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Feeding Our Feathered Friends: Essential Winter Bird Feeding Tips in Northeastern NC

Birds are generally masters of self-sufficiency. Still, the cool winter temperatures in northeastern NC present a new challenge - scarcer food resources during these colder months. Have you ever wondered how to extend a helping hand to help your feathered friends survive the cold?

You might ask - why is winter such a problem for them?

Winter's grip means scarcity of natural food sources, especially insects. Shorter daylight hours also equal less time for birds to forage.

What Kinds of Birds Spend the Wintertime in Northeastern NC?

Northeastern North Carolina sees its fair share of wintertime birds. At my home in Bertie County, we primarily get visits from cardinals, doves, blue jays, nuthatches, and chickadees. We keep feeders out and full year-round, with a few tweaks to meet their dietary needs.

Choosing the Right Bird Feed

A mix of seeds is the best. Similarly to filling human dietary needs, birds need variety. A varied seed blend will help them get the needed nutrients to help them make it to spring.

• Black oil sunflower seeds are particularly popular, providing high energy content.
• Suet is excellent for its fat content, which is vital for keeping birds warm.
• Adding nuts and dried fruits can offer additional nutrients and variety.

Feeder Types and Placement

Different species prefer different feeders. They are less picky when food sources grow scarce.

Tray or platform feeders are acceptable to most birds, while tube feeders are great for small perching birds. Suet feeders attract woodpeckers and nuthatches.

Place feeders near natural shelters that will protect them from blustery winds. But they should still be in open spaces to prevent predators from preying on them.

Regular feeder cleaning will help in preventing disease.

Photo byJoshua J. CottenonUnsplash

The Importance of Water

Water sources also become harder to come by in the winter - especially if the temperatures stay below freezing for more than a few hours.

Offer your feathered friends a heated birdbath. If that's a hassle, replenish a shallow dish every day. Either will give your flock access to unfrozen water for drinking and preening.

Feeding birds during the coldest part of winter is a rewarding activity. You get to watch their antics and support their survival. Every small effort makes a big difference to these creatures during winter. Who knows? Maybe you'll grow so enamored of your new friends that you'll keep feeding them year-round. Happy birdwatching!

Randy Tayloe is a lawn care and gardening expert and the operator of Tayloe's Lawn Care Service, LLC, in Aulander, NC. You can connect with him on Facebook or LinkedIn for additional gardening and lawn care tips.