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With migratory birds returning after wintering down south, it’s a good time to bring out the bird feed and give our winged friends a nourishing snack to eat.
There are many benefits to attracting birds to your yard! Birds not only provide a form subtle form of entertainment, but they can also bring a sense of tranquility. Have you ever gone on a trail walk and lost yourself in the bird’s song? Feeding the birds can bring that calmness to your own yard.
There are some practical tips you can follow to attract the birds. Black oil sunflower seeds are a good starter seed as they bring in a wide variety of birds. Suet is also perfect for Western Canada as they attract birds such as woodpeckers.
Shelled peanuts are a luxury food for birds and will attract species such as blue jays and especially squirrels. Squirrels, however, will chase the birds away, but you can purchase feeders that are squirrel proof to keep them away.
Place feeders strategically around your yard near shrubs or trees for quick shelter. Try putting them at different heights to attract different species, but not too close to spots where cats can ambush them.
Also consider placing a bird bath in your yard. A bath allows the opportunity for birds to clean themselves and provides a source of drinking water, which is just as important as food.
If you do decide to start feeding birds, it is important to keep them away from windows to avoid collisions. Add decals or patterns to reduce reflections.
Finally, get yourself a bird book and start recording the type of birds that visit your home. There are also aids such as videos and even clocks to further educate yourself on the sound each bird makes.
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Photo Credit: ID 44070560 | American © Sergey Kichigin | Dreamstime.com
