In celebration of National Feed the Birds Month, this February, we are having our annual Birds Seed Sale in store. 

Stop in anytime in the month of February and receive 15% off, DSC members will receive an extra 5% off, all bagged seed & peanuts. This includes all 5lbs, 10lbs, & 20lbs bags.

 

                                      HISTORY OF FEED THE BIRDS DAY

The 1st Feed the Birds Day took place in 1994, this was meant to help encourage people to feed the birds during the coldest part of the year when food is scarce. The month of February also happens to be the last stretch of winter in many parts of Northern America. Because of this most natural food reserves are running low and it is becomes increasing difficult to find more. Thus this time of year is one of the most dangerous for birds, especially if they cannot get the extra calories needed to keep themselves warm and hunt for more food.  

Feed the Birds Month's goal is to assist our feathery friends by providing a much needed supplementary source of food and educate people on the importance of the type of food to help birds receive the correct type of food they need to survive this last part of winter. Birds need seed blends which are dense in calories these nutrient-rich seeds include: Black oil sunflower, nyjer, white proso millet, sunflower chips, peanuts, and berries. Some seeds to avoid are red milo seed (sorghum), oats, wheat, flax, and buckwheat seeds. Often times these fillers make seed blends extremely wasteful as the birds probably won't even go near the feeder if these are in them. 

Even though the groundhog predicted an early Spring this year, our feathery friends are not in the clear yet. Spring in Wisconsin can be a beast of itself and it takes time for natural food sources to start growing again. Keep in mind our songbirds are on the decline and we if we are able we should help supplement them when we can. 

 

                         

Being Seasonally Savvy: You Can Help Birds Survive

It’s really hard to think of wild birds as being loyal friends.

After all, they are truly one of the freest creatures on the planet, able to fly anywhere at any time with nothing to bind them to any single location.

But birds, like humans, are creatures of habit and bird banding studies have shown that many of our winter birds, such as Juncos and native sparrows, utilize the same wintering location year after year.

With a potential lifespan of over 10 years, it is likely that the Junco gleaning millet off of the ground below one of your feeders has spent many previous winters as your loyal backyard guest. And recent research shows that is only half the story!

These birds are not only loyal to a specific location, but also to a single feeder! The study showed that the only time they abandoned their favorite feeder was during periods of cold weather when the feeder was in a location too exposed to the wind.

So help your birds stay loyal and warm by locating your feeders in a sheltered location out of the wind. The east or southeast side of a house or near a row of trees or evergreens is ideal.

By providing a properly sheltered foundational feeder, one that you keep filled at all times, you can help your birds with the crucial nutrition they need to survive the coldest months of the year. Recent research has shown that a consistent and reliable source of food helps birds to build body fat reserves, reduce their physiological stress and maintain a healthy body condition. 

Stop by our store for more expert advice and quality products that will help your birds to stay true blue and warm, too this winter.