A HORTICULTURIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION SAYS IF YOU’VE BEEN KEEPING YOUR BIRD FEEDER STOCKED…IT’S IMPORTANT NOT TO STOP DURING THE COLD WINTER MONTHS. 

IF YOU ROUTINELY PUT OUT BIRD FEEDERS…THE BIRDS WILL ADD YOUR YARD TO THEIR REGULAR ROUTE SAYS THE EXTENSION’S RICHARD HENTSCHEL.

IF YOU USUALLY HAVE A FEEDER OUT, BIRDS WILL GET USED TO STOPPING BY YOUR YARD SAYS THE EXTENSION’S RICHARD HENTSCHEL. HE RECOMMENDS PROVIDING SEED INTO MID-SPRING WHEN PLANTS START TO COME UP. AND IF YOU DON’T WANT THE SQUIRRELS PARTAKING…

HENTSCHEL SAYS YOU CAN ATTRACT DIFFERENT KINDS OF BIRDS BASED ON THE FEEDERS AND SEED YOU USE AND SUGGESTS SUPPLYING WATER AS WELL.