Helping the Wild Birds that Visit My Farm
One of the easiest and most beautiful ways to observe and appreciate wildlife is by feeding the wild birds. During this time of year, the bird feeders at my farm are filled with chirping hungry creatures.
I have a number of bird feeders at my farm, and all the birds love to come by and feast on the seed I provide. I also set out fresh water and cut holes in the burlap covers over the boxwood, so birds are able to take shelter during inclement weather. Helping the wild birds is important to sustain local wild bird populations, especially during the harsh winters and challenging migration periods.
Enjoy these photos.
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- I have long fed the wild birds that visit my farm. Feeders are set up where they are easy to see, convenient to fill, and where seed-hungry squirrels and bird-hungry cats cannot reach them.
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- All my wild bird seed is stored in galvanized metal cans and kept inside my generator room next to the carport.
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- This is a wild bird seed mix. This includes white millet, black oil sunflower seeds, striped sunflower seeds and cracked corn. The birds love this seed.
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- Nyjer is a great seed to offer birds, especially in winter because it contains more oil, and a higher calorie content, so birds can store fat to survive the season.
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- I have several feeders under my clematis pergola. This is a Martha Stewart Copper Bird Feeder from one of my previous collections – very durable and attracts many avian visitors through the day.
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- These feeders are the first to empty. Birds just love to eat from here and perch on the copper lipped tray and watch the activities around the farm.
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- This feeder has four feeding ports aside from the lipped tray to catch any fallen seeds.
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- When starting to feed birds, it may take time for new feeders to be discovered. Don’t be surprised if the feeding station doesn’t get birds right away. As long as feeders are clean and filled with fresh seed, the birds will find them.
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- In winter, we fill the feeders in the morning, and then check them again in the afternoon. Once refilled, it doesn’t take long before birds start arriving again.
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- Here’s a downy woodpecker on the granite upright of my pergola. This is the smallest type of woodpecker in North America.
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- During this time of year, I also help provide shelter for the visiting birds. I purposely create these holes in the seasonal burlap covers that protect my boxwood. They love to go in and out, especially when it is windy.
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- A long row of bird feeders are hung behind my carport. Currently, there are more than 10 here – in spring, there are a few less. It’s important to feed the birds consistently as they become accustomed to looking for food here at the same times every day.
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- Some of the birds perch patiently in nearby trees until they’re ready to feast.
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- When filling these high feeders, we use a pole with a hook on one end. Each feeder is carefully removed from its hanging location and refilled on the ground.
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- Here is a closer look at the pole with the handy hook at the top – it works very well and makes filling these feeders very easy.
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- Every feeder is filled to the top depending on the time of year, these feeders can quickly empty. Each of these tube feeders holds about three quart-sized containers of seed.
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- These tube feeders allow the seed to flow only when birds peck at it, which helps keep any spillage to a minimum.
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- Many birds prefer tube feeders – hollow cylinders with multiple feeding ports and perches. Tube feeders attract small perching birds such as finches, goldfinches, titmice, and chickadees.
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- The tufted titmouse is a small songbird from North America. It is rather tame, and active, with an echoing voice, and can often be found near bird feeders especially in winter.
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- The feeders are visible from my Winter House steps – it’s always so nice to see what birds come to eat. I have up to 125 different birds visiting the farm every day.
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- This is a black-capped chickadee. These birds are highly curious about everything, including humans. Its black cap and bib, white cheeks and gray back, wings and tail make it an easy bird to distinguish and identify.
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- When feeding birds, take note of which type of seed is eaten most often. And always discard any seed that has become wet, moldy or foul smelling.
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- Here’s another chickadee sitting on a branch nearby – safe and hopefully full. What birds do you see outside your home?
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