4 Ways To Get Ready To Feed Birds This Winter

Many areas of the country are experiencing unprecedented warm weather BUT we all know winter is coming. If you live in some areas of the country, winter is a fact of life! 

Birds are a bright spot on a winter's day for many people. We know that getting up in the morning and sitting at the kitchen table, or looking out the window at the bird feeders and the feeding frenzy there makes snow and cold a bit more bearable. Once you've "called" the wild birds to your feeders by giving them food, you don't want to leave them high and dry and stop feeding them. If at all possible, feeding the birds is a winter-long commitment once you start. 

If you're new to having birds at feeders in your yard we have tips on how to lure birds to your yard and what you can do to keep them happy and returning! On another note, if you have indoor cats, birds at the feeder are like "cat TV." A lot of cats will perch in a place they can see the birds, their tails twitch, they may chatter at the birds and are thoroughly entertained -- it's a win for your cats and a happy feeding time for the birds! 

Here are 4 ways to bring birds to your feeders

Location. Location. Location. Birds feel safer when they are under some cover when they are eating. If you have trees in your yard that are semi-secluded and have branches that shelter the bird feeders, you may get more birds to your home. Some birds won't care if you put a bird feeder pole and a bird feeder on it, but the shy ones may stay away. 

Know your birds. What kind of birds thrive in the winter in the area of the country where you live? When you know what kind of birds are where you live then you can buy wild bird seed that they will want to eat. For example, a tiny chickadee probably won't want to struggle with large sunflower seeds -- although some will! That leads us to...

Buy the wild birds the feed and seed they want.  Once you know what kind of birds are in the area where you live, you can shop at your favorite online store for the seeds and seed mixes that suit the birds you will be feeding. Many wild bird seed mixes are blends of seeds to appeal to a wide variety of wild birds. Don't forget the suet -- many birds love it and it's a "healthy fat" for them. 

Keep them full. Once you have filled the feeders and you have wild bird activity, keep the feeders full.  We know that birds CAN thrive on their own in the winter months -- they are equipped for that -- BUT we feel that once you have committed to feeding them, you should stick with it throughout the winter season. And as we mentioned, "bird tv" is a bright spot in a gray winter day and the birds will thank you for it! 

Have you fed birds in the past? Do you plan to feed wild birds this winter? We would love to see your bird feeder set ups and the birds that come to your feeder! 

Drop us a photo on our Magoos Facebook Page.