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Winter
birdfeeding is a fun and rewarding pastime. Whether you just
throw out some bread on the ground, or fill a feeder
regularly, or go all out with suet and suet balls and niger
seed and the like, your efforts will pay off with the sights
and sounds of dozens of winter birds.
Muskoka plays hosts to a
number of bird species in the winter, from the resident
chickadees and blue jays to winter finches such as redpolls
and grosbeaks to the unusual, including Carolina Wrens and
Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Your might even find a Northern
Shrike, a Barred Owl or other bird of prey visiting your
feeder on occasion.
Basically it can be as
simple as putting up a homemade shelf or an inexpensive
store-bought feeder. Location is important, so try to hang
it in an open area, at least 2-3 metres away from any bushes
where cats can hide, and off of the ground approx. 1.5
metres, (allow for snow). Try to hang it out of reach or
squirrels, unless you like spending your birdfeeding budget
feeding them. And be sure to hang the feeder where you can
view it from a comfortable spot inside the house.
What you feed the birds depends on what birds are in your
area, as well as your budget.
I have fed just black sunflower seeds some winters
and have attracted chickadees, Evening and Pine Grosbeaks,
both nuthatch species, Purple Finches and more. Suet is
eaten by all of the above but also attracts both Downy and
Hairy woodpeckers. I have had a Northern Shrike come
regularly to my suet as well. The suet-seed balls are a real
treat for birds, providing both seed and fat.
A seed mix is popular
with American Tree Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos and Mourning
Doves, as well as American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins and
Redpolls. If you are feeling extravagant try niger or
thistle seed for the last 3 species. Peanuts, in the shell
or shelled, are enjoyed by jays.
Once you have established
your eatery and have the birds coming regularly, (it may
take a few days for the birds to discover your newly opened
bistro) you’ll want to know what you are looking at. A
pair of binoculars and a bird guide – the golden guides
are good for this – will help you know what species are
visiting.
Keep a list of species
you see – you’ll be surprised at the variety. And if you
want to get more involved try Project Feederwatch, a
continental survey of winter birds that visit backyard
feeders in North America, taking place from Dec. 1 to
Feb. 28/02. Information is at www.bsc-eoc.org/national/pfw.html.
You
could even be a feeder participant in the annual Christmas
Bird Count. There’ll be more on this event in another
story in December.
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