Active Adults Enjoy Backyard Birds

February may start out with a focus on groundhogs, but it is officially a month “for the birds.”

Since 1994, February has been designated “National Bird-Feeding Month,” after bird enthusiast John Porter read a resolution into the Congressional Record. With changing habitats, natural food sources run a little low in February, so filling the feeders gives a nutritional boost to birds who over-winter in Georgia, as well as those who tend to migrate early.

Black-oil sunflower seeds are the most widely consumed feeder stock, attracting a variety of birds from titmice and nuthatches to cardinals and chickadees.

Red-bellied woodpeckers also make a frequent appearance at backyard bird feeders; their preference tends toward peanuts, tree nuts, and suet. (If you enjoy watching these magnificent birds, consider a specially designed feeder that holds suet cakes.)

Carolina chickadees prefer “tube feeders” filled with a variety of seeds, but these tough little birds also hold their own against larger visitors in flat feeders.

While beautiful, the Blue Jay often draws ire from backyard bird enthusiasts, as they hoard seeds, requiring frequent refilling of feeders. On that note, squirrels also tend to disrupt the bird parade at feeders. (Although there are many products available to purchase to deter squirrels, good old-fashioned aluminum pie pans tend to be quite effective in most situations!)

And don’t worry about “spoiling” the birds. Charles Seabrook, environmental writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, says that feeders do not disrupt the natural foraging habits of wild birds. They’ll happily share a snack at your feeder, then flit to a tree to feast on whatever insects are available.

If birdwatching is a source of entertainment for you, remember that February 28 is Floral Design Day. While this might be best associated with cut flowers, it’s a great day to pore over the seed catalogs or local plant nurseries and plan your native-plant garden, which provides a natural source of food for your feathered friends.

At Windsong, gardening, grilling, bird-watching, and outdoor entertaining is easy and enjoyable, with private courtyards, patios, and outdoor living spaces that invite human and avian entertainment alike!

Welcome to Windsong, Where Life’s A Breeze!