OUTDOOR CORNER: FEEDERS HELP BIRDS WING IT IN THE WINTER

You could say that this one is pretty much "for the birds."

However, if you're considering joining the more than 1 1/2 million Missourians who regularly feed birds in their yards, then maybe this is for you, too. With so many people participating in this activity, you will encounter a wide variety of opinions with regard to the best way to go about it.

Although people may not always agree on the method, they do share the common goal of helping the birds through the difficult months of winter. And while the birds are the primary beneficiaries of the feeding, people also benefit. In addition to the personal satisfaction derived from providing food, we are given an opportunity to observe wild birds at close range and from the comfort of our homes.

One of the things that makes feeding birds so popular is the fact that you can participate at the level of your choice. You can keep it as simple as throwing a handful of mixed seed or bread crumbs on the ground. Or you can become involved to the point of providing specialized seeds and feeders designed to attract only certain species of birds to your yard.

Regardless of your degree of involvement, there are some basic things that you can do to obtain the greatest benefits from the time and money that you choose to invest. The type of food, the location of feeders and even when to feed are all things that you should take into consideration.

The type of food that you provide will often be dictated by both availability and cost. However, like many things in life, a low price tag may or may not be a bargain in the long run. If you are interested in attracting certain types of birds and getting the most for your money, then you might want to obtain a copy of "Backyard Bird Feeding" prior to your seed purchase. The pamphlet is available free of charge from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MAC) and shows the level of attractiveness for 14 different types of seed to more than a dozen species of birds.

By taking the pamphlet with you when you go to purchase your seed, you can select the mixture that best suits your needs. Pre-packaged birdseed that contains a high percentage of black oil type sunflower seed and white (Proso) millet seed will attract a wide variety of birds. Mixes that contain high percentages of rice and milo (grain sorghum) will attract fewer species.

The location of your feeder should take several things into account. First, and foremost, it should be situated where the birds can best utilize it. This means placing it near a shrub or tree that can provide escape cover from predators. Next, you will want to make it easily accessible for refilling. If is located in such a way that it requires a great deal of effort to fill, you will probably end up feeling that the feeder is more trouble than it is worth and will not keep if full. Another factor to consider when placing your feeder is locating it where it can be comfortably viewed from indoors.

When to feed and when to stop feeding are common concerns for many people. If you don't keep your feeder full all the time, or if you simply broadcast your seed on the ground, you should feed late in the afternoon and provide enough that some will be left over for the morning. This is especially important during bitter weather such as we experienced last week.

Many people indicate that they would like to feed birds but don't start because they won't be able to continue uninterrupted until spring. They believe that they can't stop feeding once they have started, or the birds will sit around the empty feeder until they starve to death. Studies do not bear this out. Birds are highly mobile and are quick to search for new food sources when necessary.

A majority of people stop feeding when the weather warms up, usually some time in March in southeast Missouri. The truth is, despite warm temperatures, March and even April can be a stressful time for birds. Mating and nest building activities are beginning at a time when natural food supplies are often at the lowest point in the year. Although vegetation is growing rapidly, it has not matured to the point that it can supply a dependable supply of seed. Should you elect to go ahead and feed during the early spring months, you can anticipate plenty of activity.

Some people feed year round. They receive the added bonus of observing birds in their summer/mating plumage which is usually much brighter than the often drab colors that most birds sport during fall and winter.

In addition to year round feeding, it is not difficult, or expensive to plant trees and shrubs in your yard that will provide nest and roost sites throughout the year.

For more information on planting, consult the MDC publications: "Back Yard Birds" and "Landscaping for Wildlife." Also available is a publication entitled "Winter Birds" that has a viewing guide of some of the more common birds at feeders. All of these are available, free of charge, by contacting the Missouri Department of Conservation, Southeast Regional Service Center, 2302 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, or by calling (314)290-5730.

Gene Meyers is a Missouri Conservation Agent in Cape Girardeau County.