February is National Bird Feeding Month – Who Knew?
So this morning I actually remembered to go out and feed the birds. I did feed them last week, after the storm, but I only shoveled a pathway to two of the feeders, today after the thaw I was able to get to all of them. I must have known something (not really) because this evening I discovered that February is National Bird Feeding Month in the United States. February officially proclaimed National Bird Feeding Month, when John Porter (R-IL) read a resolution into the Congressional Record. proclaiming it such, on February 23, 1994. From Wikipedia….
….This celebratory month was created to educate the public on the wild bird feeding and watching hobby. Because of National Bird Feeding Month, February has become the month most recognized with wild bird feeding promotions and activities The month is an ideal time for promoting and enjoying the bird feeding hobby, which is home-based and nature-oriented…. Read More
To learn more about bird-feeding you can check out the The National Bird-Feeding Society (NBFS)….which according to Wikipedia is
….an organization in the United States whose mission is to make the hobby of bird feeding better, both for people who feed wild birds and for the birds themselves.[1] To fulfill its mission, the NBFS conducts research and promotes education on wild bird feeding
Since its establishment in 1989, the NBFS has served as a resource for individuals to learn more about best bird feeding practices,[2][3] and to provide individuals with information on how to move the bird feeding hobby beyond the backyard.[4] The NBFS provides information on bird seed and bird feeder preferences, and provides bird feeding tips and a guide to better bird feeding Read More
You can also find out more about the society at their Facebook page. Here are some of the tips from the Wikipedia article….
The NBFS developed tips to enhance the bird feeding experience.[16] The tips include:
1) Place bird feeders in locations where they can readily be seen through a viewing window.
2) Start with a basic bird feeding set-up: tubular feeder filled with black-oil sunflower seed.
3) Add other types of bird seeds and feeders such as nyjer in a nyjer feeder, and hopper or platform feeders filled with black-oil sunflower, sunflower hearts, and whole peanuts.
4) Alternative foods such as suet, fruit, insects, and nectar, as well as water, may also attract additional species of birds.
5) Each season of the year, there may be a different suite of species visiting your yard. These bird species may have different bird food and feeder preferences.
6) In addition to bird seed and feeders, provide birds with habitat, water, and bird houses.
7) Keep your birds safe by protecting them from cats and bird-window collisions, and regularly clean your feeders.
8) To learn more about birds visiting your yard, use the tools of a birdwatcher: binoculars and a field guide.
9) There are birds you can’t see in your yard. To see these birds, take a trip to your local, state, and national parks and explore your natural areas.
So have a Happy National Bird Feeding Month now I have to remember to feed them daily!!! Maybe I should print out this picture, that my wife took and hanging it up, so that I can remember that these guys do need our help!!
