Snowflakes and Songbirds: How to Help Birds Thrive in Winter

Winter Birds 101: Feeding, Attracting, and Caring for Your Feathered Neighbours

Winter in Georgina may be a frozen wonderland, but for our feathered friends, it’s survival mode. If you want to invite some delightful avian company to your yard, this blog is your guide to feeding birds in the winter. We'll cover why you should attract them, how to do it, what to feed them, tips for a bird-friendly garden, and even some DIY fun—kid-friendly ideas included!

 

Why Attract Birds in the Winter?

Winter birds aren’t just cute and chirpy—they’re also beneficial for your yard and mental health:

1. Natural Pest Control: Birds will eat overwintering insects and larvae, helping your garden get a pest-free start come spring.
2. Seed Spreaders: Many birds disperse seeds, contributing to biodiversity in your garden.
3. Winter Entertainment: Watching birds flit around on a snowy day is like having your own nature channel.
4. Vital Support: Natural food sources can be scarce in winter. By feeding birds, you’re helping them survive the cold months.
5. Kid Education: Attracting birds gives kids a hands-on way to learn about wildlife and ecosystems.

How to Attract Birds in Winter

1. Make Your Garden a Bird Haven: Provide a mix of food, water, and shelter to meet all their needs.
2. Vary Feed Options: Offering different types of feeders and food will attract a diverse group of birds.
3. Keep It Visible: Place feeders near trees or shrubs for safety and easy access but far enough from windows to prevent collisions.
4. Consistency Is Key: Once birds find your yard, they’ll rely on it. Don’t stop feeding mid-winter.
5. Add a Water Source: A heated birdbath can make your yard irresistible.

 

Tips for a Bird-Friendly Garden

• Plant Native: Native plants provide birds with the berries, seeds, and insects they naturally eat.
• Mix It Up: Incorporate evergreens, shrubs, and trees to offer shelter and food sources.
• Leave the Leaves: Don’t over-clean your yard—leaf piles and brush heaps offer cozy hiding spots.
• Limit Chemicals: Pesticides can harm birds directly or reduce their food supply.
• Install Birdhouses: Add birdhouses to encourage nesting birds to hang around year-round.

What Birds to Attract and How

Here’s who might visit you in Georgina and what they love:

• Chickadees: Small, curious, and adore sunflower seeds.
• Cardinals: These red beauties love safflower and sunflower seeds.
• Blue Jays: Fans of peanuts and corn, and they’ll let you know when you’re out of stock.
• Woodpeckers: They’ll flock to suet and nuts.
• Juncos: Ground feeders that nibble on millet and cracked corn.

 

What Feeders Work Best for Different Birds

• Tube Feeders: Ideal for small birds like chickadees and finches. Fill with sunflower seeds or nyjer.
• Platform Feeders: Great for ground-feeding birds like juncos and doves.
• Hopper Feeders: Suitable for cardinals and sparrows.
• Suet Cages: Attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, and even wrens.
• Peanut Feeders: Blue jays and woodpeckers will thank you.

What to Feed Birds in Winter

1. Seeds: Black-oil sunflower seeds are a universal favourite. Safflower and nyjer seeds are excellent for variety.
2. Suet: Packed with fat and energy—perfect for cold weather.
3. Nuts: Shelled peanuts or mixed nuts work wonders.
4. Fruit: Dried or fresh apples, raisins, and cranberries are a sweet treat.
5. Mealworms: For insectivores like robins and bluebirds, mealworms are the winter equivalent of gourmet dining.

 

More Than Food: Other Essentials for Birds

• Water: Invest in a heated birdbath to keep fresh water accessible.
• Shelter: Evergreens, brush piles, or even a birdhouse will keep birds cozy.
• Grit: Birds need grit (like sand or small pebbles) to digest their food.

Garden Features That Attract Birds

Already have a garden? Here’s what you can use:

• Seedheads: Leave perennials like coneflowers, sunflowers, and asters untrimmed for natural bird feed.
• Shrubs: Berry bushes like viburnum, holly, or sumac are bird magnets.
• Trees: Fruit trees (even crabapples) provide sustenance.

 

Fun DIY Bird Feeding Options

1. Pine cone Feeders: Smear a pine cone with peanut butter, roll it in birdseed, and hang it outside. Instant birdie bliss! 
2. Orange Bowl Feeder: Hollow out an orange, fill it with suet or seeds, and hang it using twine.
3. Milk Jug Feeder: Cut openings in an empty milk jug, fill it with feed, and secure it in a tree. Bonus: Kids can decorate it!
4. Fruit Garland: String apple slices, cranberries and blueberries on twine and hang it around the yard. Birds (and kids) will love this easy project.
5. DIY Birdseed Cakes: Mix tallow with birdseed and press into cookie cutters. Let it set and hang.

Kid-Friendly Bird Fun

• Bird Watching Bingo: Create a bingo card with common winter birds and let kids mark off what they spot.
• Journal It: Kids can document which birds visit and what they eat.
• Birdhouse Building: A fun carpentry project to give birds a warm place to rest.

So, there you have it, feeding birds in the winter is more than an act of kindness—it’s a way to bring life and colour to your snowy Georgina landscape. With a mix of food, water, shelter, and creativity, you’ll transform your yard into a winter wonderland for birds. Get the kids involved, try out some DIY feeders, and enjoy the flurry of feathered friends all season long. So, which bird feeder will you try first?

Happy gardening!