COUNTRY GARDENING
The basics of winter bird feeding By Trisha Gedon Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
With four different categories of feed for birds: seeds, suet, fruit and sugar water, each can attract a unique variety of birds to any landscape. Photo by Todd Johnson.
here is a nip in the air, which may leave some Oklahomans wanting to curl up on the couch with a warm blanket and a mug of hot chocolate. Despite the cool weather, however, this time of year is perfect for bird watching from the comfort of home. By providing the right food and feeders, plenty of birds will soon take solace in backyards across the state, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist. “Gardening enthusiasts who enjoy the 50 — Oklahoma Country
beauty of the landscape can continue to do so throughout the winter months by watching the birds that call your landscape home,” Hillock said. “Bird watching is a fun and educational pastime that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The various species of birds are not only fun to watch, but they add color to the dreary days we experience during the winter.” During the summer months, birds often feast on a variety of things including berries, bugs and flower nectar, but nourishment can be hard to find in the
winter months. Placing feeders out will help these feathered creatures make it through the cold season and they will likely stick close by in the summer. Prior to placing birdfeeders out that have been stored during the warmer months, Hillock suggests giving them a good cleaning by washing them in soapy water and rinsing in a 10% bleach solution. Periodically cleaning the birdfeeders during the winter months is also essential as diseases can grow in wet and moldy seeds, as well as in bird