One of the easiest things to provide, and high on the list of needs, is water. Adding a heater or deicer coil to an existing birdbath, or purchasing a birdbath with the heater built in, can provide the perfect winter oasis for your feathered friends. Just be sure to keep the birdbath clean. Frequent cleaning with a mild bleach and scrub brush and thorough rinsing prior to refilling will ensure a healthy water source.
Providing shelter is
another way to help. There is a shortage of nesting sites for cavity-nesting
birds due to land development, introduction of competing species like starlings,
and the use of pesticides.
The use of birdhouses
and nesting boxes has helped many species make a comeback. Landscaping that
provides shelter can also be a great help. Evergreen trees and shrubs provide a
welcome resting place out of the wind, snow or rain. Birds gather in groups
towards the inside and huddle together to create more warmth. Placing food and
water near these nesting or respite areas allows them to make shorter journeys
for these things, which means less time battling the elements and using up
their energy reserves. More than 50 species of birds will use birdhouses
including Chickadees, Bluebirds, Titmice, Woodpeckers, Wrens, Swallows and
Nuthatches.
Requirements for a good birdhouse are: it must be able to open up for cleaning, and must have ventilation holes in the bottom (these should be plugged up for winter roosting). The houses should have a slanted roof to allow for water runoff, and they should NOT have perches. Cavity-nesting birds do not need them and the perches only allow predator access to the nest.
Placing the birdhouse
on a pole will help discourage predators. However, certain species, like
Chickadees and Woodpeckers, prefer nesting in trees, thus attaching the house
directly to a tree is what works best for them. The house should face south or
southwest so it is facing away from the direction most storms approach. Be sure
you have provided a clear flight path to the entrance but approximately 10 feet
away from other trees or structures. It should get direct sun for a good part
of the day. At the end of the fall, be sure to clean out the old nesting
material. Another source of shelter can be provided by your used Christmas
tree, particularly if you have few or no other evergreens. Next year, once the
holidays are over, take your tree outside and set it up near your house, feeder
or winterized birdbath.
The final piece of the
puzzle is providing food. Particularly here in Missouri, winter is a difficult
time for the bird species that have chosen to overwinter here. The days are
short and cold. There is little to no vegetation, and most of the insects are
dead or dormant. Now is an excellent time to purchase a feeder if you do not
already have one. Most songbirds feed on insects and spiders during the spring
and summer; however, the non-migratory species switch to fruit and seeds in the
fall and winter. Black oil sunflower seeds
are preferred by the largest number of bird species. Not only are these seeds
very nutritious and high in fat, but their small size makes them easier for
smaller species to split them open. Be sure to scatter some seed on the ground
and beneath trees and shrubs for birds that prefer to feed in these locations.
Feeders with platforms provide the right type of feeding station for species
that do not perch, such as Cardinals. High-energy food, like suet and peanut
butter, are an added benefit for all birds and provide much needed fat. So with
this information, I hope now you will enjoy the antics of our feathered
friends.
It is also time to
think about starting any garden and flower seeds in the house that you may want
to grow this year. The choices are many. Our last frost date is around May 1st,
so back up the weeks on the calendar for seed starting so you know when the
best time for planting in the house would be. Ample light is very important for
this task. Seed varieties can be found in many forms also. Besides the tried
and true varieties grown for years, heirlooms and organic seeds are now readily
available. Botanical Interest is a wonderful line of garden seeds that offers
health and recipe information on the packets. They are great for the beginner and
experienced gardener.
Now would be a good
time to finish cleaning, sharpening, and oiling your yard tools. Check the
handles of all of your yard tools to make sure they are not broken,
splintering, or otherwise dangerous, and replace those that are. Also, make
sure that your wheelbarrow is sturdy and your lawnmower, roto-tiller, and
string trimmer are in good working condition and ready to start on the first
pull this spring. Another cold weather job is cleaning up any containers or
planters that you have stored away. While doing this, make a list of the
flowers that you are going to need for these containers in the spring
Until next month,
Sandi Hillermann
McDonald
