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| The Backyard Corner |
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| Seed & Suet |
| When it comes to feeding our feathered friends, there are LOTS of different choices to make. Hopefully this section will help you narrow down the field a little. Remember, seeds can either be the main source of food you are offering, or just a supplement to the natural food you offer in your yard through your "bird friendly" landscaping. There are various types of wild bird seed, and other foods available to choose from. Different foods will attract different birds, as will different types of feeders. You definitely don't have to "break the bank" and buy every seed and food I'm going to list. I'll try to let you know which is the more popular, but I thought it would be nice to give you some well-rounded information to work with. |
| SEEDS There are lots of different type seeds to choose from when feeding birds. Different birds like different seeds. It can be very confusing (to us...not the birds!!). Some seeds appeal to almost all birds, and some seeds are more specialized and will attract special birds. Here is a list of some of the more common seeds, and an explanation of what birds will like what seeds best..... click here for full article |
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| SUET Suet is an excellent source of protein; it can take the place of insects during the winter months, and provides extra energy during the nesting season. It's a popular place for parent birds to bring their fledglings, which can provide you with hours of bird watching fun. Suet is used mainly to attract Woodpeckers, but a wide assortment of other birds love it too, including Chickadees, Titmouse, Carolina Wrens, and Nuthatches. I've even had Cardinals eating suet in my backyard in the winter, and Catbirds during the nesting season. click here for full article |
| NECTAR Everyone loves Hummingbirds! And we definitely have them on Long Island, even nesting on Long Island. In order to attract Hummers, and if you don't have flowers that will attract them, you must put out nectar. If you are faithful at keeping the nectar feeders filled during during spring and fall, the Hummers will visit you during their migration. Once they have "found" you, they will continue to return each year. |
| MEALWORMS Okay, they aren't seed, and they aren't suet, but I thought I'd put them in this article anyway. Mealworms aren't worms, they are the larvae of the Ground Beetle, and they will attract all kinds of interesting birds. click here for more information |
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