Create a Winter Bird Haven

[@billguernsey6419]

I can’t believe I’ve been doing this style of feeding simply by observing what my birds like, he’s so right about milo.

[@JayP-kd5rc]

I really enjoyed your video. I am 74 now, and have been feeding the birds for many years. I planted my yard years ago by adding a tree or shrub here and there. Ground cover, and tried to add trees or bushes that berry and feed the birds in winter. We made it very woodsy, and easy care. It has brought in many different species of birds for many years. Some of the trees have gotten older now and are slowly coming down branch by branch, but I leave them up for the birds to use. I feed all year as I like to watch the parent birds bring their babies in the spring and summer months. My yard is always full of the sound of birds. Thank you for all your information.

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Glad you enjoyed it.Your yard sounds like a bird paradise!

[@cathyzimmerman9467]

Thank you so much January 2024 and you are still helping people. Thank you so much, I learned a lot. :)

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Glad this video is still helpful. Even after a few years!

[@pathfinderwellcare]

This is great! I am a renter but my landlord does not maintain our shared yard. I have slowly started sneaking in bird friendly plants and caring for the yard. I'm going to incorporate what you shared!

[@dianasluijk-bogdan9701]

So much info!!! Fantastic video, thank you!

[@Curiouser-4more]

Love this, thank you. My 1/3 acre sports a sign “Wild by Design’. It has certainly lived up to it’s theme. Started in 1998 with a blank slate. Now we have many tall trees, a huge pond, and a highway beyond the fence. A game camera has revealed fox families and every other 4 legged critter you can imagine, except, cats! For many years the mallards would visit and we left a saucer of seed that they would deliberately walk to. Over time the abundance drew doves, and all the underground critters, and too many white feathers began to result. Saucer deleted. Mallards gone. Doves return annually and nest in the same place. Who to please. Man o man. So many to love.

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Sounds like a Disney-themed landscape with all the critters showing up! Thank you for sharing.

[@rezzer7918]

A superior primary reference source for 🐦‍⬛ feeding do's and dont's based on university level knowledge.

[@herbzah5405]

I rescued & released squirrels. They absoLUTEly LOVED black oil 🌻Seeds!

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

They live like kings and queens high in the tree tops barking this and that to us peasants below!

[@Sunshine-lg8su]

I love feeding my birds. I have found a solution to the birds striking my window. I built my own window screens that cover my windows completely on the outside and the frame sits a few inches off the window. The screen is a little loose for a rebound and I have never had a bird death since placing these home made window screens on every window. It gives me peace of mind and the birds appreciate my effort😌

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

It's great to read how others come up with ideas for helping our feathered friends avoid window strikes. Thank you for sharing!

[@infallibleblue]

Oh you should share this more. Very helpful

[@SmokyMountainBlessed]

thanks for the tips, just bought my first bird feeder

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Good luck!

[@chumchum4393]

Really enjoyed your video!

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@orianafisher3960]

You're a wonderful presenter, I've been feeding birds here in Northern Ontario, Canada for many years, yet I still learned alot from you, we get such a variety of birds in the day and our four legged mammals at night. I found your segment on seedtypes interesting, especially the milo seed, I'll be reading the labels of my seed mix from now on. Thank you so much!

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Thank you so much! As the cold sets in I hope you have a great winter watching the wondrous pageantry of our winter birds.

[@orianafisher3960]

@@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture thank you and same to you!

[@suerosenbacher8177]

Just watched your video, jan 13, 2023. Everything you stated is so applicable for me, an Illinois master gardener . Didn’t catch your name for future reference.

[@jo-annsiebert4860]

This is such a helpful and inspiring presentation!

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@dencollie]

So grateful for your wisdom and knowledge!♥️🌸

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Glad it was helpful!

[@teresamexico309]

Birds get crazy happy with oranges, I do place them in thin slices so they are not wasted and the birds go through all of it. Also, birds around they do like Milo over cracked corn. Helpfull video, Thank you!

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@billdoty6438]

Robins love grapes, but also Cardinals eat them and purple finches also like them. The bad news is the stinking squirrels also do.

[@Phantom97122]

Thank you so much for this all in one video , exactly what I was searching for. Very good infos, and philosophy.

[@BirdBath1]

Phantom97122, look at bird bath

[@alecfromminnenowhere2089]

I've had predation from American Kestrels also. They are a Falcon and are fast. The Sharp Shined accipiter are smaller than the Cooper hawk accipiter.

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

American Kestral, so fluffy and colorful. I really want to pet one. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/overview

[@endrankluvsda4loko172]

Such a fantastic video full of great information and presented very well! Thank you!

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@helenmcnmixvlog1511]

Wow that's is amazing video I love humming birds 🐦 so beautiful and so cute thanks for sharing this video my friend enjoy watching here new friend please stay safe and connected have a great day ❤ 💕 💗 😊

[@BirdBath1]

HELEN MCN MIX VLOG, look at bird bath

[@kendallhtucker]

this is awesome! thanks for sharing

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Thank you for watching!

