Tips on Feeding Birds in Early Spring

Author: Mary Fesio
It may not seem like spring with the word "snow" still popping up in weather forecasts.  But the calendar says "yes, it is really here".  Not only the calendar, but birds are, also, proclaiming that spring has arrived.  Early in the morning, their chirping is declaring that spring is upon us and our wild feathered friends are going to be looking to us for aid once more.  The chickadees and cardinals are belting out their mating calls for potential partners to hear and it's feeling more and more like spring.
The birds have had a rough time with the winter's bad weather.  Food sources such as seeds and berries are bent over from snow pilings and freezing weather has frozen over many water supplies.  Hopefully, there were many kind people feeding the birds during the winter and providing water that was free of ice.  But the poor birds are going to be under additional stress looking for their own territories and mates.  This will require even more energy.  Following is a list that one should follow in order to insure healthy birds and broods in the spring:

• Suet is a very good staple to offer the birds in early spring.  Sue is rendered beef fat and it is a very important staple during cold months.  Birds are very fond of it and it gives them plenty of calories in a concentrated form.
• Seed mixes that contain more than half black oil sunflower seeds should be chosen.  The fat content per seed is greatest in these seeds and gives the birds the greatest amount of calories to get them through this stressful time of year.
• Another form of high fat and high protein foods is nuts such as peanuts, pecans, almonds, walnuts and other types of tree nuts.  Fruits are, also, enjoyed by birds.  Bananas, apples, blueberries, chunks of apples and dried cranberries offer birds a wonderful and healthy treat.
• Fresh water cannot be overlooked.  In the winter, birds may be forced to eat snow or drink water from dripping icicles.  They use a great deal of energy warming snow or cold water to body temperature—energy that can be used for other needs such as foraging for food and keeping warm.  Heated water from a heated bird bath helps birds conserve energy and when the weather is warm enough, the birds may even delight in a warm winter bath.  Clean feathers provide better insulation from the winter cold.
• Leaving the bird houses up through the winter is a considerate move because birds that do not migrate will be able to use these homes as shelter during cold, wintry nights.  Stuffing the ventilation holes with rags or hay is, also, a good idea.  If this was not done this winter, it is something to keep in mind for the next.
• Another consideration to be given the wintering aviaries is a winter roost.  They are built with entry holes at the bottom.  This allows the warmer air in the box to rise to the top where the birds perch.  This is something that should be considered during the summer months.  Having several winter roosts in the yard would be a blessing for those that stay around in the winter. 
• Another excellent haven for wintering birds is a brush pile.  This does not have to be anything more than a pile of dead branches, weeds and sticks piled up in one corner of the yard  It gets covered up with snow forming air spaces providing a draft-free place for birds to seek shelter.

The main points to be taken are to have plenty of nutritious food in the feeders and fresh water flowing with nice, warm habitats.  Your bird friends will be most grateful to you and will enchant you with their songs and antics come the warmer days of spring.

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