My mother has been feeding and watching wild birds, squirrels, chipmunks, ducks, possums, raccoons, and any other sort of small wild animal native to Ohio for as long as I can remember. We moved to Ohio from Florida when I was still a kid, and she took to the wildlife here like a duck to water.
With the winter months kicking into full gear, you may be wondering what you can do to help your feathered friends stay healthy and warm during these chilly months. As the colder months near, bird watching can become more enjoyable for the viewer, but the winter makes it a difficult time for a bird to survive.
If you are an avid wild bird feeder and watcher like I am, you want to attract as many different kinds of wild birds as possible to your yard. One of the key ways to accomplish that is by using a variety of wild bird feeders. Different birds have different feeding styles and preferences.
A bird wants the same sort of things in and around their homes and feeding areas as humans and other animals do. To consider an area safe to feed, birds look for food, water, shelter, and lack of predators. No matter where you live, providing a variety of foliage with plenty of spaces in between for birds to fly in is a standard.
If you are a wild bird lover like me, you want to see your feathered friends all year-round. I enjoy sipping on a cup of cocoa on chilly winter days and gazing out the window at blue jays playing in the snow. While most wildlife can adjust to the changes in weather and climate on their own, taking a few easy steps can ensure birds are visiting your yard through all four seasons.
John Flynn