Another blast of cold air is a chilly reminder; winter... and winter bird feeding... lie just ahead.
Your winter bird feeding, and the backyard show of birds that comes with it, is best enjoyed by starting early. "Birds are establishing their feeding routes; where they will be visiting," explains Pat Schlarbaum, with the Department of Natural Resources wildlife diversity program. "If you're in that 'loop,' so to speak, then you are going to be seeing a lotta songbirds, this time of year."
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service estimates about one million Iowans enjoy watching wildlife and spend $304 million a year on trips, equipment and supplies to pursue that past time. The largest share of that 'watchable wildlife' boom is most likely birding and the seed, suet and other high-calorie, high-protein food that makes it fun when winter envelopes the landscape.
"It's one of those things that improves the quality of our lives when we can connect with nature and have that immediate gratification of seeing songbirds and listening to their calls," offers Schlarbaum. "(Many of those people) feel like they are helping the birds and connecting with these wonderful resources."
Ronda Wilson has seen the fall birding boom for about a month now. The owner of Birds Eye View birding store in Coralville says a lot of our chickadees, cardinals and nuthatches are here year-round. "Others, the mourning doves, robins, redheaded woodpeckers for example, will shift to the south, if not full migration," says Wilson.
There will be plenty of new arrivals, too, as the hardier songbirds from Minnesota, Wisconsin and southern Canada decide that Iowa is far enough south for them.
And the best thing to set out for them? "Black oil sunflower seeds," echo Schlarbaum, Wilson and most other winter feeding experts. "I also suggest white proso millet and the thistle seed for many songbird species; suet, of course, for the woodpeckers," suggests Schlarbaum. "Peanuts really attract the tufted titmice. I suggest people set up individual feeders, rather than using the combination seed mixes in one feeder."
Those various feeders get a lot of attention, too. "The newest thing in feeders? Better ways to make them squirrel resistant," says Wilson. "Some of them even have fine adjustments, to keep out starlings and grackles."
Safflower seeds work, too. Squirrels ignore my old, house type feeder now that it is packed with safflower. And it still attracts cardinals and nuthatches. The sunflower seed and peanuts are in tube feeders, on poles; a lot harder to get to if the critter has fur instead of feathers. If squirrels...or pesky starlings start taking over, I stop stocking those feeders for a few days. The 'desirable' species have other stops to make in your neighborhood.
They'll be back. And the flocks of 'undesirables' will hopefully cross you off their mental maps and move on.
How to Ramp Up Your Bird Feeding Hobby?
Hemp. Wilson sells it as a supplement, "Bite for bite, hemp seed has more fat, oil and protein than other winter food sources. Plus it's a native Iowa species," plugs Wilson. And, yes, since you asked, the seed is sterile.
Year round? Get some cover on the ground for year round birding. "If you enjoy birds in the winter, try planting some natural cover; shrubs like wild plums, high bush cranberry; really beneficial to songbirds; escape cover, food and nesting cover," urges Schlarbaum.
Water. Birds need a drink, too. And a quick splash-even in sub freezing weather-lets them stay clean and regulate their body heat. An extension cord and an inexpensive clip on heating element keeps an open water supply...and multiplies the number of birds you will see. And use some of that water and disinfectant to clean out feeders before they are pressed into full winter service.
Learn More. Whether you rely on full service birding stores or reading it yourself, the more you know, the more you enjoy birding and the outdoors. That full service store wants your business and will advise you on the new techniques and products. A host of online sites and other links steer you in the right direction, too.
Just for fun... here's a quiz about winter bird feeding from Jim Pease, Iowa State University Extension, Wildlife Specialist
No comments:
Post a Comment