{"id":2912,"date":"2015-06-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-06-07T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/birdhousesupply.com\/?p=2912"},"modified":"2017-05-19T19:36:54","modified_gmt":"2017-05-19T19:36:54","slug":"17-winter-hacks-to-help-wild-birds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/birdhousesupply.com\/blog\/17-winter-hacks-to-help-wild-birds\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Winter Hacks to Help Wild Birds"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Live north of Zone 8? You know what\u2019s coming.The birds do too, and they left you a list of things they\u2019d like to see in their\u2026umm, your backyard.<\/p>\n
In a word, yes. Birds are perfectly equipped to withstand winter weather. They don\u2019t need us. BUT\u2026 Human environmental alterations have created some not so subtle results on the habitat and food sources available for wildlife. Inadvertent and deliberate introduction of non-native, invasive plant species have reduced some native food sources. Housing developments and destruction of native wild lands drive birds and other animals closer to human areas \u2013 simply because there are less favored wild places left.<\/p>\n
Live in an urban apartment? Homesteading on a patch of a sub-division? You can be a positive force for assisting wintering birds. And it is quite simple to do!<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n Migratory winter visitors and resident species require three resources to survive:<\/p>\n You won\u2019t need to attract birds to your yard. They are already there. What you will be doing is creating a focal point that will shepherd the birdies into a desired place. Birds are heard before they are seen, so\u00a0if you want to be a birdwatcher\u2026start as a bird listener!<\/strong><\/p>\n They are going to be getting some heavy use. Fix any loose fixtures and change frayed cords before the feeders are put into service. It\u2019s much easier to do this when the air temperature is not 20\u02da and the wind chill is blinding you with sleet (I\u2019ve tried).<\/p>\n If your current feeders and waterers are looking a little beat up from years of use, it may be a good idea to invest in some new ones. Animal activity, cleaning and handling, coupled with the exposure of the plastic parts to sunlight, degrade and damage the best feeders over time. Broken or cracked stations can injure or catch birds. The cracks and deep scratches harbor bacteria and pathogens (mold, fungus) that are impossible to access during cleaning. If there are many of these fissures, think about getting some new equipment.<\/p>\n Check for frayed cords or the possibility of connection problems that could lead to failures. Always connect these products to a ground fault circuit. If the circuit trips, or you suspect damage, unplug and discard the birdbath. Electrocution is a real risk, and it doesn\u2019t take much to kill a bird\u2026or give you a big shock.<\/p>\n <\/a> This is particularly true if you live in areas visited by ice and deep snowfalls. Try to locate the feeders in regions with snow and wind breaks \u2013 you don\u2019t want to hang your feeder in a spot that gets wind driven drifts, or your feeder will get buried, or have every crack and opening clogged with crusty snow.<\/p>\n You can also set them near thick shrubs or evergreen trees. This allows the birds natural cover and helps to hide their activity from predators. Cut evergreen branches and affix them to deciduous trees and position the boughs over the feeder\u2019s dome or roof to provide extra protection from gusts, rain and snow. It works great, provides extra perching places and it looks festive! The branches soften the feeder\u2019s profile, letting it naturalize into the environment.<\/p>\n You can then target what feed and feeder styles are the most likely to benefit the local and migratory visitors.<\/p>\n \n \n Choose those that produce dense boughs for cover. Some varieties are boxwoods, holly, yew, arborvitae and spruce. Planting these trees and bushes in groups provide extra protection for birds. Set small trees and shrubs near walls or building, or in areas where wind does not channel, in order to give the birds an added bit of protection from the elements.<\/p>\n This often over-looked element is just as important in the winter months as it is during the summer. Birds rely on open water<\/a> for bathing as much as drinking. Even in the cold, birds will wash their plumage to keep it in working condition. In the winter this means ensuring their feathers create proper loft to trap air for warmth.<\/p>\n You can provide hot water during the day \u2013 a bit of a chore \u2013 or purchase heated baths<\/a>. You will need to situate the bath near an electrical supply (with a ground fault system). Heating elements can also be purchased to keep standard birdbath water above freezing.<\/p>\n You will save on electricity as these only operate when the water falls into the freezing temperature range. Cornell University<\/a> endorses these \u201clatest immersion heaters turn off if the water in the bath dries up\u2026[and] cost pennies a day to operate.\u201d<\/p>\n Plastic or modern concrete baths are prone to winter damage from ice (antique concrete birdbaths were made to withstand the elements). Never use a metal bath in the winter as the birds may freeze to it!<\/p>\n You can also purchase inserts for your existing birdbath. Visit farm and grain stores to purchase flexible rubber feed bowls. These sturdy bowls are shallow and easy to rid of ice. Simply run hot water over the bottom and pop the ice out, as you would an ice cube tray. The black rubber attracts sunlight and warms naturally during daylight hours.<\/p>\n For those with ponds or open bodies of water, a drinking source is always available or birds. Unless you live in zones that experience stretches of frigid weather, most bodies of water will have open sections available for drinking. Ornamental fishponds must have an area left free of ice for gas exchange in order to maintain the wellbeing of fish and aquatic life. Pond keepers use pumps and heaters for this purpose \u2013 benefitting birds and other wildlife as they keep their fish and frogs happy!