February Goes to the Birds
If you think winter is tough, imagine being a bird. Our feathered friends up north – where food is buried under snow and winter days loom long – have it especially tough. That’s the reason for National Bird-Feeding Month.
In addition to helping birds with easy access to food and water, it’s neat to watch them cluster around a feeder in your yard. The National Bird-Feeding Society lists these as the top 10 backyard birds for those of us east of the Rocky Mountains: Top Ten Backyard Birds East of the Rocky Mountains: American Goldfinch, Chickadee (Black-capped/Carolina), Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, House Finch, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Tufted Titmouse, and White-breasted Nuthatch.
Have you spotted any of these in your backyard lately? If not, try putting out a feeder and get ready for a show. Here are a few best practices for backyard bird feeding:
– Start with something simple like black-oil sunflower seeds in a tubular feeder.
– Don’t forget to provide a habitat, such as nest boxes to encourage year-round use. Also place bird feeders near large trees and shrubs.
– Move beyond your own yard. Take your binoculars and head to a local park to see which birds are visiting there.
– Check out some more bird feeding tips from the Audubon.
If you’d like to make your own bird feeder, join us for one of two classes:
– Building Bird Feeders for Kids: 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Etiwan Park on Daniel Island.
– Valentines for the Birds: 3:30-4:30 on Monday, Feb. 13 at Allan Park.