Your snow-covered backyard in the middle of February can be a far cry from the bustling green lawn that spring and summer brings.
You may look out your windows and watch for fifteen minutes without seeing so much as a squirrel.
But, you can combat this.
Would you like to entertain guests who don't stay long, don't eat much and are always grateful for what you give them? Try feeding the birds.
For birds, food is difficult to find during the frozen winter months.
If you create a space for them to feed and bathe in safety, they will literally flock to you.
Here are 4 Tips from the AHA on How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard 1.
Provide the birds plenty of water Many sources of water are frozen in the winter.
Provide birds with a birdbath or shallow pan of water.
The water should be about two inches deep and in a sheltered location.
Change the water frequently to keep it from freezing.
You can also purchase an immersion-type water heater made just for this purpose.
2.
Change things up Place your bird feeder in various locations throughout your yard to determine where attracts the most birds.
Also, different types of feeders and feed attract different birds so have a variety.
3.
Feed them what they want Your location will determine what kinds of birds you can attract but this list will help you determine what to feed them:
Beware of Squirrels and Raccoons Woodland animals like bird seed too and they will go to extreme measures to get it.
Take some precautions to keep them out.
Elevate a feeder at least five feet off the ground and at least ten feet away from the nearest tree, overhang, or building.
Install a baffle (a curved sheet of metal available at home supply stores) to the top of the feeder to prevent the lucky squirrels that landed on top from climbing down and eating.
Keep raccoons off with an 18-inch radius cone shield on the post beneath the feeder.
This shield should be at least four feet off the ground.
Any lower and raccoons could jump on top, giving them easier access to you bird feeder.
Once you establish your yard as a hot spot for the bird community, keep it up.
Make sure there is always food and water available.
A bird-friendly yard guarantees that you will attract entertaining guests all winter long.
You may look out your windows and watch for fifteen minutes without seeing so much as a squirrel.
But, you can combat this.
Would you like to entertain guests who don't stay long, don't eat much and are always grateful for what you give them? Try feeding the birds.
For birds, food is difficult to find during the frozen winter months.
If you create a space for them to feed and bathe in safety, they will literally flock to you.
Here are 4 Tips from the AHA on How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard 1.
Provide the birds plenty of water Many sources of water are frozen in the winter.
Provide birds with a birdbath or shallow pan of water.
The water should be about two inches deep and in a sheltered location.
Change the water frequently to keep it from freezing.
You can also purchase an immersion-type water heater made just for this purpose.
2.
Change things up Place your bird feeder in various locations throughout your yard to determine where attracts the most birds.
Also, different types of feeders and feed attract different birds so have a variety.
3.
Feed them what they want Your location will determine what kinds of birds you can attract but this list will help you determine what to feed them:
- - White Proso Millet (small seed) = Sparrows, Juncos
- - Thistle Seed (niger) = Goldfinches, House Finches, Pine Siskins
- - Black Sunflower Seeds = Cardinals, Chickadees, Evening Grosbeaks, Finches
Beware of Squirrels and Raccoons Woodland animals like bird seed too and they will go to extreme measures to get it.
Take some precautions to keep them out.
Elevate a feeder at least five feet off the ground and at least ten feet away from the nearest tree, overhang, or building.
Install a baffle (a curved sheet of metal available at home supply stores) to the top of the feeder to prevent the lucky squirrels that landed on top from climbing down and eating.
Keep raccoons off with an 18-inch radius cone shield on the post beneath the feeder.
This shield should be at least four feet off the ground.
Any lower and raccoons could jump on top, giving them easier access to you bird feeder.
Once you establish your yard as a hot spot for the bird community, keep it up.
Make sure there is always food and water available.
A bird-friendly yard guarantees that you will attract entertaining guests all winter long.