EAST ALTON — Bird songs are a sure sign of spring. Although some area residents feed backyard birds over the winter, many more will pick up the activity again as the temperatures start to warm up.
Community Seed & Feed in East Alton has offered bird feeding supplies for 100 years, and they are well-stocked for the return of backyard springtime feeding.
“We have a premium mix that’s our biggest seller but black oil sunflower is pretty good too,” said Community Seed & Feed owner Cody Blacklock. “The majority of birds around here will feed on those two types of mixes, including Cardinals, Titmice, Finches and Woodpeckers.”
Blacklock said you should select a feeder depending on the type of birds you want to attract and the size of the seed you are using.
“There are thistle feeders for thistle seed, sunflower feeders for sunflower seeds, they make feeders for mixes,” Blacklock said. “You just need to make sure the hole is right.”
And how about feeder placement in your yard?
“Away from your car, for obvious reasons,” Blacklock said. “Most people hang them on trees because birds nest in the trees. There are shepherd hooks if you want to mount them in your yard.”
Blacklock said that bird baths or other water features will attract more birds as well. And if you feed squirrels, do it in another part of the yard. If you don’t want squirrels to steal your bird seed, Blacklock suggests using a squirrel-resistant feeder, a squirrel repellent, or suet in your bird seed mix, which squirrels don’t seem to like.
Homes or nest boxes are available, Blacklock said, if you want to attract birds like House Wrens, Bluebirds or Purple Martins.
Bird feeding doesn’t just bring color and song to your back yard. Illinois Audubon Society Executive Director Jim Herkert said it benefits the birds as well.
“Very few birds are totally dependent on it, but when things get really harsh like they have the past few weeks it can be an important supplement,” Herkert said. “In the summer time there is evidence that fed birds do better raising their young, either they raise more young or the young they raise are healthier.”
“There’s also evidence that feeding might be playing a role in range expansion,” Herkert said. “Red-Bellied Woodpeckers and Carolina Wrens are turning up in places they didn’t before, and it’s possible that feeding is playing some role there.”
Herkert said Riverbend area residents can watch and feed several bird species year-round including Mourning Doves, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Bluejays, Chickadees, American Goldfinches, Cardinals, House Sparrows and House Finches. As spring approaches, he said residents are likely to see Dark-Eyed Juncos, White-Throated Sparrows, and the occasional Common Redpoll or Purple Finch.
Herkert said that during spring and fall migration times, your bird feeder may also host Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks, Orioles, Hummingbirds or Indigo Buntings.
“For migrating birds, feeding can be a really important source of energy as they fatten up for migration,” Herkert said. “A prime example there would be Hummingbirds. They are around all summer but when migration is getting ready to start they really load up on the feeders before they make their migration.”
Herkert added that you shouldn’t forget to have a water source near your bird feeder, because water features bring in species that aren’t necessarily coming in for seed, but may be looking for water.
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February 28, 2022 at 03:15AM
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For the birds: Selecting right feed draws feathered friends - Alton Telegraph
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