Winter Wildlife: Attracting Birds To Your Backyard

As we retreat indoors for the winter, let’s not forget about our feathered friends. In the winter, most birds head further south for the winter, but there are some species that don’t take the risk. These birds only go as far as Georgia and give us a chance to see birds we wouldn’t see in the summer. These birds will be looking for a comfortable spot to spend the winter. If you provide them everything they need they might just stick around all season for you to enjoy.

Provide The Right Food

Food is harder to find in the winter, even in Georgia. Make life easier for birds by hanging more than a few bird feeders. If you are serious about attracting birds in the winter then you need to provide more than one type of food source.

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflowers are the favorite of most seed-eating birds. There are about 40 species of birds that eat sunflower seeds. Some notable birds that love sunflower seeds are Cardinals, jays, sparrows, titmice, and chickadees

Cracked Corn

Cracked corn is relatively cheap and can attract a variety of wildlife such as bluebirds, crows, pheasants, turkeys, and deer. Cracked corn can be put in seed feeders, barrel feeders, or just spread on the ground.

Suet 

Suet is made from beef fat and attracts insect-eating birds such as woodpeckers, wrens, chickadees, nuthatches, and titmice. Suet should be placed in special feeders and at least five feet off the ground. Do not put suet out in hot weather.

Thistle Seed: Thistle seeds require a special type of feeder. Thistle feeders are perfect for hanging on porches or on hooks off of your main feeder. Provide thistle seeds to attract goldfinches, house finches, purple finches, and redpolls

Trees That Attract Wildlife

Certain trees hang onto their fruit all year which attracts birds and other wildlife. Trees great for attracting winter wildlife include crab apples, Washington hawthorn, and American holly. Not only do these trees help birds get something to eat, but they also add a bit of color to your yard.

Other trees that can attract birds in the winter are blue spruce, pine, cedar, and hemlock. These trees hold onto their needles all year and provide shelter and protection from the elements.

Provide A Place To Drink and Bathe

Birds heading south will be tired and looking for a place to rest. Setting out food and water is a sure way to entice them to land. This can be in the form of a simple birdbath or a pond. Just make sure that the water is changed weekly or you have an agitator to keep the water in motion.

Provide a Place to Sleep

Birds will naturally roost in trees and shrubs when they are not nesting. This means they are constantly exposed to the elements. To make their lives a little easier you can put up roosting boxes. Roosting boxes are like hostels for birds. They look like birdhouses but inside there are perches for several birds to roost together. This way they are protected from wind, rain, and they can keep each other warm.

Call The Professionals At North Georgia Lawn

Now that it’s winter it’s time to start thinking about next year’s lawn care goals. If you have had enough of lawn care and want someone else to do the work for you, then call the pros at North Georgia Lawn. We offer lawn care and lawn management programs that are guaranteed to improve the look and health of your yard.

When you are ready to take back your outdoor area call us at (678) 508-0050 or request a quote on our site. Want to keep up with us on social media? Find us on our Facebook page and our Twitter.