Although the necessity and benefits of bird-feeding can be debated, most people who do it do so because they like birds. Birds add color, song, movement and amusement to your life and yard, and they help keep down the insect population. Some people will feed the birds only in the winter, stopping when spring is in full-swing. Others, like David and myself, feed the birds year-round. The variety of birds in your area will certainly differ from those found in Elgin, Illinois, however, the basics of bird-feeding are simple:
Until we got Molly, the border-collie mix, we had two stray cats in the backyard. Whether or not they are still eating our offerings is questionable -- having possibly moved on down the street to more agreeable territory -- yet we know the other wildlife makes our "restaurant" a stop on their daily sojourns. Ears of dried corn, bagels, peanut butter, fruits, meats as well as table scraps and old pet food your own pets won't finish... all of these make a good diet for these scavengers. Just don't put too much out at one time. Also, don't feed any one thing exclusively or on a regular schedule. These are, after all, "wild" animals, which should NOT be encouraged to be dependent on your kindness. Occasional finds of food will bring them back consistently, yet they won't expect the feedings. And they also won't suddenly knock upon your door or try to gain entrance some other way!
Grow Sunflowers --
For inexpensive seeds for your feathered
and furry friends, grow sunflowers (or at least don't pick them when they
grow from the seeds squirrels bury), then in the fall, when the flower
heads have died, break them apart for the seeds.
This Feathered Friends Webring siteis owned by Lisa Hegel . Want to join the Feathered Friends Webring ? |
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