In regions of the United States that experience colder weather during the winter months, now is a good time to start planning for the birds and wildlife that will be using your backyard habitat.
Provide a source of unfrozen, fresh water for your local birds and wildlife during the winter months. Having a source of fresh water in your backyard during cold winter months will increase the amount of your backyard visitors! Placing a small bowl of warm water out twice a day and every day will be appreciated also.
Birds need plenty of places for roosting during the winter months to help stay warm. If you have woods on your property consider tossing your Christmas tree, if it was a fresh cut one, into the woods after you take it down for the holidays. Your local birds will use it for roosting space on cold winter days! Keep those bird houses up also in the winter! They provide a great shelter from the cold. You might consider providing a larger cedar bird roost that will accommodate 30 to 40 birds or more.
If you use a suet feeder place high-energy suet cakes in them during the cold season. They provide a quick source of energy and are a great way to substitute for protein rich insects that are hard to find in the winter. Suet cakes can be an essential staple for your local birds during the winter season and on cold snowy days. You can also make your own suet cakes by following our helpful suet cake and seed recipes.
Sprinkle seed on your lawn or on the open ground areas of your property for your ground feeding birds, especially after a snow fall. Your ground feeders will be very thankful!
Small containers filled with seeds, nuts or dry corn will provide a good food source for small mammals like squirrels, chipmunks and other small wildlife in your backyard habitat. The containers can be placed on the ground, inside a hollow log or under tree lines on your property. Try to keep these out of direct exposure to the outdoor elements. Your furry visitors will be happy and this will help keep them out of your bird feeders too!
By supplying local wildlife in backyard habitats with a good source of food, water and shelter you can increase the amount of wildlife visitors to your property during the winter season for your viewing pleasure and enjoyment.
I hope you find these backyard habitat tips helpful and I have appreciated your business and support through the years! My best to you and yours for a safe and healthy holiday season!