<\/p>\n They will still accumulate scum and bird debris. But you won\u2019t need to clean as often as in the summer.\u00a0Important Safety Tip: Never add glycerin or any oil to a birdbath. These substances are deadly. They act in a similar manner to natural oil spills, coating the birds\u2019 feathers and causing death from hypothermia.<\/p>\n You can even decorate your outdoor greenery with any of the crafts described for an unexpected holiday display.<\/p>\n \n <\/a><\/p>\n Everyone is hungry in the cold dark days of winter. Birds of prey search out feeding stations. With their acute vision, they quickly hone in on the heavy activity around feeders and birdbaths. While predation is a natural process, herding groups of birds together in a tight and focused area is not. \u00a0Feeding wildlife inherently creates a situation not found in nature and it makes sense to limit this impact while providing a balanced approach to the beneficial parts of bird feeding.<\/p>\n Birds of prey hunt by surprise. They use speed and cover to weave their way towards the unsuspecting birds. Prey birds need a clear view to see the predators approaching. They also need quick access to dense cover. The cover really does need to be quite dense \u2013 think scrub and tangles. Hawks are designed to get into tight spaces and they will crawl into brush to grab panicking birds.<\/p>\n If you set the feeder near buildings to shield the weather, ensure there is enough space for the birds to make a get away. Aerial attacks happen quickly and birds must react in an instant. There isn\u2019t time for them to negotiate obstacles and most hawk \u201cgrabs\u201d happen along fences (especially wire or chain-link).<\/p>\n Ground predators stalk and use cover to surprise the birds. Generally, wild animals hunt at dawn, dusk or at night \u2013 and rarely pose a risk to songbirds. If you live in rural areas, consider bobcats as a potential threat, but domestic cats are the major killer of wild birds.<\/p>\n No birds at the feeder? Did you set out your fancy multi-purpose suet and seed feeder?\u00a0Have you filled it with the premium bird blend and the peanut flavored suet? But all you hear is\u2026silence. The feeder gently tilts on the wake of icy winds.\u00a0You need to think like a bird marketer. Birds are your typical consumer \u2013 they need easy and obvious. You will also need to convince them that they need what you\u2019re selling. Sounds familiar.<\/p>\n The feeder may be in the wrong place. You have to place you business on the right site. Like humans, songbirds are sight shoppers. They won\u2019t come to your store if they can\u2019t see it.<\/p>\n Set your feeder in a clear area that will be visible from the air and from their normal flight levels. You can slowly move the feeder to its final display location. And just like with any product, crowds spread news. The rise in flitting and socializing will attract more birds in. This is the original Twitter. \u201cHey, what\u2019s going on down there, George?\u201d<\/p>\n No one wants to buy soap flavored ice cream. The birds have spoken and they want what they want. Set out the favorites- sunflower seeds, high-quality mixes and suet.\u00a0Got some cool winter tips for your area?<\/em><\/p>\n Drop us your ideas in the comments, we are waiting to add some more nifty tricks for over-wintering with your favorite hobby.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Live north of Zone 8? You know what\u2019s coming.The birds do too, and they left you a list of things they\u2019d like to see in their\u2026umm, your backyard. Can birds survive on their own in winter? In a word, yes. Birds are perfectly equipped to withstand winter weather. They don\u2019t need us. BUT\u2026 Human … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2913,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[118,106,104,105,81],"tags":[113],"yoast_head":"\n\n
Get ready for the cold weather. <\/span><\/h3>\n
1. Wash and fix those feeders.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Consider investing in new bird feeders<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Electric, heated birdbaths need extra attention.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Placing feeders in winter<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n4. Placement is key to running a successful dining facility! Be sure to set feeders where you will have reasonable access to maintain them.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Hang or mount the feeders near a building that shields the weather.<\/h3>\n
6. Learn about the bird species that visit your area.<\/h3>\n
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Provide the right kind of shelter for birds<\/span><\/h3>\n
7. Plant stands of evergreen shrubs and trees.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
8. Add trees that supply a food source: apples, crabapples, pears, mulberries, dogwood, holly, serviceberry, oak and other nut producers (walnut, pecan, hazel, butternut).<\/h3>\n
Provide water sources that won\u2019t turn into ice cubes!<\/span><\/h3>\n
9. Standing bird baths are best.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
10. Find a product that runs with a thermostat.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
11. Choose birdbaths for different seasons.<\/h3>\n
12. Don\u2019t neglect cleaning the baths.<\/h3>\n
Entertain yourself and backyard birds on cold days<\/h3>\n
13. Craft homemade bird treats. It\u2019s fun and adds folksy nuance to the winter decorations.<\/h3>\n
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Keep predators away<\/span><\/h2>\n
14. Be sure there are no fences, nets or walls too near the feeder.<\/h3>\n
15. Keep feeders at least 4 feet from the ground and several feet away from low cover the cats can hide under.<\/h3>\n
Troubleshooting your cold weather bird feeding<\/h3>\n
16. Check your placement.<\/h3>\n
17. Get real about your product.<\/h3>\n