[@WarblerRidge]

I’ve found that regular window insect screens practically eliminate window strikes. I live in the woods with lots of trees and lots of birds and I don’t get window strikes. The screen breaks up the glare from the window. And if a bird does happen to hit, it should be a cushioned impact. Plus, if you have window screens, you can open the window and listen to the birds singing :-) Excellent video. Thank you.

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Excellent suggestion! That's what some of our Master Naturalists have mentioned about the benefits of window screening.

[@outdoorztime2923]

Very nice! I truly enjoyed this. One thing I plan to take and use from this video is planting in layers - Canopy • Midstory • Understory • Ground Cover. 48:47 Thanks! Has anyone else out there decided to try this technique/style of planting for wildlife?

[@BirdBath1]

Terry Standard, look at bird bath

[@sgunn711]

I love Squirells and we feed them heathy nuts & seeds along with the birds..

[@sgueymard]

Really enjoyed watching this whole video! My cat turned 14 and doesn't go out in the winter anymore, so it was an opportunity to hang different bird feeders in my Magnolia. Almost instantly attracted all the birds i hadn't seen in years! That's so rewarding! 🥰 Got anwers to all my questions in this video, so thank you! Glad it's a good idea not to feed the birds during the summer, since my cat still hunts. Also won't put bird baths and houses. Feeding the squirrels on the ground... They're fun to watch too... -30°C yesterday and everyone was eating... Even the previous day, during the snow storm... Glad to provide easy meals and wind shelter in the backyard! 😊 Oh, and i'm also a graduate horticulturist from McGill U.

[@BirdBath1]

Pocket Movie Maker, look at bird bath

[@billionairerehab4953]

I have a window feeder and if I stand still I don't know if they can see me but sometimes it seems as if they are curious about me. They will stay there unless I seddenly move. I discovered a way to prop are plastic tray on the window allowing the window itself to hold the tray in place. It is slick so it is comical because sometimes they slide when they land. Titmice and Bluejays love shelled peanuts. Birds can be picky eaters. Window feeders are squirrel proof. So far. I place different types of suet and other seed balls on the clothes line. No Squirrels. So try to walk on them like a trapeze artist but can't hold on and eat at the same time. Sparrows are a major pain, there are way too many of them.

[@BirdBath1]

Billionaire Rehab, look at bird bath

[@billionairerehab4953]

@@BirdBath1 I have improved on my idea. I bought a bunch of ink markers at the $1.25 store. I took the guts out and strung them on the wire. Now if they try to cross it the markers spin around. Aother idea is to use craft beads used for making nechlaces (pony beads) from Walmart the holes are large enough to take a decent gauge cable. Empty shampoo, dish detergent bottles etc. They can be fun to decorate any which way you choose.

[@brendabortels155]

I by a bag of chicken scratch to mix with sunflower seeds and peanuts and spread on ground and put just sunflowers seeds in feeders get all kinds of birds

[@BirdBath1]

brenda bortels, look at bird bath

[@susanrieske4258]

Suet can be purchased in the meat department at the grocery store.

[@melindawhitfield9288]

Hummingbirds are around in the winter time..atleast here they are...in the pacific nw :)

[@awm7353]

This video is based on Illinois. Not on the Pacific NW. Different climate. Different wildlife.

[@BirdBath1]

Look at bird bath 🐄🦜

[@williamtaylor2412]

love my bird's feed all the time but the prices are getting really high

[@JayP-kd5rc]

Yes, and widowed and on a fixed income, I have had to cut back this year. I still feed, but not as much as I used to. It has gotten far to expensive.

[@sarahgilbert8036]

I miss the Norwegian habit/tradition of putting at least 1 "nek" (sheaf) of oats out at Jul time (xmas). Tied to a tree limb, a light- or garden post, it allows them to hide in the sheaf to get away from cold winds and wet (snow/rain) weather, as well as feeding them. I'm thinking of finding seed-oats and growing enough myself for at least 1 sheaf!

[@angellas.1314]

I don’t see the links you mentioned. Great video!

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Thanks Angella! Links have been added to the description.

[@alliehamilton-calhoun162]

My yard in McLean county is, evidently, well known to the birds as a reliable food source. I have many species visiting all year round. There was a red-winged black bird hanging out with all of the invasive starlings gorging themselves on my bird seed. I've never seen a RWBB in Illinois in mid February, let alone in my yard in a noisy subdivision!

[@BirdBath1]

Allie Hamilton-Calhoun, look at bird bath

[@mickamoo1]

You may have solved the mystery of the missing wasps. Year before last they really tormented me and the hummingbirds and I discovered them going in and out between some branches of a huge cedar close by. It doesn’t get that cold on Vancouver Island so I figured I’d see them again but they never showed up, I wonder if the birds ate them. I’m surrounded by forests so there’s lots of them, squirrels too. We don’t have possums, I wish we did.

