How wonderful it is to sit at my dining room table and look outside at the birds feeding. I have fed those beautiful creatures for many years now and they know they can find food at my place. Many people only fed the birds in the winder when food is either covered by snow or is very scarce. We have been accustomed to feeding the birds in the winter only because this is what the retailers want you to believe. Most will only start putting out feeders in the autumn when the natural food supplies start to die down. Then they are taken done in the spring when the flowers start to bloom and the berries pop out.

One of the most well known bird feed stores, the Wild Bird Habitat is dedicated to providing such a wide variety of bird seed and other bird food that are all year long. My hat is off to them. They really care about our fine feathered friends. Birds will start to nest around the beginning of early spring. Migration will start around February and the birds need food to store for the energy they will need to head home.

Early summer and late spring is a crucial time for our birds. They are defining their territories; they molt this time of year and will mate and start making their nests. Having a few backyard bird feeders will help them as they won’t have to go out too far to find food for their new families. Many believe if you keep feeding birds all year long it will keep them from going out and finding their own food, this is just not true. They will still like those worms and bugs, no matter what kind of food you put out for them.

In each part of our country there are different species of birds. Buy a book about birds in your region No matter where you are it is thrilling to watch a cardinal come up and eat from one of your feeders. Crackles are black birds and can over power your feeders, as they are quite mean to the other birds. If this happens just put safflower seeds, as they don’t really like those types of seeds, same goes for those pesky little squirrels.

If you have the room in your backyard set up more than one feeder. Once the birds know they are there, and they will find them, you will have an array of birds in your backyard for sure. Grease the poles with lard if you don’t want the squirrels climbing up and stealing the birdfeed and they will. And don’t forget the water; birds need a lot of water just like humans. Always have fresh water for them, whether it is in a running foundation or some other container. Especially in the winter where water will freeze and the birds can’t get to it. So, happy bird watching!