventilation to allow ample air and light. Birds prefer a rough surface both in and outside of the entrance so that they can easily get in and out.
  • Different species of birds have different preferences, so if you wish to attract a particular type, you should do a little research to include those features in your bird house.
  • Building the right house won't guarantee a particular bird will move in, but it will increase your chances of attracting them.