Ski Landscape
  • Welcome
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs & Application
  • Ski Landscape Products
    • Ski Landscape Mulch
    • Brush Dumping
    • Stone
    • Soil
  • Commercial Services
  • Ski Landscape Blog
  • Ski Landscape Photo Gallery
  • The Mulch Trailer
  • The Tree Pincher
  • Landscape Industry News
  • For Sale
  • Sitemap
  • Welcome
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs & Application
  • Ski Landscape Products
    • Ski Landscape Mulch
    • Brush Dumping
    • Stone
    • Soil
  • Commercial Services
  • Ski Landscape Blog
  • Ski Landscape Photo Gallery
  • The Mulch Trailer
  • The Tree Pincher
  • Landscape Industry News
  • For Sale
  • Sitemap
Search

Winter care of our feathery friends

11/19/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
With the threat of cold winter weather, Indiana's local bird population needs help finding food, water and shelter. You can turn your backyard into a favorite haven for a wide variety of feathery friends.

​To attract the greatest number of birds, it is important to offer several different bird feeders scattered throughout the yard. Feeders most useful in winter have a wide cover over feeding ports, perches and dispensing trays so seed is not buried during snowfalls. Ideally, feeders should be placed at the south side of your home to catch winter sun. They should be placed in a sheltered location near protective cover such as hedges or a brush pile to keep birds safe from predators.

Feeders need to be cleaned and sterilized regularly to minimize mold, mildew and other unhealthy conditions that cause disease among backyard birds. Make sure to clean feeders after each storm so seed is easily accessible.

The best foods to offer birds contain a high fat or oil content which provides energy for winter survival. Nutritious winter foods for birds include:

Black-oil sunflower seed--eaten by almost all birds.

Peanuts--de-shelled, dry-roasted and unsalted are high in protein and a high energy food.

Suet--high in fat which provides energy and helps birds stay warm. Suet can also tolerate the colder temperatures.

Mixed seeds--combining sunflower seeds, cracked corn, millet and maybe some peanut hearts creates a tasty treat for most birds.

Thistle--especially good for small finches.

Safflower--a favorite food for cardinals.

Cracked corn--broken into small, manageable bits for birds. Squirrels and deer love cracked corn also.

Fruit--an important dietary element for birds. Set out grapes, slices of citrus fruits, apples or banana slices.

Ground dog biscuits--loved by bluejays and chickadees.

Birds also need water for drinking and bathing. A heated birdbath will provide birds with liquid water all year long.

Leave nesting boxes and birdhouses up to provide winter roosting areas.

By taking care of wintering birds, you can enjoy their lively backyard antics from the comfort of your warm home making these long, cold months not so bad.
​


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Authors

    Current and former staff members have contributed to our newsletter over the years. Now the articles are available to view here on our blog

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    1994
    1995
    1996
    1997
    1998
    1999
    2000
    2001
    2002
    2007
    Ann
    Edible Plants
    Evergreens
    Feature Foliage
    From The President
    Gardening Tips
    Garden Pests
    John
    Mark Reynold
    Phil
    Ski Notes
    Trees
    Vicki Tennant

© 2023 Ski Landscape Corporation - Website by Day Design
  • Welcome
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs & Application
  • Ski Landscape Products
    • Ski Landscape Mulch
    • Brush Dumping
    • Stone
    • Soil
  • Commercial Services
  • Ski Landscape Blog
  • Ski Landscape Photo Gallery
  • The Mulch Trailer
  • The Tree Pincher
  • Landscape Industry News
  • For Sale
  • Sitemap