Since the summer was a bust for wildlife food, I put out seed and scratch grains twice a day through the winter. I have suet and sugar water for the woodpeckers. Also, I put out a mineral block for deer and now the quail and smaller birds are taking a liking to it.
What do you put out for wildlife/birds?
What do you put out for wildlife/birds?
Where am I?
In NABUR by Herald/Review Media you can ask and answer questions and share your experience with others!
As for the question of what to feed birds. That is a matter of what species you want to attract and which species are likely to be attracted in "your" habitat (e.g. open and rural landscapes, city and urban landscapes, grasslands, riparian, etc.). Ideally, it is also a matter of providing seed, nuts, and fruit that the species in your area would naturally have access to if the birds were foraging without feeders as a source. I alternate where I locate and how many hummingbird feeder(s) I put out seasonally. Spreading out the seed feeders across your landscape and keeping those separated from fruit feeders is generally a good idea. Birds are not going to disappear if feeders go dry for a couple of days but for continuous and long periods of empty feeders, you most likely will not see as many birds coming to your feeders.
Nuisance animals or opportunities for wildlife watching? My advice has been the same over the years when talking with well meaning wildlife watchers. Be aware of the unintended and sometimes unexpected consequences of attracting wildlife. Attracting wildlife can lead to a number of serious problems. Such as, too many species in one place could cause the spread of disease or unwanted and aggressive behavior of animals towards humans could occur. In some parts of Arizona, feeding wildlife, other than birds, is unlawful. Be smart, plant native vegetation, observe wildlife from a distance and enjoy!
I live in Pomerene (3 miles north of Benson) I've also been putting out the mixed seed from Ace and thistle for the finches. I love the finches. I have sparrows, of course, and doves and the darn grackles. Oh and Phirraloxia. I'm planning on getting more seed for cardinals. I also have suet blocks and a seed block for song birds. I only feed every other day or I would go broke.
I know it gets expensive, especially finch seed. And, then when it's windy, it blows away! Love the great tailed grackles with their unusual tails. Don't see many down here.
Thanks, Shar! I have a wide variety of birds visiting my yard to enjoy the mixture of seeds from ACE. The hummingbirds like the sugar water. When weather warms I hope to have some flowers to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Christine Rhodes
Hi Christine, what part of sierra vista do u live in?
Hello: I live in the San Jose neighborhood in Bisbee. Christine
I wonder if our resident bird expert @JO Roberts would have anything to add :-)
I would be afraid to put out any seed, or anything. I was informed that if I do that, it will attract rodents, and then of course, snakes.
I've been putting out seed for 15 years and have not had a snake problem. My cat, hawks, owls, road runners and Shrike take care of rodents. The few king snakes that show up occassionally just add to the rodent patrol. Besides, once you get the birds feeding, there's nothing left for rodents.
Seeing nature at work in all the feathered beauties is well worth it. There have been 101 different species visit my yard over the years. They are a joy.
Where in Sierra Vista do u live? Neighborhood? I am moving to summit ridge
I live a hour east of Sierra Vista in the Sulphur Springs Valley. Surrounded by ranch lands.