'CORLISS CLIPS'/January 2012/Page 3

(black oil sunflower seed)

Corliss Clips
January 2012...... Page 3

(thistle seed)

For the birds: Are your reasons altruistic or have you ulterior motives, when it comes to feeding the birds? In other words, are you offering wild bird food simply to help those backyard birds survive the winter? Or, are you tempting songbirds with well-stocked feeders just to view them from the comfort of your warm home? It probably doesn’t matter, and most of us are feeding birds for both reasons - either way, the birds win! Preparing the feast: Start with plenty of suet. Birds need the warmth and insulation against the wet and cold, that fat provides. Offer commercial suet cakes, raw suet or homemade recipes.

(striped sunflower seed)

What seed should we offer? Black oil sunflower, striped sunflower, safflower seed and thistle. Basic blends include such staples as cracked corn, black oil sunflower, striped sunflower, and golden millet. Premium blends usually contain the aforementioned basics plus varying amounts of peanuts, white millet, safflower and thistle seed.

(safflower seed)

“You get what you pay for” is quite true when it comes to wild birdseed. “Cheap” mixes usually include red millet and milo, picked over and thrown out by songbirds. The clientele for these “cheap eats” usually consists of pigeons and the least desirable members of the Rodentia family.

(premium seed blend)

Who likes what? If you want one type of seed that will please everyone, choose black oil sunflower. All the birds approve of this one and its high oil content helps insulate birds against the cold. Striped sunflower is equally popular, is higher in fiber than the oil type, but much lower in essential oil... split 50/50 with the black oil sunflower, or offer it in one of the many commercial seed blends. Safflower is a medium, hard-shelled white seed and is relished by cardinals, blue jays, mourning doves, towhees, woodpeckers, grosbeaks, chickadees and nuthatches.

(a basic seed blend)

The small, black thistle seed is enjoyed by all finches, redpolls and pine siskins. Cracked corn appears in most of the mixes, since most birds eat at least just a little, mainly as a digestive aid. To attract the widest variety of birds, choose one of the better quality blends, sure to please the most finicky of backyard birds.

What feeders are best? For ground-feeding birds, like cardinals, white-throated sparrows and mourning doves, choose a platform feeder - raised up, off the ground, on a low pole. With a wooden frame and screen bottom, seed stays relatively dry and birds are safer from predators. Try just offering safflower or a safflower/thistle blend, neither of which is attractive to squirrels.

(thistle tube/finch's favorite)

Wooden or metal feeders, with a large reservoir, are equipped with large perches or landing areas, suitable for larger birds like cardinals. You may want to select a model with weighted perches, adjustable to preclude squirrel feeding.

(sunflower tube/for all small birds)

Small, clinging birds do well with the tube feeders, some of which sport weighted perches or heavy wire mesh that keep the squirrels at bay.  Look to the "Squirrel Buster" line of feeders to foil squirrels, as well as "Heritage Farms" hopper-style feeders with adjustable, weighted perches.  You'll also find that "Audubon" feeders with various spinning mechanisms or collapsible perches help deter those little furry, gray architects.  We have hanging and pole-mounted baffles and even wire cages to protect against squirrel damage, while allowing small birds complete access.

(birdbath with heater=open water all winter)

Keep them busy! Attach dried ears of corn to one of those “whirlygig” squirrel feeders. It may be frustrating for them, but it sure is entertaining for us. Besides, it keeps squirrels occupied and away from feeders, at least for part of the day. Water! So important to your backyard birds’ survival. A thermostatically controlled birdbath heater or heated birdbath will ensure an open source of water all winter long. Just clean and refill as needed.

(Ilex verticillata 'Jolly Red'/Winterberry)

Winterberry: Did you remember to plant winter fruits for the birds? If not, add some next spring! It will brighten up that winter landscape and provide your birds with a valuable food source. (continued on Page 4)

©DJL/CBI 2012