Our Feathered Friends whom enjoy the winter with us!

[AJE]

Winter: 'Tis the season for feeding birds all across North America, especially in our regions of the mighty cold, wind and snow.

Hi All, I tell you taking up residence along side of a woodsy area sure does have its perks. Since the first snowfall I have been supplying the feathered friends with all the necessities to help them during our winter. From just mere feet away in my living room I have been enjoying many varieties of songbirds, upland foul and a few loud squawkers! So far I have a tabletop standing bird feeder, a few suet feeders and a heated birdbath for their pleasure. I’m hoping to add an ancient artificial Christmas tree to give them some ‘safety’ shelter.

I’m wondering does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for a “Birdie” Christmas tree, which would benefit them for the winter? (But mind you I do live in an apartment on the second floor.) I so far have on my to do list; natural garland of popcorn, cranberries, dried apples and blueberries for their enjoyment. I also would like to create suet balls and pinecone treats. Unfortunately this will be my first time creating these appetizing treats, does anyone in the family have any great recipes which could be used on this tree? :wink:

[Crys]

I haven't made mine yet; I forgot to pick up pinecones before the snow fell. You can get "no-mess" bird feed at places like steins where the nuts and seeds are already shelled - that works really well on pine cone treats. You put peanut butter (cardinals seem to like the crunchy kind better than the smooth, but I'm always careful to get organic peanut butter for it) on the pinecones and then dip them in the bird feed, kind of like making candy apples. Those work best if you tie them into a tree near a branch. You'll probably lose them to squirrels pretty fast though.

[AJE]

Fruity Delicious

Have you ever wondered how to attract a variety of less common wild birds to your backyard habitat? Offer fruit!


No matter how you serve them whole, sliced or dried you’ll almost surely see birds you haven’t seen before. There are several ways to present fruit offerings. Offer them sliced hanging from a skewer or on a fruit spike feeder. Or just lay them out on some sort of platform feeder, I guarantee the berries or fruit will be found!

**Note** It is important to check your fruit offerings daily for any spoilage, especially during the warmer months. Also, be sure to clean this type of feeders often to minimize any bacteria.

Make sure to also check out the specials at the local grocery, which are available year round. You’ll be amazed by the species, which the berries will attract.

Strawberries: :arrow: Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks, Common Flickers, Catbirds, Towhees, Robins, Cedar Waxwings, Northern Mockingbird, Blue Jays and many more!!!

Apples: :arrow: Cedar Waxwings, Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Grosbeaks, Blue Jays, Common Flickers, Chickadees, Red-Headed Woodpeckers, Robins, Bobwhites, Northern Mockingbird, house Finches and many more!!!

Oranges: :arrow: Northern Mockingbird, Orioles, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks, Catbird, Scarlet Tanagers and many more!!!

Blueberries: :arrow: Tufted Titmice, Towhees, Orioles, Common Flickers, Black-Capped Chickadees, Robins and many more!!!

Grapes: :arrow: Evening Grosbeaks, Robins, Brown Thrashers, Blue Jays, Cedar Waxwings, Cardinals, Northern Mockingbirds, Orioles, Towhees, House Finches, Eastern Bluebird and many more!!!

[AJE]

The winter months I know are long and most folks stick to the indoors. :? But do I ever have an idea, which will benefit you and the wild birds. :idea: A snowman, yep you’ll enjoy creating it and the birds will love to eat it. Not only is building a snowman a fun and festive way to welcome back our winter, but it will also be a creative way to feed the backyard critters. :wink:

Build a snowman, and then do all the extra trimmings using birdseed, fruits and other bird foods to offer an artistic birdie restaurant! Number one key USE YOUR IMAGINATION!

The following is some guidelines, but your options are wide open!
:arrow: Eyebrows: millet sprigs
:arrow: Smile: Cobs of corn
:arrow: Head: Sunflower Seed (Hair)
:arrow: Buttons: Suit Balls
:arrow: Branches: bird perches to eat

:P So when “Cold Maker” comes calling and is giving the winter blues, go gather your family and friends then head out to your backyard habitat. Enjoy creating a truly original snowman. Not only will you get fresh air and have an opportunity to be one with nature, but also your birds will be well feed during a hard time of the year for food foraging.