It’s winter and pickings are slim. Tune in to this free-for-all at the feeder where wily creatures of land and air compete for seeds and personal space.

Thanks for eavesdropping at the feeder with me!

-Lisa B

Interesting:

You’re not alone if you’ve wondered whether providing food for birds in the winter is helpful or detrimental. In fact, wintertime is the best time of year to aid your feathered friends. According to the National Wildlife Federation, “A large-scale winter storm, with deep snow or ice cover, cuts off many birds from their natural food supplies and can actually cause them to starve by the thousands and even millions. Backyard bird feeding can make a real contribution to their survival and even thriving during the winter months.”

Are you interested in attracting birds to your backyard? Read tips from Audubon on selecting the right feeder – tube, hopper, suet, thistle or ground feeder. For instance, regarding the thistle feeder, “If you hang just one feeder, this should be it. Choose a model with metal ports around the seed dispensers to deter squirrels. Hang it at least 5 feet off the ground, and 3 feet (or 30-plus feet) from a window to avoid bird collisions.”