Why Is It Best to Start in the Fall?
Birds are already planning their mid-winter meals early in the fall. During the winter they will need more food to keep warm than they did in the milder months because their natural food supplies will be hard to access. Berries, seeds and insects have disappeared or gone under cover of frost and snow.
With natural food most abundant in fall your feeders may not get as much attention, but be assured that the local wild birds are taking note. They will be looking for easy food sources for later on -- checking the type and quantity of food available. Once they have found several good sources they will be sure to make an appearance when the cold weather comes.
What If I Wait Until Winter?
The problem with waiting until winter really sets in to start your supply is that the birds will already have found their food sources. With the colder weather they can't waste energy searching for new sources. Making sure they know where your feeders are earlier in the year will improve your chances at being a first stop instead of a last resort.
How Do I Attract Them?
In addition to your full bird feeders, it is important to offer water -- especially in winter when most sources may have frozen solid. Offering fresh water daily will encourage birds into your yard for feeding as well. You could also try a warmer for your bird bath. Or if you want to ensure a plentiful supply of unfrozen water for your guests add a heated bird bath. This very reasonably-priced bath has a heater for winter use and a dripper for summer. It was a hit with the birds when field tested.
To attract as many varieties of birds as possible, distribute the bird food on a variety of surfaces and levels. Even if your feeder is well stocked, certain types of birds will prefer feeders separated from the rest. Offer some feed by hanging a feeder in a tree, distribute more seed in a ground platform feeder and more on ledges or railings. Offer suet in hanging wire suet baskets or in wooden suet feeder logs. Place the feed where you can easily see the birds so you'll get the most enjoyment. During the holidays offering seed wreaths extends your celebration outside and the birds love them.
What If I Leave During the Winter?
Due to their scouting early in the fall your feathered friends will know of other sources of food if yours runs out. However, if you're not away make sure to keep the supply available or you may just loose your pals to a more diligent neighbor!
Looking for birds this winter? You may have the best success if you've been feeding in the fall. Otherwise, your yard may have fewer visitors no matter how tantalizing the treats and abundant the offerings. Having said that, I'd put out food for them no matter whether I'd been feeding earlier in the year or not, since it is hard work for birds to survive in the winter. Your feeders are sure to have some visitors and your offerings might even mean the difference in their surviving an especially harsh winter.
