Gardening
Remember our fair feathered friends in winter
Keith Hansen

I like this time of year.

After a long, hot summer, the arrival of autumn is so welcome.

I particularly enjoy being outdoors, where you are more in tune with the natural rhythms of the world in which we live.

For me, one of my greatest simple pleasures is hearing a skein (flock) of geese flying far overhead, winging their way south, following the powerful inner call to migrate south for the winter.

That's just something you don't experience if you spend most of your time indoors.

Geese are not the only birds migrating at this time of year.

Many songbirds are on their way south, and many birds spend the winter right here in East Texas.

My family has always enjoyed feeding birds throughout the year.

Birds bring action, color, plus pest control to our surroundings.

Many folks enjoying attracting and identifying as many different types of birds as possible.

Others simply enjoy having the flurry of activity of these enjoyable creatures nearby in the yard.

Children can learn many lessons by observing and identifying birds all year long as they feed, make nests, raise their young and search for food and water.

Water: One sure way to attract birds to your yard is to supply a constant source of fresh water.

Even if a source of food is not provided, a birdbath will attract a great variety of birds, especially during the drier times of the year.

But, birds will take advantage of water all year long, even during the winter.

Robins, bluebirds, finches, doves and sparrows all frequent a birdbath.

Be sure that is located where it can be easily seen from your window.

The water bowl should not be too deep.

If you have a deep decorative bowl or fountain, provide some rocks or gravel so birds can easily take a drink without fear of slipping in.

Some birds prefer a shallow pool of water closer to ground level for drinking and bathing, so if cats are not a problem in your neighborhood, try a combination of watering holes.

Change the water frequently to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Or, regularly use a mosquito control product that contains Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) - it will not harm birds, but prevents mosquito larvae from maturing into adults.

Food: Besides water, a source of food is a sure-fire way to bring birds to your yard. Many birds are seedeaters, and by learning what kinds of seeds different birds prefer, you can attract many different types.

Sunflower is a favorite food of many, including the brilliant red cardinal, chickadees, tufted titmice, nuthatches, woodpeckers, several species of finches and many other songbirds.

While humans like the striped sunflower, most birds prefer the black sunflower, which is very rich in oils.

If you like, you can make it easier on the birds and buy shelled sunflowers, which also reduces the amount of litter that accumulates below the feeders. Cracked sunflower seed also reduces the number of little sunflower seedlings that will sprout in early spring.

Many small songbirds, especially the colorful goldfinch, relish the tiny thistle or Niger seed. Thistle is best served from a thistle feeder that has tiny slits just big enough for birds to grab the thistle without the seed spilling on the ground.

Safflower is another quality, high-energy food that many birds will eagerly take. Some mixes will also contain cracked peanuts and other seeds.

There are a variety of types of feeders and you may want to start with a simple, elevated platform feeder with a roof and hopper that protects the seed from rain and slowly dispenses the seed.

You can later include other types such as the tube-type droll feeder.

Most birds prefer feeders that hang from a branch or are elevated off of the ground.

A few birds, such as doves, mainly feed on the ground. A very low platform feeder can provide for these types of ground feeders. Platform feeders reduce the amount of seed spilling on the ground.

Cardinals prefer an open platform for feeding.

Squirrels are always a challenge since they like an easy, free meal. I have successful foiled squirrels with feeders with a plastic dome, hanging from a branch.

They've only grabbed a very few snacks over the years, and fallen to the ground empty pawed most of the time.

Beef suet or peanut butter wedged in a wire cage will attract woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatch and other interesting birds.

There are many specialty suet cakes and holders available at stores that sell bird-feeding supplies.

Get your kids involved in bird watching by making a simple, inexpensive feeder. Take an older pinecone that has opened up, and attach twine or other material for hanging. Now have them coat the pinecone with peanut butter.

Finally, roll it in a pan of seed and they'll have made a birdfeeder that will attract a wide variety of birds. Be sure to hang where it can be easily seen from indoors.

A pair of binoculars and an easy-to-use bird identification book rounds off a fun, yet educational experience.

Once you start feeding birds, be sure to continue to replenish feeders throughout the winter and early spring, since birds become accustomed to and rely on the food you supply.

Birds tend to be skittish and will feel more comfortable visiting your feeders and birdbath if there is a variety of dense shrubbery near the bird bath or feeding station where they can take refuge from any real or imagined dangers.

Consider adding special food plants to your landscape to attract even more feathered friends.

Many types of birds are fond of berries, seeds and nuts, and there are many high-quality landscape plants that not only look good in the landscape but also are favored by birds.

Hollies, like yaupon holly, possum haw holly, and American holly, rank near the top of the list of berry-bearing plants that attract birds and at the same time make excellent, hardy additions to the landscape.

Cedar waxwings, bluebirds, mockingbirds and many others relish the colorful berries on hollies.

Many other types of plants supply food for birds.

Here is a short list of plants suited both for birds and East Texas growing conditions: American beautyberry, blueberries, huckleberries, farkle berries, sassafras, crabapple, sumac, pyracantha, hawthorns, elderberry, flowering dogwood, sunflower, nandina, red cedar (native juniper), wax myrtle, Chinese

photinia, and viburnum.

Even the hated sweetgum

'ball' is full of seeds eaten by many types of birds.

!

Keith Hansen is Smith County Horticulturist with Texas Cooperative Extension. His web page is http://EastTexasGardening.ta mu.edu.