As the chill of winter settles in, many birds rely on backyard feeders for sustenance, making winter the perfect time to set up a cozy bird feeder garden. A bird feeder garden is a welcoming outdoor space where bird feeders, native plants, and natural shelters come together to attract and support birds, transforming your backyard into a vibrant haven for both you and your feathered friends! Here’s how to create a winter haven for your feathered friends, even when the frost bites...
1. Choose the Right Feeders For Winter
In winter, birds look for high-energy foods to help them stay warm. Different types of feeders allow you to offer a variety of food sources, so consider including these in your winter setup:
- Hopper Feeders: These feeders protect seeds from snow and ice and are perfect for larger seeds like black oil sunflower seeds, which are a year-round favorite for many birds. Click here for a selection of large and small hopper feeders in a variety of colors to spruce up your garden.
- Tube Feeders: Great for smaller seeds like Nyjer, tube feeders are excellent for attracting finches and other small birds.
- Platform Feeders: For ground-feeding birds like juncos, sparrows, and mourning doves, a platform feeder provides easy access to mixed seed. Just be sure to keep it clear of snow buildup.
- Suet Feeders: High-fat suet provides an essential source of energy during winter. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees love suet and will visit these feeders regularly when temperatures drop. **Pro Tip** Choosing a suet feeder with a tail prop like this one will make bird visitors comfortable and they'll hang around longer.
2. Offer High-Energy Food Sources
Winter birds need high-fat, high-protein foods to stay warm and energized. Here are some winter must-haves:- Black Oil Sunflower Seeds: A cold-weather staple, these seeds are packed with energy and attract a wide variety of birds.
- Suet Cakes: Suet provides essential fat, helping birds conserve energy. Place suet feeders in areas sheltered from the wind for easy access. If store-bought suet cakes have left you disappointed with their dry, crumbly texture, try these all-natural suet cakes—they're irresistible to birds!
- Peanuts: Peanuts are a high-protein favorite that attracts woodpeckers, nuthatches, and jays. Our Seeds, Nuts, and Fruit specialty mix includes peanut splits and peanut hearts, offering the perfect blend to keep your feathered friends happy and coming back for more!
- Dried mealworms: This is another excellent protein source, especially for insect-eating birds like bluebirds, robins, wrens, woodpeckers.
- Splendid HappySeed Box: Make winter bird feeding effortless with the ultimate dining experience for your feathered friends. The Splendid HappySeed Box includes all these high-energy essentials—premium seed customized for the birds in your area, all-natural suet cakes, mealworms, and more—delivered straight to your door. It’s the easiest way to keep your backyard birds happy and well-fed all winter long!
3. Position Feeders Strategically
Winter winds and snowfall can make feeding difficult for birds, so consider placing your feeders in spots that offer some shelter:- Near Trees or Shrubs: Position feeders near evergreen trees or dense shrubs, which provide natural cover from the wind and a safe haven from predators.
- Close to Your Window (Safely): Place feeders within 3 feet of a window or at least 10 feet away to reduce the risk of window collisions. This setup also gives you a front-row seat to watch the birds without having to brave the cold!
4. Keep Feeders Clean and Full
- Winter Maintenance: Snow and ice can clog feeders and spoil food, so check feeders regularly to ensure they’re stocked and in good condition. Clean them out every couple of weeks to prevent mold and disease.
- Prevent Icing: If you live in an area where icing is a concern, try bringing feeders indoors overnight or using an enclosed feeder to protect seeds.
5. Provide Fresh, Unfrozen Water
Water sources can be hard to come by in winter, so offering fresh water will attract even more birds to your feeder garden.
- Bird Bath Heater: An electric bird bath heater keeps water from freezing, providing a reliable source of water even on the coldest days.
- Refill Regularly: If using a non-heated water source, try to replace the water daily to keep it from freezing over. Birds will flock to a clean, fresh bird bath, even in winter! Water is essential both for drinking and bathing. Birds need to keep their feathers clean in winter to maintain their insulation. Clean feathers trap pockets of air, creating an insulating layer that helps birds retain body heat.
6. Create a Cozy Environment with Plants and Shelter
- Add Winter Plants: If possible, plant some winter-friendly shrubs or trees, like holly or juniper, that provide both shelter and food through berries. These plants add color to your backyard and offer a natural feeding ground.
- Leave Leaf Litter and Mulch: Mulching around feeders and leaving some leaf litter under bushes provide a warm, insect-rich environment, attracting ground-feeding birds.
- Consider a Roosting Box: Unlike birdhouses, roosting boxes are designed to keep birds warm during cold nights. Install one or two to give birds a cozy overnight shelter in your backyard.
7. Sit Back and Enjoy the Show!
A winter bird feeder garden is a gift to both you and the birds, transforming the stark winter landscape into a haven of life and color. Watching feathered visitors gather brings a sense of peace, connection to nature, and the reward of knowing you’re helping them thrive through the harsh winter months.
Setting up your bird feeder garden takes a bit of effort, but the joy it brings is well worth it. Pair your birdwatching with a birding journal to capture the magic and a cup of bird-friendly coffee to savor the moment. So cozy up by the window and enjoy the lively world you've created just outside your door!
Happy birdwatching!
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