Many parts of the nation are experiencing horrendous weather with snow and sub-zero temperatures, and the worst is yet to come.
It's very dangerous for both humans and critters.
Birds give us so much joy, let's help them out.
Here are ways to help the birds survive:
My bluebirds are enjoying my bird bath warmer. I use the Around the Farm Utility De-Icer. Much less expensive then what you can get at a bird specialty store. Sits on the bottom of your bird bath and the thermostat keeps the water ice free. We are in the single digits here in Virginia now and it works like a champ. Also pouring freeze dried meal worms into my bluebird houses. They disappear in a few days so that is a nice supplement for them.
Keeping all my feeders full with suet, peanuts, sunflower seeds and general bird seed. Really enjoy feeding my backyard birds.
I always try to help out the birds in winter, especially when temps dip below zero, as they will tonight.
There are lots of spruce and aspen trees around here, and I have found that the birds are a lot happier with their feeder out in the trees, as opposed to being in the open near the house (multiple reasons for that, including a wind break and cover from hawks). I have a covered platform covered with sunflower seeds, along with a couple of feeders hanging on the edges of it, and some boards down right underneath a spruce tree.
It really helps to keep the snow off in some way, so that's why I have the covered platform. It has a little rim around it to keep the seeds from being knocked off. I hang suet in the trees around the feeder platform, and I make sure there's plenty when it gets colder.
There's a big difference in the number of birds that come to my feeder when it's cold versus when it's warmer, like in the 20s or 30s, like it was last week.
Nothing brightens your day like having a chickadee land right next to you as you put out seeds, and sing you a little song!!!!
Discussion
2 repliesIt's very dangerous for both humans and critters.
Birds give us so much joy, let's help them out.
Here are ways to help the birds survive:
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ccdms/wildthings/111222.html
http://blog.homesellingteam.com/2017/12/30/birds-cold-northeastct/
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/how-birds-survive-the-cold-feathers-food-warmth/
Sandy
Thanks for posting.
My bluebirds are enjoying my bird bath warmer. I use the Around the Farm Utility De-Icer. Much less expensive then what you can get at a bird specialty store. Sits on the bottom of your bird bath and the thermostat keeps the water ice free. We are in the single digits here in Virginia now and it works like a champ. Also pouring freeze dried meal worms into my bluebird houses. They disappear in a few days so that is a nice supplement for them.
Keeping all my feeders full with suet, peanuts, sunflower seeds and general bird seed. Really enjoy feeding my backyard birds.
Good articles on your posted links.
Stay warm.
Andrew
There are lots of spruce and aspen trees around here, and I have found that the birds are a lot happier with their feeder out in the trees, as opposed to being in the open near the house (multiple reasons for that, including a wind break and cover from hawks). I have a covered platform covered with sunflower seeds, along with a couple of feeders hanging on the edges of it, and some boards down right underneath a spruce tree.
It really helps to keep the snow off in some way, so that's why I have the covered platform. It has a little rim around it to keep the seeds from being knocked off. I hang suet in the trees around the feeder platform, and I make sure there's plenty when it gets colder.
There's a big difference in the number of birds that come to my feeder when it's cold versus when it's warmer, like in the 20s or 30s, like it was last week.
Nothing brightens your day like having a chickadee land right next to you as you put out seeds, and sing you a little song!!!!