that’s a myth. In fact, the opposite is true. Birds need even more nutrients to give them energy to make that arduous journey south.
So, I’ve assembled a list of things you should do to help your backyard birds brace for winter.
Clean your feeders
Just as you clean out your things for spring, you should do the same for fall. Hopefully you clean out your feeders at least every two weeks already, but use the coming of fall as motivation to really get in there and scrub your feeder.
Use food that provides the most calories
Whether your birds are gearing up for migration or getting ready for the cold weather of winter, providing food with high oil content will give them the energy and fat they need to survive. These foods include black oil sunflower seeds, suet, nyjer, nuts, nectar and more.
Squirrel-proof your feeders
Birds aren’t the only ones preparing for the winter. Squirrels are busy these next few months foraging and stocking up for the winter. An old favorite, of course, is the bird feeder. Make sure your food is well-guarded by using baffles or getting squirrel-proof feeders.
Forgo raking
As you know, not all birds only eat seeds. You can help out the insectivores by allowing leaves to pile up in a corner of your yard. This creates shelter and a prime place for insects to gather. Birds love this and you’ll get some unique birds you might have never had in your backyard.
