Gardening Sweet Spots
By Donna Hessel
The Feeding Controversy
Filling bird feeder stations has been an American tradition for more than a century. But recent studies have brought to light three reasons why we need to take a closer look at this practice.
The first reason is disease. Birds coming into close contact on feeders make it easy for them to spread bacteria like salmonella and E. coli.
The second is predation. Inviting birds to the same place on a predictable schedule makes them more vulnerable to predators like cats and hawks.
The third reason is collision. Windows near feeder stations invite collisions. Having a dependable source of meals can also alter traditional behavior. Birds that would normally migrate stick around longer, so sick birds that wouldn’t survive migration become a source of exposure to well birds of whatever pathogen is infecting them.
So…What’s the Conclusion?
Daniel Becker, a Ph.D candidate at the University of Georgia Odum School of Ecology, and originator of the studies that documented the above reasons for not feeding the birds in winter, says, “Absolutely keep feeding the birds.”
But Also…
- Completely scrub out feeders with a 10 percent non-chlorinated bleach (such as Seventh Generation brand) solution every couple of weeks and definitely between seasons.
- Clean up spillage regularly around the feeder, or move feeders around to reduce spillage build-up.
- Research the favorite foods of the birds you want to attract to your feeders, the style of feeders they like and where to hang them.
- Buy specific seeds for specific feeders, which will decrease interaction between species and reduce waste.
Tips on Choosing and Placing Feeders
Choose feeders with no sharp edges or points, with drainage holes and a dome to keep seed dry. Perches should be far enough away from the food to keep birds from soiling the food. Plastic, steel or glass feeders are the easiest to clean. Setting up more than one feeder with ample space between them will prevent birds from crowding. Small feeders empty quickly, reducing the time for seed to spoil.
Most birds will try to get to the seed at any level, but they do have preferences. Mourning doves, sparrows, towhees and juncos are ground level feeders. Table level feeders attract cardinals, finches and jays. Titmice, goldfinches and chickadees like hanging feeders and woodpeckers, nuthatches and wrens prefer tree trunks.
A source of clean water is also important. Electric, battery-powered or solar-powered warmers are available for bird baths or shallow bowls.
Choose the Right Seed for the Right Birds
- Sunflower Seed – The black oil type is more popular than the black striped due to a softer shell. Sunflower kernels are most popular, especially with birds that cannot manage the shells. Squirrels also love them, so consider a squirrel-proof feeder or set up a separate area away from the bird feeders just for the squirrels.
- Nyjer Seed (aka Finch Seed or Thistle Seed) – This small, rod-shaped black seed in the sunflower family is popular with finches. Specialized, tube style feeders have small holes. Doves also like these seeds scattered on a platform feeder or deck.
- Millet – White proso millet is a small, round, yellowish grass seed that is favored by many ground feeding birds. Put it out on a platform feeder or scatter it on the ground in quantities that will be eaten in a day to prevent it from rotting.
- Safflower – Safflower’s hard shell makes it difficult for some birds to get to the seed, but many ground feeding birds such as cardinals and sparrows favor it. Squirrels don’t like its bitter taste.
- Mixed Seed – Don’t try to economize by buying a bag of mixed seed. Bags of mixed seed contain a large percentage of fillers that birds will toss on the ground to get at their preferred seeds. This results in a lot of waste as well as a build-up of rotting seed under the feeder.
- Suet Feeders – A favorite of every bird that can perch on a feeder and a great source of high-calorie fat, usually mixed with seeds or fruit. Suet cages are designed to fit the processed packages and allow birds to easily pick out pieces. Ground feeders will quickly scarf up the bits that drop to the ground.
- Fruit – Many birds will eat fruit. Halved apples or oranges can be stuck on branches or served in feeders that have spikes to hold the fruit. Some feeders also have small trays to hold jam or jelly that orioles especially like.
Make a Special Bird Treat
(The recipe for this birdseed wreath is shared from an online newsletter, “The Root of It,” produced by the Summit County Master Gardeners. E Barth Elias is the author and photographer.)
A bird feeder wreath makes a great addition to a fence, shrub or tree! This recipe creates enough mix for approximately three 7” wreaths.
Ingredients & Supplies:
- Cooking oil spray
- 8 cups bird seed
- 1-½ cups flour
- 6 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 2-¼ oz. packets unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup water
- A handful of small holly (or other small, evergreen) leaves
- ¼+ cup dried cranberries or other colorful fruit or nuts
- Length of wide ribbon
- Optional: ½ cup peanut butter, dried fruits, nuts
- Big bowl
- Round, tubular Jello or cake molds
- Large Spoon
- Scissors
How to Create the Wreath:
- Spray the inside of the mold with cooking oil spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the bird seed, flour, and corn syrup.
- Combine the gelatin and cold water in a glass measuring cup or bowl and let sit from 3 to 5 minutes, until the granules have absorbed the water. Heat this mixture just until it becomes liquid. (If using a microwave heat in 10 second intervals.) Add to the bird seed mixture and mix well.
- Place holly leaves and cranberries or nuts in the bottom of the mold in a pleasing manner.
- Spoon bird seed mixture into the bottom of the mold around the holly and cranberries and press firmly. Add additional bird seed mixture and pack down with your hands until the bird seed mixture is about 2” high.
- Set in a cool, dry place for 24 to 48 hours to dry.
- Remove the wreath from the mold by running a knife around the edges and turning upside down.
- Let the wreath dry in a warm location for a week or more. The longer it dries, the lighter and stronger the wreath will be.
- Place the ribbon through the center of the wreath, tie to make the two ribbon ties parallel with the wreath, and tie on top, creating a hanging loop.
Note: A 7” mold is a nice size, producing a wreath that is not too heavy for branches. The wreaths can be thicker than 2”, especially if being hung on a fence, but we found that the 2” depth created a relatively light-weight wreath. In making our wreaths we used a tubular Jello mold, a round Jello mold with a glass in the center (to create the hole) and a tubular cake pan – be creative!
Technically, according to scientists, we don’t need to feed the birds because they can find seeds and berries from shrubs, trees and dried foliage… at least until late winter/early spring. But who can deny the pleasure of relaxing with a warm beverage and watching a variety of birds flock to your feeders to enjoy the bounty you’ve provided? Quoting Kathi Hutton, “I don’t feed the birds because they need me; I feed the birds because I need them.”
Article Sources:
humanesociety.org/resources/feeding-birds-your-backyard
massaudubon.org/nature-wildlife/birds/bird-feeding
audubon.org/news/to-feed-or-not-feed
Photos:
bluejays-pexels-gael-dupontlangevin-14564234
birds on feeder-pexels-photo-8064562
finch feeder-pexels-photo-7858540
watching-pexels-artem-mizyuk-190976
Pinterest- “A Cultivated Nest” (alternate for Birdseed Wreath recipe)