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

I watched a bald-faced hornet's nest hanging low on a magnolia tree in Central Illinois this past summer. At the end of September, the nest was torn open. I saw what appeared to be raccoon paw prints in the mud around the tree. The damage seemed to match the suspected animal. Yet a few hornets remained. Within days birds came in and picked off the rest. Not sure who drew the first blood - mammal or bird, but the birds cleaned it up.

[@mickamoo1]

@@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture wow! I have a lot of raccoons around here, I’ll have to thank them!

[@craighill2589]

We live in Hailey Idaho and enjoy feeding and watching the birds out our windows. We have had a problem with birds running into our windows. Do you have a solution for this. I have done a lot of different things but haven't found the magic answer.

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Bird strikes on windows can be tough to manage. Check out our conversation with ornithologist Dr. Michael Ward where he addresses this problem. The following link should pick up right when we start talking about birds and windows kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqm9ZHuffptsntU

[@MKpixelfan]

Put out other foods for other animals please...they are cold, hungry including squirrels. They are so smart and loving. Put a feeder just for squirrels PLEASE!

[@edwardcrawford6455]

Thank you. Edward Eve Crawford

[@infallibleblue]

I hope you have happy birds your way too!😊

[@kari3368]

Do you feed other little animals, like chipmunks and squirrels, they get hungry too

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Not on purpose, but they seem to get plenty of leftovers.

[@phammond8155]

I put food out for the raccoons and they stopped climbing the trees and eating the birdseed. Problem solved plus the raccoons are pretty cute.

[@herbzah5405]

The squirrels here don't like corn. 💓pecans, 🌻seeds p.butter on saltines. I rub salt off or get no salt or they will eat it off the tree (smeared on with butter knife). Can the nuthatches and others that like pnuts, eat them green? Not literally green in color just raw young peanuts?

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Thank you for sharing! I'd go for the pecans too over field corn.

[@ronniebeeson7706]

Have a new ,large ,tube feeder.won’t come to it.are they being shy or afraid?

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Could be many reasons for feeder shyness. Perhaps they are getting the resources they need elsewhere. Warmer weather often encourages natural foraging away from feeders. Predators like hawks or housecats can keep them away.

[@JayP-kd5rc]

Sometimes it takes them a while to get used to a new feeder. Eventually one brave bird will try it, and the others will follow.

[@joanofarc708]

Feed the birds and you'll never be short

[@refreshmyride]

Consider a tint for your windowside feeders 😎

[@gemimodel]

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[@annedahl7151]

It is a problem with bigger birds, they taking food from small birds on winter and destroying theirs family life, attac young birds, what to do with this? 😭

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

This is a tough situation. There is certainly a pecking order at the bird feeder. Early on, I learned blue jays can be bullies, but later learned they play an important ecological role for our oak trees. Everyone at the feeder has a role to play. An exception to that are non-native species such as the European starling. They can be quite disruptive at our feeders and even compete for nesting locations with our native birds. Following are a few resources about bird bullies and dealing with starlings. From Cornell - Feeder bullies and who wins? www.allaboutbirds.org/news/when-136-bird-species-show-up-at-a-feeder-which-one-wins/ Deterring Feeder bullies www.allaboutbirds.org/news/my-feeders-are-being-overrun-with-starlings-and-blackbirds-that-eat-all-the-food-and-keep-smaller-birds-away-what-can-i-do/

[@annedahl7151]

Thank you 🌞, but its not starlings, they are ok to axept, but it lives some black/white much bigger bird family near houses and eating 😪not only food but younger small birds

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

@@annedahl7151 I am unsure. Some of the larger woodpeckers can be aggressive. A young coopers hawk has black and white plumage and may be hunting around the bird feeder. When that happens, a good strategy is to take down the feeders for a few weeks and to encourage the predator to move on.

[@rociomena3150]

I put tray feeders at least two in the same spot so all kind of birds come to eat big and small. I have a tray with just peanuts on a shell next to them and the blue jays take turns to come to that tray with peanuts.

[@dorothybutterfield8428]

Squirrels are wild animals of course if you put food out they are going to take advantage they just see an abundance of food and are just trying to survive like the birds , I put up a squirrel feeder problem solved

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

You are correct! We can put out a buffet, but can't choose who shows up to eat. Will I still complain about the squirrels? Yes!

[@lightgiver7311]

That's why all the hawks show up. You are just providing easy food for predators.

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Bird food.

[@synoptic4753]

#Sparrows disapprove of suet.

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

But not the starlings!

[@rayannehorne3468]

We already have one. Sorry lhs

[@SenshinDk]

Enjoy seeing a squirrel fall off? What is wrong with people?

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

The squirrels were very embarrassed. Many of their squirrel friends made fun of them.

[@patazlin4835]

Could be narrated more concisely, (Very slow content, lost interest.)