Discover Smith Mountain Lake
SPRING 2016
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BY KATE HOFSTETTER
Along with trees and bushes, the best way to lure birds into
your yard is food. The ideal time for backyard birdwatchers
to establish a feeding station is in early spring, when birds are
hungriest and seeds and berries are the scarcest. Plus, in early
spring birds travel in flocks, so you will see more activity at
the feeder. They break off into breeding pairs as the weather
warms. It is your choice as to whether you continue feeding
through the summer months. Many bird watchers close their
feeding stations until late fall.
Put the food supply in an area protected by bushes or trees,
so the little birds won’t be easy pickings for hawks and other
predators. Especially when trees are bare of leaves, the little
song birds need the protection of dense branches or shrubbery.
Besides seeds, birds love suet. It is available at most places
that sell wild bird feed, along with metal cages so it can be
suspended from a small tree limb, making it harder for the big
birds to devour. If you have a large crow population, you may
want to put suet out only sporadically, as a determined crow
can tear through a cake of suet in one afternoon. You may have
to out-smart them.
Buy a sturdy feeder that is built to withstand squirrels, and if
you don’t already have a birdbath, you will want to add one.
Actually, a birdbath will attract many birds that don’t go to
feeders, such as bluebirds. In fact, if you aren’t inclined to feed
birds during the summer months but do want them in your
garden, add a birdbath with just enough water so that the little
songbirds can bathe without drowning. You will need to clean
it regularly, so make sure that it is convenient to a hose. Birds
love a shallow water supply, and will readily use a birdbath
once they’ve found it.
You’ll also want small binoculars that can easily be held in one
Birds in your garden are as important for beautifying it as planting
flowers. Not only do birds provide vivid colors, their songs and chatter
awaken the senses, and their antics are a delight to watch.
