Image of squirrel eating birdseed

A Winter Backyard Buffet

Image of goldfinch on bergamot
Native plants are the best winter food for goldfinches and other wildlife.
Image of goldenrod seedhead in snow
Goldenrod seeds feed birds, and the stalks shelter insects the birds eat.
Image of cardinal in tree in snowstorm
But in snowstorms, it’s harder for animals to reach natural food sources.
Image of echinacea seedheads
Even the seedheads are less accessible.
Image of cardinal in snowstorm
It was so cold yesterday this cardinal took refuge under the eaves.
Image of cardinal in snowstorm
He liked the warm water we put in birdbaths for feather cleaning.
Image of Will feeding birdfeeder
My own male cardinal, Will, helped the birds through frigid temperatures.
Image of squirrel eating birdseed
The squirrels were also grateful for his assistance.
Image of rabbit near front steps in snowstorm
A rabbit came to visit but quickly left for the chokeberry grove.
Image of rabbit under chokeberries in snowstorm
To survive, rabbits eat their nutrient-rich droppings and woody plants.
Image of rabbit footprints
This one left only footprints, but I’m sure we’ll meet again.

The “cardinal” rule of bird feeding? Don’t feed when it might cause harm. That’s the recommendation from my friends at The Humane Society of the United States. While they and other experts believe it’s generally safe given proper precautions, some evidence points to negative impacts. Based on the research, a moderate approach is wise. Provide as many native plants as possible, ease up on feeding in warmer seasons when natural food is abundant, and supplement when sources are scarce or buried in snow. If you feed birds in a remote, cold region such as rural Maine—where there may be little natural food and few feeders for miles around—ask someone to fill your feeders if you leave town. This helps birds who may have become dependent on your supply, says HSUS senior scientist John Hadidian. Read more tips here.

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