The case for year round bird feeding

During this global pandemic with the COVID-19 virus, the self-isolating and stay-at-home mandates have the nation scrambling for new hobbies and activities in the comfort of their own yards. Bird watching and feeding are not only entertaining but also highly beneficial to the bird species in your region.

Traditional wisdom suggests that birds should only be fed during the winter months, as the plants and native foods are more scarce. However, with appropriate choices, your bird feeder can supplement the naturally occurring food sources.

One of the benefits of feeding during the spring and summer months is the opportunity to watch the birds’ plumage change with the seasons. For example, bright yellow male goldfinches are only seen when the weather is warm.
Hummingbirds are another species that are present in the summer. The migratory patterns of these little birds bring them to Ohio beginning in late March or early April. They have geographical memories for reliable sources of food, so once you begin feeding them, they will return year after year. For that reason, it is better to put the food out earlier rather than later in the season. This week is an ideal time in Ohio. Hummingbirds are important pollinators, whose activity should be encouraged.

Another benefit of feeding birds, specifically, woodpeckers, is to prevent damage to your home. Woodpeckers will peck on your home’s siding in the search for insects. However, if there is suet or berries available for them, it will deter them from pecking your home.

Besides the practical reasons for feeding the birds, birding is the start of a lifelong hobby and activity that requires few tools. A few important tips to get started:

1. Keep your bird feeders clean. They should be washed several times during the season with hot water and a 1:10 bleach solution to keep bacteria and disease from growing in the feeder.

2. Place your feeders near a bush or tree, which will give them a safe place to retreat from predators (such as hawks).

3. Do not feed your birds bread, as it offers little nutritional value. Another don’t is chocolate, as it is toxic for them. Table scraps are also a no-no and are likely to attract undesirable rodents.

Find a reliable source of birdseed and get ready for a bird buffet of feathered friends visiting your yard. Local Soil & Water Conservation Districts are a great point of contact to the agriculture and natural resource community.