Summer Feeding

Warm Weather Feeding

Winter is the prime time for feeding backyard birds because much of their natural food sources, such as insects and fruit are unavailable. But there are many reasons for continuing to feed during the warmer weather months. Food shortages can occur at any time of year due to harsh weather conditions, drought, excessive land development, etc. Also during the summer months birds require high protein foods, especially during the molting season. And parent birds are stressed right now because not only must they feed themselves, they now have offspring to care for.

Should you feed birds in the summer? The answer is yes. Don't they get enough seeds, fruit and insects on their own? Yes, they do, but only in terms of basic survival. Offer fruit, suet, seed and other warm weather foods to attract a wider variety of birds to your yard all summer long.

Watching the activities of bird families can be a real treat for you and your family. Enjoy the sight of a young bird coming to feed with his parents, adult cardinals and bluejays introducing their young to your feeder, a baby bird learning to get his fair share of food, and of course, the occasional family "arguments."

Summer Feeding Tips

Suet attracts a wide variety of birds all year long and is the perfect food for nestlings. Be sure to use a no-melt blend during warmer months.
Birds enjoy dried fruit like currants and raisins. Thoroughly soak and soften to make them palatable to small chicks.
Fresh fruit and insects are always a hit with birds.
Black oil sunflower seed is the number one choice all year
Incorporate a variety of plantings to your landscape, especially species native to your area. Include plants that bear seeds and berries or provide a source of sweet nectar for hummers and butterflies.
Forget-me-nots, evening primrose sunflowers and cornflowers provide seeds or fruit.
Mockingbirds , thrashers and cardinals are drawn to citrus fruits, bananas and apples.
Foods containing insects and sunflower hearts are good choices for fledglings and their parents.
Many flowering plants product large quantities of seed each year. This is a very important food source for many finches, sparrows, and other songbirds.
At the end of the blooming season, don't cut the flower heads off. Allow them to dry and hang in place.
Plant larger trees on the border of your property to provide a safe place for visiting birds. These plants will provide an escape from predators and a summer nesting site. They may also provide food in the form of sap, berries and seeds.

Myth Busters

Summer feeding does not discourage a bird's natural instinct to forage for food in the wild.

Feeding hummingbirds will not make them sugar junkies or impair their migratory instincts

What many of us call Thistle is really Nyjer seed.

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Posted at Thursday, June 12, 2008 02:06 PM
In Attracting Birds Category | Permalink