Wintering Birds

— Jeni Casinelli, Education & Program Coordinator 

How do local birds survive those long, cold, winter nights? Will they freeze? Will they find food? Many birds live in Rye all winter long, consuming both wild food sources as well as those provided by humans.

 Despite what we see at first glance, there are many wild food sources available during the winter months. Seeds can be found in accumulated leaf litter when snow levels are low. Acorns and walnuts also become a valuable food source for birds including blue jays that have strong beaks for cracking the tough outer shells.

 Dormant insects hiding in trees become a critical food source for chickadees, woodpeckers and nuthatches. Also, don't forget about sap running through the maples trees in February and early March. Woodpeckers will drill holes in these trees to find this nutritious energy source.

 While there are many wild food sources in the winter months, it is still helpful when the birds get a little human help.

 We can help the birds survive the winter by providing supplemental food sources using feeders. It is best to provide high-energy fat sources including suet and black oil sunflower seeds, as they will help birds maintain high levels of body fat for the cold months.

 Finally during the warm months, it is useful to plant winter fruiting plants like hollies. Many birds will turn to these berries throughout the winter as an additional food source.