This is for the Birds!
Winter can be a tough season for the wild birds that grace our backyards and public spaces. But we can help out our feathered friends by offering the food, water, and shelter during the colder months in Virginia.
By the time we’re finished feasting for Thanksgiving, most of the natural food supply for birds, such as insects, are dormant, and seeds and berries can be hidden by leaves or snow. A typical suburban landscape of grass, cropped bushes, and non-native trees and plants doesn’t offer much for birds. This is why humans can provide some much-needed nourishment!
You probably know that the Cardinal is our official state bird. Other common sightings include the American Goldfinch, Blue Jay, Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, Common Grackle, Evening Grosbeak, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Purple Finch, Tufted Titmouse, and a variety of Sparrows. Here’s a guide from Virginia Tech with pictures and descriptions of these birds that’s good for children or beginners. Or you can get the Audubon Bird Guide app here to have conveniently on your phone.
There are many different kinds of bird feeders sold. Wild Birds Unlimited is one of the experts in this area, with several stores across the state to visit, or you can order online. They even offer baffles to install near you bird feeders to thwart those pesky (but cute) squirrels. However, you can also scatter seeds on the ground, or make your own feeders for birds. Here’s how to make a pine cone feeder, and here’s a short video with instructions to make shaped bird seed treats with cookie cutters!
One of the very best ways to offer food and shelter for birds during the winter is to provide them with native plants and trees in your backyard, or any public space such as a school or house of worship where you have permission to add plants to the landscape. You don’t have to have acres of land to offer a meaningful oasis to birds, and you don’t need to tear out all the plants that you already have growing. Just plant some native Virginia wildflower seeds, such as Black-eyed Susan, Yarrow, and Asters in with your other border plants, and the birds will find them. If you’d like a free packet of wildflower seeds, just go to our website and take the pledge to end litter, and we’ll send you one (while supplies last)!
Winter is an excellent time to plan improvements to your backyard garden. Your local Extension Office can answer any questions you might have, and provide you with resources. And Virginia Tech has an excellent guide to creating inviting habitats for birds! The publication is available in PDF and Epub formats.
So read up a little, plan a little, and do what you can for the birds this winter!