It is a favorite for many of us to sip our coffee first thing on a quiet morning and watch the birds at the feeders. My feeders are right in my garden so I love watching the hummingbirds and bees feed off the flowers while the chickadees and occasional nuthatch peck at the feeder.
Here are some of the many options for feeding the wild birds (and squirrels!) in your neighborhood:
Black Oil Sunflower Seed is the most common seed that bird lovers provide in our area. This is a high protein, high calorie and high vitamin seed that attract finches, grosbeaks, sparrows, chickadees, nuthatches and a whole host of other critters.
Millet is a favorite among the ground dwellers (juncos and sparrows) so birders have the best luck offering it directly on the ground. It is a good idea to sprinkle the millet near or under a shrub, so the birds feel more protected from predators. When millet gets wet it will germinate and can foster bacteria and fungal growth. So never scatter more than birds can eat in a day or two, and make sure that tray or platform feeders have excellent drainage.
Thistle (Nyjer seed) is a sure way to attract finches to your feeding station. Thistle seeds are small and packed with nutrients, they are high in fat and calories so they are perfect for winter feeding. This seed has a tendency to mildew so be sure that you keep the feeder protected from the elements and only put out a small amount at a time.
Safflower seed is high in protein and fat. The seed is smaller than sunflower seed and has a hard white shell that protects the inner “meat”. It has a slightly bitter taste which is why some birds and squirrels don’t like it- great news for the northern cardinals, grosbeaks and house finches that love it!
Cracked corn is great for larger birds in our area. It’s easy for them to pick up and is rich in protein and fiber. In addition to the many birds that will eat cracked corn, it is also a favorite food of other backyard wildlife, including deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and raccoons. This can make it a good seed to offer at separate wildlife feeders to distract them from bird feeders. The same is true for peanuts. Birds and our other backyard friends are big fans of diced peanuts.
We sell these above options individually and many of our amazing customers make their own custom blend of feed for their birds. We also stock quite a few pre-mixed options. Our most popular blends are: Patio Mix, Wild Delight Gourmet Outdoor Wild Bird, and Kaytee Waste Free Blend.
Please be aware that we have had a recent rise in Salmonellosis, a common and often fatal bird disease caused by the salmonella bacteria. On rare occasions this strain of salmonella bacteria can transfer from birds to humans through direct contact with infected birds, their droppings, or through domestic cats that catch sick birds.
It has been recommended by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to cease feeding wild birds at this time. This will limit birds congregating at a feeder which greatly diminishes the spread of the disease. If you choose not to take your feeders down, please be sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect your feeders as well as the areas directly around them. To clean your feeder, take it apart and run it through the dishwasher on a hot setting or hand wash with soap and boiling water. You can also use a dilute bleach solution (no more than 1 part bleach to 9 parts water). Rinse thoroughly and allow to completely dry before refilling. For more information please visit: https://wdfw.wa.gov.