EASY WINTER BIRD FEEDING: GLEANING
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Cardinals are attracted to gray striped and black-oil sunflower seeds |
Many people would like to help feed birds
during the winter but for various reasons do not want to get involved with
tending bird feeders. When the ground is
frozen or covered with snow there is a simple technique you will appreciate and
birds will love. Simply sprinkle seed on the ground.
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| White Crowned Sparrows prefer millet, black-oil sunflower seeds & peanut hearts |
Gleaning is a type of foraging during
which a bird will deliberately and methodically pick over an area to collect
food; typically insects or seeds. Many
species that overwinter in our area use this method of feeding for at least
part of their diet. Dark-eyed Juncos,
White-crowned sparrows, Mourning Doves and even Cardinals will frequent your
garden to glean seeds off the ground.
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| Mourning Doves love Millet and Black-oil sunflower seeds |
The best seed for this type of feeding
are black oil sunflower seeds or finch mix, without
corn. The popular wild bird mixes
contain a lot of corn which attracts many larger aggressive birds such as
Starlings and Grackles which will chase your smaller, and more colorful birds
away.
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| Dark-eyed and Slate-colored Junco's like many types of seeds and products like pie crust. |
Keep it as simple as possible. Scatter a
cup or two of seed in the same area and birds will come back when they need to.
I don't sprinkle too much at once because I don't want unnecessary and
expensive waste. That will also help avoid left overs at night which will attract mice.
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| Give your birds an escape route from hawks and other predators |
If you have an easily assessable area with a view from a
window, that is perfect. Even if you are a devoted back yard bird watcher, tossing
some seed on the ground will give your feathered friends more of a choice of areas
in which to feed.
Enjoy your garden all year all.
James
