By Carole Jorgensen & Gael Bissell
Remember the birds and other critters this holiday season by following these simple tips!
Close your blinds and put timers on any outdoor lights to ensure nighttime’s protective darkness. You’ll be helping wildlife while enhancing your view of the stars, and maybe more northern lights!
When cleaning up branches or blowdown, use them to make a brush pile near a feeder. Leave dead wood and native plants to provide both bird cover and food. These piles and native brush are really important for the security of ground feeding birds, such as juncos and doves, and possible wild turkeys.
If you put out bird feeders, please remember to clean and disinfect them regularly. As gathering places for birds, dirty feeders have the potential to spread avian flu and other diseases if not maintained.
Provide water, or as some call it, a bird hot tub! A small heater or heated bowl will keep water from freezing and allow you to enjoy watching winter bird bathing!
Consider putting your holiday tree and wreaths (no tinsel, please) out for birds, decorated with suet. The greenery could also become part of that important brush pile mentioned above.
Finally, keep your cat warm and inside—and your birds safe outside.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Flathead Audubon