So, which do you believe — The Farmer’s Almanac, the Weather Channel, or some good old-fashioned indications from nature — to predict what this coming winter weather will be?
Snow is beginning to accumulate from the Great Lakes effect, and snow showers have been intermittently falling lately. Some predictions indicate that we may be in for another harder-than-usual winter. As humans, we 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?
For the various birds that do not head south for the winter months, there is a pretty easy solution to help them make it through the snowy days ahead. Bird feeders of various designs can supply needed nutrition to these winter residents. If you are just getting started in winter bird feeding, the real question is what to feed.
Black-oil sunflower seed is one of the best selections to include in any seed mix since almost any bird visiting 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.
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 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. If you are not sure just what to include, contact a local feed store that can supply you with a variety of 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 for deer or turkeys as long as all of the hunting seasons are over.
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 start 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 feed can be fun and provide great viewing opportunities. It may also greatly benefit birds and animals when snow and ice limit their usual food sources.
