Submitted photo

Winter is a great season to work on improving the bird-friendly features of a yard. Among the things birds enjoy are dense foliage where they can find cover, fresh water and bird seed. Kevin Lair, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Bend, says the majority of the area’s seed-eating birds live in the area year-round and are easily attracted to a feeder full of seeds.

“It’s nice to have that activity of the birds around when otherwise it’s kind of dreary or bleak in the yard,” said Lair. Some of the birds Central Oregonians would be able to spot at a feeder include wren, house finch, mountain chickadee, pygmy nuthatch and the red- and white-breasted nuthatch.

In the winter, providing seeds with high oil content is great for providing lots of energy. Providing shelled seeds makes feeding easier for the small birds like finches.

Michael Ludeman, owner of Tumalo Garden Market, recommends a blend of raw shelled seeds. He sells one by Wild Delight called Deck, Porch n’ Patio, which contains small grains, peanuts and sunflowers seeds. “I also put suet cakes out in the winter and spring,” said Ludeman. The insect-eating birds go crazy for suet, which is made of rendered fat and kidney beef.

Lair recommends placing feeders wherever they can best be seen from a window. Ideally, the feeder will be positioned within 15 feet of a shrub or thicket of some kind. “Birds like to scope (everything) out, and they like a safe place to retreat to.” This is especially important to consider if there is a cat living nearby. “The way (cats) like to hunt is to hide and then pounce.”

In a sparse yard, a bird fence can provide the type of cover birds like. Ludeman builds bird fences for customers and has one outside his store in Tumalo. To build it, Ludeman first placed fence posts in the ground and then wove branches in between. “It’s made up of willow, dogwood, birch, sticks and branches. … It’s a gathering place for the birds.”

— Reporter: 541-383-0361, mgallagher@bendbulletin.com