Winter Bird Watching: Tips for Attracting Birds to Your Backyard

There’s something magical about watching birds flit around the backyard during winter. The snowy backdrop and quiet winter atmosphere make it the perfect time to observe and attract a variety of bird species. At The Denman Homestead, we love setting up our backyard to welcome winter birds, giving us a front-row seat to their beauty and charm. Here’s how you can make your backyard a haven for birds this winter, with tips for setting up feeders, choosing the right seeds, and even creating natural habitats.

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Why Winter is a Great Time for Bird Watching

Winter brings a unique opportunity to see birds that might not be around during warmer months. With trees bare and landscapes quiet, spotting birds becomes easier, and with fewer natural food sources, birds are more likely to visit feeders and cozy areas you set up just for them. Winter bird watching is also a relaxing and enjoyable activity, especially with a hot drink in hand and a cozy spot to observe.

Here’s how to make your backyard a welcoming spot for winter birds.

1. Choose the Right Feeder

Different birds are attracted to different types of feeders, so consider adding a variety of options to attract a wider range of birds.

- Platform Feeders: These are flat, open feeders that work well for ground-feeding birds like doves, juncos, and sparrows. Place them on a raised platform or on the ground.

- Tube Feeders: Tube feeders are great for small perching birds like finches, chickadees, and nuthatches. They often come with multiple perches to accommodate more birds.

- Suet Feeders: Suet is a high-energy food that attracts woodpeckers, blue jays, and other winter birds that rely on fats to stay warm. Suet feeders are typically wire cages that hold suet cakes.

- Hopper Feeders: These are enclosed feeders that dispense seeds as birds peck at them, which keeps the seeds protected from rain and snow. They attract a wide range of birds, including cardinals, grosbeaks, and titmice.

The Denman Homestead tip: Place feeders near shrubs or trees, as birds feel safer when they have nearby cover to escape to if needed.

2. Offer a Variety of Seeds and Foods

Winter birds need high-energy foods to keep warm, so offer seeds and suet that provide extra calories.

- Black Oil Sunflower Seeds: A favorite for many birds, black oil sunflower seeds are high in fat and protein, making them ideal for winter.

- Safflower Seeds: Cardinals, chickadees, and finches enjoy safflower seeds, and they’re less attractive to squirrels, which can help keep feeders focused on birds.

- Nyjer (Thistle) Seed: Small finches, like goldfinches and pine siskins, love Nyjer seed, which works well in tube feeders with tiny ports.

- Peanuts: High in protein and fat, peanuts attract larger birds like woodpeckers, jays, and nuthatches. Use shelled, unsalted peanuts in a separate feeder.

- Suet Cakes: Suet is a great source of fat for birds in winter. Look for suet cakes with added seeds, nuts, or fruit for an extra energy boost.

The Denman Homestead tip: Avoid feeding bread, as it doesn’t offer much nutritional value and can be harmful to birds.

3. Provide Fresh Water

In winter, natural water sources may freeze, making it difficult for birds to find water. Setting up a bird bath with fresh, unfrozen water can make a big difference.

- Use a Heated Bird Bath: A heated bird bath prevents water from freezing and provides a reliable water source for birds. Heated bird baths are safe and available at most garden or bird supply stores.

- Change Water Regularly: Even if you don’t use a heated bath, try to refresh the water once a day to ensure it doesn’t freeze completely.

The Denman Homestead tip: If you don’t have a heated bird bath, try placing a shallow bowl of warm water outside. Just remember to check and refill it as needed!

4. Create Natural Shelter and Roosting Spots

Providing shelter is essential for birds during winter, as they need protection from harsh weather and predators.

- Add Dense Shrubs and Bushes: Planting dense shrubs or evergreen trees creates a natural roosting area for birds. These types of plants provide cover and also act as windbreaks.

- Leave Brush Piles: If you have extra branches or brush, pile them up in a corner of your yard to create a temporary shelter. Birds will appreciate the extra coverage and safety.

- Add Roosting Boxes: Roosting boxes are similar to birdhouses but without ventilation holes, helping birds stay warm. You can find them online or build one yourself.

The Denman Homestead tip: Even something as simple as an unused shed or a lean-to can offer birds some added shelter on cold or windy days.

5. Avoid Using Pesticides

Pesticides can harm birds by reducing their natural food sources and exposing them to toxins. Avoid using chemicals in your yard to keep the environment safe and encourage a healthy ecosystem where birds can find insects and other natural food sources.

Bird Species to Look Out for in Winter

Depending on your location, you may see a variety of winter birds visiting your backyard:

- Cardinals: These bright red birds add a pop of color against the snow. They love sunflower and safflower seeds and are common visitors at hopper and platform feeders.

- Chickadees: These small, curious birds are frequent visitors and enjoy sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet.

- Woodpeckers: Downy and red-bellied woodpeckers are common in winter. Suet and peanut feeders are favorites for these birds.

- Juncos: Often called “snowbirds,” juncos are small, dark-colored birds that love ground feeding. Spread seeds on a platform feeder or on the ground to attract them.

- Goldfinches: Though they lose their bright yellow color in winter, goldfinches will still visit feeders stocked with Nyjer seed.

- Blue Jays: Known for their vibrant blue feathers and loud calls, blue jays love peanuts and sunflower seeds.

Watching birds during winter brings life and color to the colder months, and it’s a rewarding way to support wildlife. Setting up a bird-friendly backyard with food, water, and shelter is a simple yet impactful way to help our feathered friends through the season. Plus, bird watching is a relaxing and enjoyable activity that brings nature right to your doorstep.

So, grab a warm drink, find a cozy spot by the window, and enjoy the peacefulness of winter bird watching at The Denman Homestead. You may just find that it becomes one of your favorite winter pastimes.

Happy bird watching from all of us at The Denman Homestead!