PICKAWAY – Some of the Ohio birds fly south for the winter, the ones that don’t just forage harder throughout the winter to survive. Setting up a simple bird feeder you can enjoy some of Ohio most wonderful birds throughout the season and help them survive.
The Mourning dove, Downy woodpecker, Red-bellied woodpecker, Blue jay, Black-capped chickadee, Tufted titmouse, White-breasted nuthatch, finches, and sparrows all stay the winter with us.
Sciotopost asked a local birdwatcher Carla Skinner-Elliot for some tips.
What kind of feeds are best?
“I use wild bird seed, black oiled sunflower seeds and suet cakes. I started out with 6 bird feeders all placed close to trees. A lot of times the feed will freeze and it’s hard for them to get the feed out so I place it on the ground/snow under the birdfeeders. Moving a bird feeder confuses them, because they always go back to same feeding place. I learned that when I moved my hummingbird feeders and put bird feeders in there place. Also I buy nut and fruit bells which I place in our handmade birdhouse which has a roof and keeps them out of the weather.”
What kind of Birds do you see?
“I live in a hollow so there is 100’s of acres of trees around me. Keep in mind as long as there is feed out there you will have birds. What kinds of birds depends on your location. The city won’t see as many types of birds as one who lives in the deep woods such as I do.
They eat those things up. Cardinals, Dark eyed Junco, Red bellied woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Mourning Dove, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Blue Jays. These are the birds I have seen this winter so far. I expect others will come before the cold months end. I am a weekend birdwatcher. I work 48-60 hrs. a Week so I am sure I have missed some. I have never seen so many different birds in my life until I stared feeding them.
House finches by the dozens. Gold finches. White throated sparrows. Brown headed cowbirds. Downy woodpeckers. Red bellied woodpeckers. a couple of dark eyed juncos. White breasted nuthatches. Titmice. Chickadees. Cardinals buy the tons. Mourning doves. And yes. Squirrels , possum and raccoons ! All over at Sheffield
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