Bringing Birds to Your Yard–Cold Weather Edition

By Holly Ennist Stewart

With winter rapidly approaching, it’s time to help our feathered friends survive the worst the season has to offer. Over the last 50 years, the wild bird population in North America is estimated to have declined by 3 billion, a loss of one in every four individuals. The reasons behind this include climate change and human encroachment, both of which have had a devastating impact on the natural habitats and food sources of wild birds. They are also prone to the perils of domestic cats and flying into windows.

The bottom line is that we can quell this tide of loss by giving birds the tools they need to succeed. Regardless of whether you have a large backyard or a townhouse balcony, you can provide birds with water, food, shelter and nesting opportunities that will make a difference in their lives. And there’s something in it for you, too, because watching wild birds is a mindful, educational activity for all ages.

First and foremost, if you want birds to make regular visits to your property, give them a clean, reliable water source to drink from and bathe in. A fancy birdbath makes a nice decorative touch, but an old garbage can lid turned upside down works just as well. The water should be changed frequently and the receptacle cleaned every month using a mild (ten percent) bleach solution. When temperatures dip below freezing, a bubbler will keep ice from forming on the surface. And though birds can ingest snow to stay hydrated, it requires extra energy, so this is a last resort.

Feeders supplement the wild bird diet by 20 percent or more. They come in many different shapes and sizes. Most employ seed mixes, but specialty feeders accommodate suet, nectar, fruit or thistle. Match the feeder with the right food to bring in specific birds. For example, platform and hopper feeders can be filled with mixed seed to bring in songbirds of all sizes, from chickadees to cardinals. Tube feeders are also strictly for seed; they attract smaller species like finches and titmice while keeping squirrels at bay. Suet brings in the woodpeckers, nuthatches and jays, although smaller birds like wrens will stop by for a high protein snack. Finches favor thistle, while nectar is reserved for the warmer months when hummingbirds are visiting the region.

Placement of feeders is almost as crucial as what you put into them. Wild birds feel safer when there is cover nearby, so if possible, install feeders a short flight from trees and shrubs. Many birds will take one seed at a time and retreat to a shady bower to eat it in peace. To keep squirrels from eating the lion’s share, use baffles under the feeders or run them along a cable or rope at least 6 feet above the ground and 10 feet from adjacent trees. 

Birds sleep in a variety of places during the colder months. Some roost together in thickets. Others seek the eaves of houses. Many use existing cavities in trees or carve out their own, padding them with bits of string, lint and material as well as leaf litter. So don’t clean out your flower beds completely if you want to help the locals stay warm. Bird houses and boxes should be made of natural materials, not plastic, as it may get too hot inside. This is particularly important during the breeding season, before nestlings become fledglings. If you want to encourage bird parents to raise their young on your property, secure birdhouses to a pole or tree before the beginning of March.

When spring returns, give the feeders a good cleaning before putting them away. Then it’s time to think about what plants you can bring in to keep birds visiting year-round. We’ll explore that topic in a future installment. Until then, happy birding!

Holly Ennist Stewart is a lifelong North Jersey resident. In 2017, she left a decades-long career in the newspaper industry to work with plants and people who love them. She’s been on staff at Glenwild since 2021.