November Checklist on Wednesday, November 19, 2008

In November, it's time to .......

* Offer millet in an open tray feeder for sparrows, juncos, towhees and Varied Thrushes. 
* Don’t forget black oil sunflower seed, the closest thing to a universally-loved food!
* Provide suet for the high energy requirements brought on by cold weather. 
* Round out your food offering with other favorites like nyjer for Pine Siskins and goldfinches, and peanut pieces for chickadees and nuthatches.
* Try mealworms, a special treat for chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and others.
* Don’t forget your birdbath!  The dry seeds that birds eat in winter make water attractive.
* Clean out old nesting material and disinfect your birdhouses so they can be used in inclement weather (use 90% water, 10% household chlorine bleach). 
Birds may accept nest boxes as a substitute for the natural tree holes that provide shelter and allow them to share body heat. 
* Consider a Roosting Box, a specialized nest box with perches designed to help backyard birds to stay warm and dry.