I love snow and we finally have a 5 day weather report with 2 days of snow ahead! The excitement in the air here is monumental! There’s talk of rushing to the shed to pull out the snow play equipment, finding gloves, calling friends to meet at the big hill and for me, there’s talk of winter bird feeding.
Oh sure I’ll be the one washing all of the hats and gloves at the end of the day, and I’ll take some really neat pictures of the kids speeding down the big snow hill but I do also worry about the birds during winter. Birds play an important part in the eco system (if you are a bug or spider hater then you should be a BIG bird enthusiast) and you’ll note after several days of snow covered ground that some birds just didn’t make it through the cold. It’s hard to forage when everything is snow covered – image trying to decide if you’ll hunker down in a storm and stay safe deep in an evergreen tree as close to the trunk as possible or fight the storm and endlessly forage for something, anything…. the stay alive.
And so, although I know some naturalist prefer to only bird watch and not feed I’m a big proponent of winter bird feeding when the ground is covered in slush, ice or snow making it difficult to find a small meal for our feathery friends. My mother was a bird lover and I’m so glad I’ve passed that love of nature on to my children. I love hearing the excitement in their voices when they yell for me to “Quick, come to the window!” Here are my Winter Bird Feeding Guidelines as well as some fun activities for kids to help with winter bird feeding and last, my fun list of great bird books for children;
Winter Bird Feeding Guidelines;
Rule #1: If the ground is going to be covered in slush, ice or snow for a 2nd full day start feeding your outside wild birds.
Rule #2: When using seed for winter bird feeding use large seed mixtures. They may cost a couple of bucks more per large 25lb bag but this will have the greatest appeal to the largest variety of birds. Note the ratio of sun flower seed is high in this mix and very low in this mix.
Rule #3: Many, many birds can benefit from suet in the winter because it’s such a beneficial source of energy. You can place suet in trees, feeders or onto wooden dowels.
Rule #4: Winter water is seriously necessary! Now if you have the money and time a heater watering source is optimal for winter bird watering. Here’s a simple high selling water de-icer for winter that is less than $25 bucks. It’s simple and serves the purpose. If that isn’t an option plan on a watering source from your house. It will freeze over at some point but if you can make it a part of a winter routine birds will come to expect it at the same time each day and they’ll accommodate for the winter.
Rule #5: Feeder placement – If you have hanging feeders move them under your roof line where you generally hand your summer flower baskets, as most already have hooks applied under roof. This keeps them out of the snowy, slushy, harsh conditions and is easier for the wild bird population.
Top 5 Bird Books for family & Children:
- National Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America: The Best Birding Book for Kids from National Geographic’s Bird Experts – This book is less than $10 and had excellent 5 Star reviews!!
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Birds, Nests & Eggs (Take Along Guides) – This book is less than $6 bucks and is a great carry with you guide!
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About Birds: A Guide for Children – This book is a little over $7 and has 4.5 star in the reviews. We have this book and love it. I’ve used it with 3 of my 4 kids!
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Beginning Birdwatcher’s Book: With 48 Stickers (Dover Children’s Activity Books) – I’m a big fan of the “Dover activity books” especially because kids enjoy books that are interactive. This book is less than $6
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Backyard Birds (Field Guides for Young Naturalists) – Again less than $6 and a great field young for natural young bird enthusiasts!
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