Tips for winter bird feeding

When the temperatures turn cold and you get a little ice or snow, it is important to think of some of the smaller creatures that share our world and the struggles that they faced with to find food on a daily basis. One sure way to lend a helping hand to the many species of songbirds that choose to stay here for the winter is to put out a bird feeder or two.

Feeding birds is lots of fun and has gotten very, very popular. In fact, a recent survey by the Nature Conservancy showed that more than 40 of American households feed birds or other wildlife. That is more than play golf, hunt or fish combined. There is something soothing about feeding birds, something relaxing. With all the hustle and bustle of this season, we could all use a little relaxation.

Audubon offers these tips to get the most out of your bird feeding:

n Provide multiple feeding stations in different levels of your yard to disperse bird activity. Ground feeders, hopper or tube feeders and suet feeders will each attract different species.

n Clean your feeders regularly with hot water, and let them air dry completely. Also keep areas under and around the feeders clean.

n Keep seed clean and dry, and watch for mold.

n Use a seed blend designed for your feeder and the types of birds you feed. Blends that contain filler seeds and grains (milo, sorghum, and red or golden millet) are not typically eaten by birds, and will often end up on the ground.

n Place bird feeders in locations that do not provide hiding places for cats and other predators. Place feeders ten to twelve feet from low shrubs or brush piles.

n Many bird species will not eat from a feeder. Some species eat only fruits or insects. Provide for these species also by planting native plants and not using pesticides in your yard or garden.

n Black oil sunflower seed is a favorite of just about every seed-eating species.

n Suet feeders are a favorite of woodpeckers and other insect-eating birds. You can make your own suet or buy blocks of suet from a wild bird store. Typically suet blocks are placed in a wire cage that hangs on the side of a tree.

n Use suet, or beef fat mixtures in the colder weather, but switch to peanut butter when weather warms up.

Gift Ideas – since it is the Holiday Season, bird feeders, or field guides (to identify birds) make great gifts and stocking stuffers. Two of my favorite field guides are Golden Press – Guide to Field Identification of Birds of North America, and Kaufman Focus Guides Birds of North America. Both of these are simple references to birds that may show up to a feeder. They feature color and good descriptions of the birds, as well as habits and other interesting things.

Another offering to consider for that special birder is the Birds of Oklahoma Field Guide by Stan Tekeila ($13.88 on Amazon). This book features 123 species of birds with photos and range maps, typically found in the Sooner State. Tekiela also gives tidbits and facts gained from his years of wildlife photography across the U.S.

A small set of field glasses (binoculars) is a good gift as well. I have found that with binoculars, the more you spend, the more you get in the way of clarity and light. To get a good set of glasses that will focus sharply and magnify 8x or 10x be willing to spend a little over $100.