Songbirds nesting in winter gardens

By: 
Rob Zimmer
Columnist

With temperatures finally dropping, the songbirds of winter begin to move into our area, frequenting backyard and garden feeders, as well as plants left standing for the winter season. If you’ve never enjoyed the hobby of bird feeding during the winter season, this is the time to start.

There are many fun and colorful species of songbirds that are right at home in our area during the winter season. In fact, many of these birds migrate here to spend the winter. Rather than fly south to tropical locations, many birds from the Arctic and the boreal forests of Canada travel here to spend the winter. Unbothered by cold and snow, these songbirds are a joy throughout the season.

Probably the favorite bird of many, the northern cardinal is a perfect example. These beautiful, exotic looking birds are right at home here in the snowy northwoods, bringing cheer and warmth to even the coldest and snowiest days. Cardinals love large seeds such as striped sunflower, black oil sunflower and safflower. Feeding these types of food, either in a hopper feeder or platform feeder, as well as scattered along the ground, will entice cardinals to your yard and garden.

A close relative of the cardinal, the evening grosbeak, has been pushing south in larger than normal numbers this fall, so far. Evening grosbeaks are colored a stunning blend of yellow and gold, black and white. These chunky birds travel in flocks and roam the forests of Wisconsin, seeking out sources of food. They have been spotted this fall so far as far south as Grant County and Milwaukee. Keep an eye out for these beautiful birds as they often don’t stay long on their traveling journeys.

The pine siskin is another beautiful bird colored in shades of gold and olive green. A relative of the goldfinch, pine siskins nest far to our north, moving south into our area for the winter. They are fond of the same foods as American goldfinches, such as Nyjer seed and other small seeds. As their name implies, these birds use their sharp, pointed beaks to pry pine seeds and spruce seeds out of conifer trees.

Juncoes, chickadees, nuthatches, even the occasional tufted titmouse are all common and enjoyable birds of winter that flock to feeders of different styles, as well as gardens, as they roam the winter wonderland.

All of our native woodpeckers are fun to enjoy during the winter season. Feed suet, peanuts, cracked corn and other sources of food for these striking birds. Downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, pileated woodpecker and red-bellied woodpeckers are all expected and quite common in our area. Suet is one of their favorite sources of food, and you can purchase suet cakes in many different varieties or flavors. There is even one that is called a woodpecker blend. This one is packed with nuts and other morsels of food.

The plants in your garden can provide a good source of food for winter in birds, as well. Many varieties of birds will feed upon the seed heads of purple coneflower, black eyed Susan, sunflower, zinnia, cosmos, cup plants, prairie coneflower, aster and others. Milkweed seeds are another source of food. Additionally, fruit trees such as crab apples, orchard trees, highbush cranberry, as well as fruiting vines such as wild grape make excellent sources of food for wild songbirds during the winter season.

If you are new to birdwatching, pick up a bird field guide featuring the common birds of our area and enjoy identifying them throughout the winter season as they drop in to your feeder and garden. By offering a wide variety of food and food sources, you’ll attract the greatest variety of birds. Include a suet feeder, hopper style feeder, platform feeder or flat board, as well as a tube or sock feeder filled with Nyjer seed. You’re sure to see a variety of beautiful birds.


Rob Zimmer is a nature and garden author, public speaker and radio show host on WHBY. Readers can find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RobZimmerOutdoors.