Winter is “For The Birds!”

February 8, 2016 Leave a comment


By John Wilson, Extension Educator

This week is much better, but if you’re like me, last week wasn’t good to do much of anything outside if you didn’t have to. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors. I know my wife and I both spent time watching the bird feeders behind our house on some of those cold, snowy days.

It’s amazing at the number of birds that come to the feeders. We’ve gotten to where we even name some of the regulars. Our highlight so far this winter was 23 cardinals (that we could count at one time) that came to our feeders late one afternoon after last week’s snowstorm.

Winter provides challenges for bird feeding. It’s easy for snow or rain to get into feeders and turn the seed moldy. This become a potential sources of illness for birds. So keep feeders clean to help prevent the spread of disease to backyard birds.

You should clean and disinfect feeders on a regular basis, taking care to scrape out old moldy seed that collects in corners. Wash feeders in warm water with dish soap and rinse. Disinfect with a solution of one part liquid chlorine bleach to nine parts warm water. Make sure feeders are completely dry before refilling with seeds.

It’s important to keep feeding birds once you start so they don’t become dependent on you as a food source, only to run out of food during periods of severe weather like we had last week. You know, the kind of days you really don’t want to go outside to fill the bird feeders.

Also, if possible, provide water for birds. This is extremely important during the winter because other sources of water may not be available. It seems chilly, but birds regularly use our heated bird bath. Besides water to drink, they use it to help keep their feathers clean which makes them “fluffier,” for lack of a better term, which gives them better insulation against bitter cold temperatures.

Now if you really enjoy bird watching, there’s an event this weekend you won’t want to miss … and you can take part from the comfort of their home. The 19th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will take place later this week, February 12-15. Participants are needed to count birds in their yards, neighborhoods, or other locations. Simply tally birds for at least 15 minutes on any day of the count, then go to www.birdcount.org and enter the highest number of each species seen at any one time.

This program is conducted worldwide. Coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Bird Studies Canada, the count provides an instant snapshot of birdlife around the world. Last year, organizers received almost 150,000 checklists from more than 100 countries during the event. Also, you can watch as the tallies come in at www.birdcount.org.

You might be asking yourself, “Why count birds?” Bird populations are constantly changing. No single scientist or team of scientists could hope to keep track of the complicated patterns of movement of species around the world. The information from GBBC participants, combined with other surveys, helps scientists learn how birds are affected by environmental changes.

The information submitted can provide the first sign that individual species may be increasing or declining from year to year. Data gathered over many years help highlight how a species’ range may be expanding or shrinking. A big change, noted consistently over a period of years, is an indication that something is happening in the environment that is affecting the birds and that should receive attention. GBBC information also allows scientists to look at what kinds of birds inhabit different areas, such as cities and suburbs compared to more natural habitats.

Whether you observe birds in backyards, parks, or wilderness areas, the Great Backyard Bird Count is an opportunity to share their results at www.birdcount.org. It’s fun and rewarding for people of all ages and skill levels–and it gets people outside… or you can watch from inside, too!

So, to take part in this activity “for the birds,” go to www.birdcount.org for online instructions and tally sheets… then enjoy our feathered friends.

John Wilson

John Wilson

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Feeding Birds

December 21, 2015 Leave a comment


By John Wilson, Extension Educator

One of the easiest ways to enjoy wildlife in the comfort of your home is to watch birds at a feeder. You’ll be amazed at the variety of birds that will come to your feeder throughout the year. Experts disagree about whether backyard bird feeding will significantly help bird populations. But feeding certainly can help individual birds living near your home.

Some people, like my wife and I, will feed birds year-round. While this isn’t necessary, we enjoy watching the birds that are attracted to our backyard. However, the most critical time to feed birds is during spring and fall migration, when birds need extra energy, and especially during the winter and early spring when other food sources for birds that spend the winter here may be depleted or covered with snow. At this time of year, it’s important to keep feeding birds once you start. Birds may become dependent on your feeders and an interruption in their food supply can stress them.

Set up your feeders in a quiet place where they are easy to see and convenient to refill. Feeders close to natural shelter such as trees or shrubs offer resting places for birds between feeding bouts and a quick refuge if a hawk flies through. Evergreens are ideal, their thick foliage buffers winter winds and offers year-round hiding places from predators.

Be careful not to locate your feeder too close to cover, though. Nearby branches can provide easy access for seed-hungry squirrels and hiding places for bird-hungry cats. A distance of about 10 feet seems to be a good compromise, but try experimenting. You can provide resting and escape cover for ground-feeding birds by placing shrubs or loosely stacked brush piles near your feeders.

