The Millstone Times

PET PAGES

Helping Birds in New Jersey During the Winter Season

1. Set Up a Bird Feeder Since normal sources of food like worms and various types of bugs are hard to come by in the cold weather, birds resort to incorporating more seeds, fruit, nuts, and berries into their diet. If you choose to hang a bird feeder with seeds in it, be sure to keep the seeds dry. This will help prevent any unwanted mold and fungus. You can also opt to have berry bushes in the yard. Experts always suggest peanut butter and sunflower seeds as a go-to food to keep in a bird feeder as it’ll help sustain birds for a longer period of time. Also, provide a supply of clean water for birds. With the frigid tempera- tures, typical sources of water are now icy or frozen to the touch. Keep Out Predators Common predators in regards to birds include cats, rodents, and raccoons, among other creatures. To better protect birds this winter season, hang any bird feeders or bird houses high from the ground, so they’re out of reach for low-lying animals. Also, consider adding wired fencing around these structures in addition using different repellent sprays. 2.

3. Have a Heated Bird Bath Bird baths, when maintained properly, are an incredible source of water and heat for birds to take advantage of. However, providing heat for birds, especially considering how cold New Jersey winters can get, is an overall priority. To do so, keep plants and brush in birdhouses to increase warmth. If possible, purchase larger birdhouses, too. Given that birds usually migrate in large groups, they also stay in large groups as well. They keep close together and in this group formation to stay warm. Assemble a Birdhouse Lastly, any shelter is a good shelter during the winter. While it is often advised to keep holes in the sides of a birdhouse for ventilation during the summer, try to keep the walls of the house as solid as possible to keep the cold winter air out. If keeping a birdhouse in the yard is not a possibility, another option is to use thick bushes and even Christmas trees. The more layers a plant has, the better it usually is at keeping birds warm and secure. Shelter, in conjunction with food, water, and heat, gives birds all they need to bear the long, cold winter months before they are able to roam freely once again come the spring. Sources Used: https://www.perkypet.com/articles/wild-bird-predator https://www.southernliving.com/holidays-occasions/winter/how-do-birds-survive-winter https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/bergenfield/lifestyle/provide-water-natural-foods-to-help-birds-endure-winter-in-bergen/696050/ https://raritanvalleyagway.com/blog/53992/how-birds-survive-winter-and-how-we-can-help 4.

40 The Millstone Times

March 2022