1. Maintain a good supply of nutrients, especially first thing in the morning. After a long, cold night, backyard birds need energy-dense foods like black oil sunflower seeds, high-quality suet, peanuts, and peanut butter.
2. Make sure bird feeders are free of snow and ice. After a heavy snowfall, my feeders are covered and need to be cleaned so the birds can get to their seeds and suet. I like to do it early in the morning so they are guaranteed a warm breakfast!
3. Purchase an inexpensive bird bath heater from your local garden center or online. Connect it to a UL listed and approved outdoor extension cord, place it in your bird bath or shallow water basin, and it will satisfy flocks of thirsty birds all winter long. I cover the heater with a flat stone, if only because it looks more natural to birds than a shiny metal object. But you don’t need to; Low voltage and protective coil cover keep birds safe.
4. Install drying boxes where birds can congregate at night. It should have indoor perches or an open net attached to the walls that the birds can cling to while they sleep. Roost boxes should also have a removable cleanout to get rid of debris and droppings on a regular basis. I use sawdust and saw dust in mine, which makes cleaning much easier.
5. Build a mound of brush that feathered visitors can use as shelter and food sources, especially during blizzard conditions. Start with a layer of dry leaves, and add larger trunks of young trees and saplings in a criss-cross fashion, which will leave pockets where birds can catch small insects, and stay warm. Add more to the pile as the branches fall and gather around your yard. If you have evergreens, they can be added to the top of the mound as a “roof”.
6. Conifers! These types of non-deciduous trees are ideal all around habitats for your birds. Check with local growers and nurseries for native species that will easily adapt and thrive in your area. Numerous fir trees, pines, and evergreen shrubs provide food, shelter, nesting grounds, and hiding areas from predators. Their bushy habits make them ideal for winter survival, and you’ll certainly appreciate wild birds in your own backyard.
While it is true that wild birds have adapted physically to deal with winter storms and cold temperatures, humans can still make a huge difference to their survival rates. And who doesn’t want more colorful and colorful chirping birds to brighten up their days?