There are many types of feeders and different types will be used by different birds. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Bird feeder options include tray or platform feeders, hopper or house feeders, window feeders, tube feeders, nyjer feeders and suet feeders.

Some feeders will come with shields over the top, or you can get optional shields, that discourage other animals such as squirrels or raccoons from jumping down on a feeder from a nearby tree. Notice I said discourage because my experience is these seed robbing critters like to figure out how to overcome any obstacle you might throw in their way. Other feeders will close access to the feed when the weight of a larger animal is detected, but remain open when birds are feeding.

There are just as many types of bird food as there are types of bird feeders. Some of the more common food sources include sunflower seed, proso millet, milo, cracked corn, or mixtures of these seeds… as well as nyjer seed and suet blocks. Different birds will be attracted to different types of seed. So put up a couple feeders and use different types of bird food in different feeders. Don’t forget to scatter a little seed on the ground for those birds that won’t go to the feeders, but will feed on the ground for seed you left them or that other birds scattered out of the feeders.

There are a number of sources of information about birds on-line, but one I have found particularly helpful is the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s website at www.allaboutbirds.org. They also have a couple of interesting programs where you watch and count the birds that you observe. One of these is called FeederWatch and the other is the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Just as important as feeding birds during the winter is a supply of fresh water. You can purchase birdbath heaters that keep water from freezing during the winter. Besides drinking water, birds need water to keep their feathers clean and fluffy to protect them against cold temperatures.

Remember, bird feeders and waterers make great Christmas presents for that hard to shop for person. For more information on feeding birds, check out www.allaboutbirds.org or contact your local Nebraska Extension office.

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Great Backyard Bird Count Coming

February 21, 2014 Leave a comment


By John Wilson

John Wilson

John Wilson

This open winter hasn’t been great for bird watching, they don’t seem to come to our feeders when the weather is nice. But my wife and I notice an increase in activity on particularly cold or windy days. We enjoy being able to sit at the dining room table and see all the different birds that come in to feed.

Based on our experiences, here are a few suggestions if you are feeding our feathered friends. Anyone who feeds birds knows how easy it is for seed to turn moldy in feeders. Moisture from snow or rain can leak into feeders and turn bird seed into potential sources of illness for birds. You should keep feeders clean to help prevent the spread of disease to backyard birds.

Clean and disinfect feeders on a regular basis, taking care to scrape out old moldy seed that collects in corners. Wash feeders in warm water with dish soap and rinse. Disinfect with a solution of one part liquid chlorine bleach to nine parts warm water. Make sure feeders are completely dry before refilling with seeds.

It’s important to keep feeding birds once you start so they don’t become dependent on you as a food source, only to run out of food during periods of severe weather. You know, the kind of days you really don’t want to go outside to fill the bird feeders.

Also, if possible, provide water for birds. This is extremely important during the winter because other sources of water may not be available. It seems chilly, but birds regularly use our heated bird bath. Besides water to drink, they use it to help keep their feathers clean which makes them, for lack of a better term, fluffier! This extra insulation gives them better protection against bitter cold temperatures.

Now, if you REALLY enjoys bird watching, there’s an event in February you won’t want to miss … and you can take part from the comfort of their home. The 17th annual Great Backyard Bird Count will be February 14–17. Participants are needed to count birds in their yards, neighborhoods, or other locations. Simply tally birds for at least 15 minutes on any day of the count, then go to www.birdcount.organd enter the highest number of each species seen at any one time.

This program used to be held in the United States and Canada, but is now conducted worldwide. Coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Bird Studies Canada, the count provides an instant snapshot of birdlife across the continent. Organizers hope to receive more than 100,000 checklists during the event. Also, you can watch as the tallies come in at www.birdcount.org.

Whether you observe birds in your backyard, a parks, or a wilderness area, the Great Backyard Bird Count is an opportunity to share their results at www.birdcount.org. It’s fun and rewarding for people of all ages and skill levels–and it gets people outside… or you can watch from inside, too!

Information from the Great Backyard Bird Count participants is even more valuable as scientists  try to learn how birds are affected by environmental changes. The information you send in can provide the first sign that individual species may be increasing or declining from year to year. It also shows how a species’ range expands or shrinks over time. A big change, noted consistently over a period of years, is an indication that something is happening in the environment that is affecting the birds and that should be followed up on.

So, to take part in this activity for the birds, go to www.birdcount.org for online instructions and tally sheets… then enjoy our feathered friends. My wife and I participated for the first time last year… it’s easy and it’s fun!

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