Last winter certainly was a “doozy!” While we previously had a string of relatively mild winters, we can easily recall getting slammed last season with up to 30 plus inches of snow that crippled travel and many outdoor activities for days.

Some predictions indicate that we may be in for another harder than usual winter. OK, we humans can stay indoors, start a fire in the fireplace, turn the thermostat up a bit and make a mug of hot chocolate milk or a bowl of belly-warming soup for lunch! But, what about all of Mother Nature’s creatures that may be struggling with whatever she throws at them this winter?

There is a pretty easy solution for the various birds that do not head south for the winter months to help them make it through the snowy days ahead. Bird feeders of various designs can supply needed nutrition to these winter residents.

The real question, if you are just getting started in winter bird feeding, is just what to feed.

Black-oil sunflower seed is one of the best selections to include in any seed mix since almost any bird that will visit a bird feeder will eat these seeds. The outer shell is much thinner than other sunflower seeds, and the seed itself tends to be larger; thus, the birds get more food value per seed with the black-oil sunflower seeds. Those birds that cannot crack the hull will land below the feeder and scour the area for bits and pieces of the seed that other birds drop.

Thistle seed can be a little pricey, but it is a favorite of all of the small finches, including goldfinches, house finches, and purple finches. These seeds are generally presented in a tube feeder with small thistle-seed-sized holes.

Offering a mix of seeds is always a good idea since it will appeal to a wider variety of birds. But, be careful as some inexpensive seed mixes do contain “filler” seeds — junk seeds that many birds won’t eat. It might be better to concoct your own mix of seeds. Safflower seeds — white, thin-shelled conical seeds — are eaten by many different birds and are known to be a favorite of the northern cardinal. Cracked corn is always a good addition to your seed mix since it appeals to most birds visiting a feeder. Don’t forget to include the black-oil sunflower seeds. If you are not sure just what to include, contact a local feed store that can supply you with various products for winter feeding.

If pesky squirrels become a problem, you might solve the situation by offering them their own supply of corn. Merely drive spikes through a board and attach the board to the side of a nearby tree — then stick ears of corn on the spikes.

Hopefully, this will lure the squirrels away from the bird feeder.

Turkeys, deer, and bears spend a great deal of time feeding during the later months of fall, frequently on acorns when they are plentiful, in order to build up a much-needed layer of fat to aid in making it through the cold of winter, when food may be scarce. In the dead of winter, you might see deer or turkeys in picked-over corn fields pawing or scratching through the snow in search of any remaining kernels of corn. Shelled corn is a popular choice of feed to put out for deer or turkeys. Remember, it is legal to put out this feed as long as all of the hunting seasons are over for deer or turkeys.

Caution: CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) is a disease that is only beginning to show itself in Pennsylvania. It is spread from one deer to the next when they are in close proximity to one another.

Thus, if you are putting corn out, it would be better to scatter it over a large area rather than just place it in a single pile or two.

If you are considering a mineral mix for deer, it would be beneficial to begin the offering once the last of the deer hunting seasons are over. Providing a mixture of minerals now will begin to benefit the deer as they gain stronger bones and will provide better milk production for the does in the spring.

This long-term offering of the minerals is of great benefit throughout the year, but don’t forget — all minerals and residue must be taken up 30 days before any appropriate hunting season.

This winter offering of feed can be a fun activity and provide some great viewing opportunities. It may also benefit birds and animals when snow and ice limit their usual food sources.