Although Birding may take some extra effort especially on a cold winter's day your efforts will be rewarded by seeing all the different species of birds visiting your yard. Birding is also a wonderful pastime!

Placing feeders in protected areas helps bird seed stay fresh and also allow birds to be protected from the harsher weather in winter. Try and make sure birdseed is stored properly and bird-feeders are refilled regularly to maintain freshness.

Some birders even keep bird baths during the winter months! Birds do require a fresh source of water in winter. Make sure the water is fresh and clean (at least once a week). Many birdbaths go unused because they are too deep. Keep the water shallow - typically 1 to 3 inches at its deepest point since most birds bath in water that is no deeper than their legs are long.

You can keep a birdbath free of ice by pouring warm water into the bowl, but this is tedious in extremely cold weather, as the water freezes rapidly. A stick of wood left in the water can help you pop out ice so you can add fresh water. (If the water does freeze, the stick will also help to prevent the birdbath from cracking). Birdbaths can be equipped with submersible heaters, Small heaters designed to operate at a depth of one to three inches. People who have ponds in their yard are familiar with these types of heaters.

We carry a wide variety of birdseed/food, bird-feeders, birdbaths and birding accessories at Van Bourgondien Nursery.

Happy Birding!