Bringin' in the Birds

(Page 4 of 4)

February/March 2004
 
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OFFER TREATS, TOO

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Birds needn't live by birdseed alone. Offer treats occasionally, too. Crackers, doughnuts, raisin bread, cooked sweet potato, baked beans, dry pet chow and cut pieces of fruit—apples, bananas, pears, plums—are popular snacks at backyard feeders. Grape and apple jellies are favored by overwintering warblers and make good cold-weather food because they don't freeze. Coconut meat is a favorite of woodpeckers, chickadees and titmice. Just crack open a nut and hang the pieces from branches. (Don't serve dry shredded coconut, because it swells after being swallowed. And straight peanut butter can be too sticky for small species to manage.)

PLANT LIVING FEEDERS

Feeding birds commercial birdseed helps them through harsh winter conditions, but it's no substitute for improving backyard habitat. In spring and fall, plant a variety of trees, shrubs and other vegetation that not only serve up food such as buds and berries but also provide shelter and nesting sites. Holly, winterberry, cotoneaster and many other food-bearers yield nutritious fare that's more appealing to a wider variety of birds than commercial food. Nurseries and garden centers can help you choose the "living bird feeders" that grow best in your area.

ENJOY THE SHOW

Hey, winter's a tough time for humans, too. Fortunately, we have our feathered friends to help. Watching their cheerful antics as they come and go at your feeders definitely puts a brighter face on the season. Be sure to take time each day to snuggle up in a cozy chair near a window and enjoy the show.

Mother Earth News

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