Garden Column for the Salisbury Post

Darrell Blackwelder

December 8, 2004

     Bird watching has become an important part of my mother’s daily life as she sits for hours watching a menagerie of her winged friends. Enjoyed by people of all ages, this hobby seems to become more pronounced as the leaves fall and cold weather arrives. Providing ample feed and water is the key for successful bird watching.

     A consistent source of water is very important especially with winter around the corner. Special bird bath heaters keep water flowing during freezing temperatures providing birds with a ready source of water. These heaters don't actually heat the water, but keep the temperature just high enough to prevent freezing. A few days of water often is the difference between life and death for small or weak birds.

       Bird feeders, food and other bird related products are stock items for most garden centers and retail outlets, especially during the holiday season. Correct bird food is an indispensable method of attracting our feathered friends.

     Sunflower, the most common of all bird seed is available as striped, black oil or sunflower hearts.  Larger birds such as cardinals enjoy the striped sunflower seed, while chickadees, finches and other small birds prefer black oil sunflower seed.  Sunflower hearts are the favorite of most all birds, especially with birds trying to feed their young. 

     Cracked corn attracts larger birds as doves and blue jays. Larger, more aggressive birds may be distracted by placing cracked corn away from smaller feeders.

     Millet is usually sold as filler for seed mixtures.

Smaller birds like sparrows, juncos and chickadees like this seed, as well as the larger dove.

     Thistle is a favorite food of yellow finches; however the cost is fairly high because it is imported from Africa. Many bird watchers choose to combine thistle, black oil sunflower and millet as the ultimate bird food.

     Suet is a food source containing a mixture of animal fat and a blend of different types of grain and nuts.  The fat content is a source of energy, which is especially important for winter survival.  Chickadees, nuthatches and woodpeckers enjoy suet cakes. Suet cakes are a winter food and should be removed in the spring.  Warm spring temperatures because the fats in the suet cakes to become rancid making birds sick.

     Stale breadcrumbs, crushed popcorn, crackers or other grain snacks may be used as a supplemental bird food.  Some have also used dog food as a bird food supplement. The oil content in dog food is attractive to some bird species. Others have used fish food however; cost becomes a factor when using these types of foods.