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The large flocks of local birds have dispersed and breeding pairs begin their rite of spring … the nesting season. This is your opportunity to observe some of the miracles of nature as you observe birds' courtship rituals and nesting activity.
There are several things you can do to insure a welcome environment for breeding birds. First, continue to offer seed in your bird feeders. As the insect populations increase you'll find your regular, feathered visitors cutting back on their seed consumption. It is, however, still an important part of their diets. Be sure to clean feeders more regularly during hot weather. Moldy seed and residue can harbor harmful organisms.
Consider continuing to offer suet feeds. This high-energy food is a favorite of woodpeckers, catbirds, chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches. During hotter weather, offer smaller chunks of suet. It will be consumed more quickly than a large block and therefore freshness won't be an issue.
Another special feeding item is eggshells. They are preferred by females probably because of the high calcium content. Eggshells also provide grit, which aids in digestion. It is probable that birds do not get enough grit from their insect diet and are attracted to shells for that reason. Shells should be rinsed and dried in the sun. Or, you may bake them on a cookie sheet at 250 degrees until they are dry and just beginning to brown on the edges. Baking disinfects the shells. Crush the shells and place them on an elevated surface. You'll find the offering visited by swallows, catbirds, thrashers, wrens, robins, goldfinches, bluebirds, martins and more.
If it's nesting season, then birdhouses are definitely in order. There are a multitude of houses for nearly every kind of bird and every kind of backyard décor! And, once the houses are in place, the next requirement is nesting material. Offer material by hanging it on trees or shrubs. Homemaking items favored by nesting birds include: string and twine (no longer than about 8 inches), feathers, hair clippings and strips of paper. You can also offer twigs, grass clippings, straw and bark on the ground. Watching your feathered neighbors fly away with these building materials helps you identify nesting areas. Keeping an eye on these sites throughout the season you'll enjoy the birds' nesting and nurturing habits. |
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