Today is a very snowy day. While gazing out the kitchen window at our bird feeders, I discover that our little bird friends are scarfing down the seeds as quickly as possible.
Are you taking care of the birds in your garden this winter? There are several types of birds that over-winter here - sparrows, juncos, finches, Northern flickers, and downy and hairy woodpeckers to name a few. As the snow piles up outside, you can imagine how difficult it can be for them to find food.
While doing garden clean-up in the fall, I was careful to leave several seedheads from the Coneflowers (Echinacea) and Globe Thistles (Echinops) so the seed-eaters would have something to nibble on during the winter.
We put fresh water in the birdbath every day and hang feeders full of thistle seed and black oil sunflower seeds. We also hang wire baskets filled with suet cakes for the woodpeckers.
I've always thought it must be tough being a little bird during the winter. It must be a challenge to stay warm and find plenty of food.
