BIRDS IN YOUR BACKYARD THIS WINTER By Laura Boggess Shafer. Laura and her family manage a family farm in the Clendenin area. Keeping Appalachian values and traditions alive, she enjoys sharing her wisdom on gardening, canning, preserving, recipes and more with ERL readers!
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inter is one of the most rewarding seasons to welcome birds into your backyard—and sometimes, the best thing you can do is embrace a little “natural mess.” Brush piles made from fallen branches or trimmed limbs create excellent shelter for small birds, especially when placed near feeders. If you can, leave a small patch of leaves on the ground. Many insect-eating species will happily forage through them for hidden treats. Blue jays, chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches will even stash their food in these brush piles for later.
JAN 2026
Native plants are especially valuable this time of year. Leave up any shrubs or plants with berries, seeds, or nuts, as they serve as vital winter food sources. And before you haul your Christmas tree away, consider laying it on the ground near your feeders—its branches provide instant, natural shelter.
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