How To Help Wild Birds During The Winter? wild birds could survive fairly well in the winter. The combination of climate change and declining bird habitat has made it tougher for birds to survive. There are some pretty simple things that you can do to ensure that the birds in your area can be healthy through the winter. It is great if you can do all of the things on the list, but as with all things, starting small is just fine.
1. If possible, place a variety of bird feeders out so that you can feed multiple types of birds. Purchasing higher quality feeders will be more economical in the long run.
2. Keep your feeders full of high quality bird feed. In the summer when there is a lot of food available, the quality of the bird feed is not as much of an issue as it is in the winter. If you can afford to purchase a higher quality bird feed, it will help the birds’ maintain an improved nutritional status in the cold months.
3. Provide water by installing a heated bird bath. Birds need to access water all year long. Place the heated bird bath near some feeders so that the birds will find it more readily. Years ago, my friend and I discussed the need to do this and decided not to mess with Mother Nature. Unfortunately, Mother Nature has been changing so quickly that many wild birds can no longer keep up. Thawed water is needed these days to keep birds healthy. Birds are far less likely to find your bird bath if food is not available close by.
4. Leave the plants in your garden rather than cutting them back. Gardeners call this winter interest, but birds can find seed to eat and possibly places nest for the winter.
5. Put out some bird houses to allow birds protection from bitter weather. Before your purchase bird houses do some research to find out what type of house you need to shelter birds that winter in your geographic region. In addition, make certain the house is functional and can be readily cleaned out annually.
6. Plant shrubs that birds can roost in.
7. Plant shrubs and trees with berries or fruit. Birds will access the remaining fruit or berries throughout the winter.
