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	Winter Bird Feeding

Learn more about Winter Bird Feeding.

"When should I start to feed birds for the winter?" is a commonly-asked question here at the Audubon Society in New Hampshire. Although it is best to start is late September or early October, it is never too late because wintering birds are still trying to locate food sources for the coming months.

There are many ways to feed birds, and numerous types of feeders. To start, try a simple tray or hanging tube feeder. Later, you may wish to expand your feeder collection. The ground itself can be used as a feeding station for certain types of birds, such as Mourning Doves, but be sure to put out only a small amount of food at one time, as seed that sits on the ground can become contaminated by dampness, mold, lawn fertilizers or animal droppings.

The greater the variety of food you offer, the greater the variety of birds you will attract to your yard. Start with plain sunflower seed -- black oil, gray stripe, or sunflower hearts. It's the preferred food of most small birds that overwinter in New Hampshire. As your feeder collection grows, try adding mixed seed, thistle seed and suet.

Once you begin feeding birds during the winter, it is very important to be consistent. Empty feeders may cause hardship during extremely cold or stormy winter weather. If you are going to be away for even a few days, ask a neighbor to check and refill your feeders regularly during your absence.

Keep feeders clean to prevent bacteria from contaminating bird food. Salmonella, for example, can grow on wet seed contaminated with bird droppings in the feeder tray. Clean your seed and suet feeders at least once each month. Use a mild solution of bleach and hot, soapy water. Then, rinse the feeders thoroughly with clean water.

The Audubon Society of New Hampshire has two information sheets on Winter Bird Feeding that will tell you more about feeders and general feeding techniques, and list the birds most often seen at New Hampshire feeders. To receive your copies, send $1.00 and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the Audubon Society of New Hampshire -- Feeding Winter Birds, 3 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH 03301. The Audubon Nature Store also carries several books on bird feeding and related topics.