We have effectively eliminated almost 3 billion birds in North America in 50 years.  As a bird watcher I have noticed less traffic at my feeders and less birds overall in the woods when hiking trails.  I find it is sometimes eerily silent when there should be abundant singing in the warmer months. 

At my home we love birds and do our best to give them the best possible chance to survive the winter with the greatest ease. We have 8 feeders, 4 suet feeders, a brush pile, and 2 heated bird baths. Even though they may survive a harsh winter without us— I’m not sure we would survive the winter doldrums without them, especially this year!   If you enjoy bluebirds, you can hang a feeder with dried mealworms.  We currently have 6 bluebirds everyday at that feeder.  

Tips to Help Birds Weather the Winter Cold

• Create a brush pile or pile of sticks and branches to provide extra cover from harsh weather and predators. Disposing of your Christmas tree? Prop it up near your feeders to create wind screen and provide cover.
• Provide high fat foods such as peanut butter and beef suet. High fat foods provide much-needed energy to survive the cold days and nights. Beef suet is available at some grocery stores.  Ask the butcher if you can't find it.  You can get a wire suet holder at a pet store or online or you can use an onion bag or similar product.  You can feed peanut butter by using a hanging log.  Drill one-inch holes in a foot-long section of a small log. Insert a screw eye into one end of the log. Smear peanut butter into the holes and suspend the feeder from the screw eye.

If you prefer to offer your friends a vegetarian suet, here is a simple recipe to make your own suet and provide a lipid-rich treat that can bring in woodpeckers, wrens, nuthatches, chickadees and titmice.

Materials:

• 1 1/2 cups shortening (look for palm oil free options)

• 3/4 cups nut butter (any kind)

• 3 1/2 cups wild bird seed

• 1 cup quick oats

• 1/2 cup corn meal

• Ice cube tray

Steps:

1. Mix the dry ingredients of bird seed, oats, and corn meal together and set aside.

2. Combine the shortening and nut butter in a separate bowl and melt. Stir until completely combined.

3. Pour the melted mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.

4. Spoon mixture into the ice cube tray.

5. Freeze for one to two hours and place in your suet feeder!

Note: Not recommended for outdoor temperatures above 50 degrees .

Birds need water to drink in the cold weather as we do. We frequently have a bunch of birds sitting on the rim of our heated bath drinking and socializing. The surface is warmer so it is a bit of a respite from the harsh temperatures.

You can purchase a heated bird bath. I think we paid about $80 for ours, but we purchased it at a specialty bird store, so it probably can be had for less online.  Personally, I have not ever witnessed a bird bathing in our heated bird bath but it can be dangerous if they do if the ice freezes on their wings.  If this is a concern of yours you can place some rocks in the bath to eliminate the space for bathing but leaving enough water for drinking.

Sprinkle some feed on the ground in covered areas such as under your deck, on the edge of hedges and bushes and the wood line for the birds that prefer eating from the ground (Juncos)  and won’t frequent your feeder.

Put some fresh wood shavings (not sawdust, it retains too much moisture) or dry grasses in your bird boxes for the winter to encourage roosting. Birds love a warm and cozy spot to winter just as we do.

Ready to help birds?   Feed them. Provide cover, shelter and water. Keep your cats indoors.  Give generously to the National Audubon Society or your local chapter, bird champions since 1896. Look out your window.  Look up into the trees. Listen. Enjoy.