With winter in full force in much of the country, bird feeding takes on special importance. Quality feed is important now since the birds need extra protein to make it through the cold winter nights. Large capacity feeders are especially convenient now to feed large flocks of hungry birds. Big feeders also mean fewer trips to fill them each day.
Winter is also a good time to offer suet for insect eating birds.
Woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, and mockingbirds will become constant patrons of a well- stocked suet feeder. These feeders can be as simple as an old onion bag or as elaborate as a metal squirrel proof cage. This time of year you can often see species of birds in your backyard, which have migrated from the north. Pine siskins, redpoles, and evening grosbeaks are some of the northern finches, which may appear at your feeders now. Let winter be a time when you can sit back and enjoy watching wild life in your back yard.