Feeding the Birds This Winter?

Why not feed the birds this winter? Feeding is fun,easy and educational. Children especially will enjoy watching birds eat,and will learn a lot about birds in the process.

First either make or buy a bird feeder. This can be as simple as a coffee can feeder or a specially designed one from a store. There are many styles to choose from, but keep in mind it will be cold outside when you refill, so keep it simple. What to feed? Most stores sell wild bird food, sunflower seed and other foods. Wild bird feed attracts many kinds of birds because there are many kinds of seeds in it.

That fact and the price -$5.00 for forty pounds- make it my first choice. I like to supplement this with a "Christmas tree for the birds". Select a small evergreen, shrub , or any tree limb. Hang favorite bird foods from the branches. Oranges sliced about one fourth inch thick can be threaded and hung, as can pinecones.

Spread extra chunky peanut butter all over the pinecone, fasten a wire or string to it and hang on your tree. You can mix the peanut butter with some oatmeal or cornmeal for extra nutrition.

Take the red mesh bags onions come in. Cut them into 4" squares, fill with small chunks of suet or beef fat, close with a twist tie and hang from branches.Suet squares can also be bought from many pet stores. The birds will love these extra treats and the fats will help keep them warm in this cold season.

What about feeding bread? Many people throw bread out for the birds and it does no harm. Just remember bread has less nutritional value then bird seed mixes, suet, peanut butter or fruits.

If you're going to feed bread, be sure and set out a good grainy bread made from whole wheat with lots of seeds in it. One other very important thing to remember is keep the bird feeder clean. I clean mine with a wire brush and hot water when needed. Usually only the brush is needed.

Remember keep it clean, keep it simple, keep it well filled and bird feeding will provide you with many hours of entertainment.