Thankful for Our Birds
Feeling overwhelmed by the events of the past few years, many of us simply retreated to the comfort and serenity of our own backyards to regain a feeling of well-being and some semblance of control. It makes sense. Birds are like our own personal support group!
Their behavior and beauty brings us joy when it can be hard to find elsewhere. They provide a much needed respite from daily monotony and a distraction from disturbing events. And they create moments of true excitement as the shifting seasons bring an ever-changing cast of characters to our feeders.
Maybe it’s time to stop and truly say “thank you” to our birds. It’s not hard, a few simple actions can truly help make the world a better place for birds, wildlife and people, too.
Fall is the perfect time to advertise to the birds that they can rely on our yards as part of their winter habitat territory.
Leave the Landscape: Leave spent plants standing to provide natural food sources and protective cover for the birds. Sparrows will flit to the top of the plants and “ride” them to the ground to feed on the seeds. Juncos and towhees will scratch the ground for dropped seeds. Other birds can find morsels of native insects overwintering in the dormant garden spaces.
Take Stock of Feeders: During winter, birds need high calorie foods to keep their little bodies warm, especially during cold nights. Fall is the perfect time to clean, repair or install new feeders before winter arrives.
A Feeding Foundation: Birds are always looking for food; whether they are eating it or not. Have at least one foundational feeder available now that dependably provides food and does not have to be filled very often. Help your birds know your food is reliable and ever present for them; especially when the weather turns nasty.
Provide Shelter: Cold winds strip heat from birds very quickly. Birds will seek refuge from the wind in dense vegetation, natural cavities, brush piles or roosting boxes. Roosting boxes provide birds with a warm, dry location that can help protect them from cold, nasty winter weather. Autumn is a convenient time to convert your nest boxes into roosting boxes by temporarily plugging the ventilation holes to help trap heat inside the box.
Offer Water: Birds need water in winter to maintain their feathers for effective insulation. Take time now to set up a heated bird bath or add a heater to your existing plastic, metal or stone bird bath. This will help make some water available even on the coldest day.
For more information, be sure to check out the WBU Nature Centered Podcast episode, “Birds: A Cornucopia of Joy.” Our entertaining experts, John and Brian, will share how to have even more joy by attracting the widest cast of characters to your own backyard this fall.