do birds use their nests in winter

Now is the time, before winter gets too serious, to do something for birds. And maybe for yourself too.

“One of the greatest benefits of feeding birds is that the homeowner can easily see what birds are using their land, and develop a greater appreciation of birds,” says Michael Ward, an assistant professor in the department of natural resources and environmental sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

So with that in mind, here are a few ideas to help birds withstand the winter weather — and maybe even provide some education and entertainment for the kids.

Hold off with the pruners. If you haven’t already cut back all your dead vegetation from the summer — don’t. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, those plants — particularly the tall ones that will poke above the snow — provide shelter for birds. Another idea is to create a brush pile to protect them. You can always tidy things up later — that’s why they call it “spring cleaning.” And looking ahead, Ward says landscaping a yard with native bushes and shrubs can make it a welcoming habitat for wintering birds. So plan next spring’s planting accordingly.

Repurpose your Christmas tree. Speaking of shelter, your Christmas tree can do double-duty till spring, providing protection as well as a food source. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension suggests placing the tree — stripped of decorations, lights and tinsel — on the south or east side of the house to afford cover from north and west winds. To secure it, put the stump in a hole or a bucket of wet sand, and tie a rope from the top to a building or nearby tree. Then redecorate the tree, but with strings of popcorn, cranberries or raisins. The UNL Extension also says to add apples, oranges, leftover breads and pine cones covered with peanut butter and then dipped in birdseed. For best results, push the edible ornaments well into the tree.

Coming home to roost. The Cornell Lab also suggests roost boxes. Birds will seek shelter in nesting boxes in the winter, resulting in overcrowded conditions (they’re used as nests only in spring and summer). Besides, these boxes are for nesting, not roosting. But a roost box can protect any birds that nest in boxes: bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches and small woodpeckers. A good roost box keeps the birds’ body heat contained and has interior perches, and can be placed on a metal pole or wooden post. They’re available in stores, or you can make your own. The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife offers roost box-building instructions.

Kid-friendly adventures. Encourage the kids’ involvement in setting up a bird feeder and choosing the best food (good information on seed choices is available at allaboutbirds.org/page.aspx?pid=1179.Get a reliable field guide (the Sibley field guides are good and have versions for different geographical locations) or free app (merlin.allaboutbirds.org) to identify the birds that use the feeder. Have the kids keep a journal and report their findings to feederwatch.org or ebird.org.

Avian superfoods. High-fat, high-energy foods such as suet and sunflower seeds are preferable in winter. On a cold night, chickadees lose 25 percent of their body weight. And be consistent in your feeding, putting out seeds or suet (or seed-studded suet balls) regularly. If the birds come to rely on you for a constant supply of food, and you close up shop when a storm hits, they might not survive. Once they know food is always available, they’ll keep coming back — not only in winter but year-round.

Water is key. Just as birds need food, they also need water during the coldest days. Spring for a bird-bath heater to keep water from freezing. There are many models to choose from; check your local independent garden center or big box store. And be sure to keep the bird bath clean.

Embrace the circle of life. Raptors — hawks and falcons — have become more evident in urban settings, as people have stopped harassing them and there is abundant food. If you feed birds, know that some of your feathered friends could end up as that food. No reason to be upset; they belong here, and they need to eat, too. “There is not much you can do to either increase or decrease hawks in your neighborhood,” says Ward, who also is an avian ecologist for the Illinois Natural History Survey. “As trees get mature and people continue to promote small birds, hawks will come. … (People) are concerned when a hawks eats a bird off of their feeder, but that is just a sign that the bird community is robust and not something to be particularly concerned about.”

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Repurpose your Christmas tree. Speaking of shelter, your Christmas tree can serve as both a source of food and protection until spring. To provide protection from north and west winds, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension advises positioning the tree on the south or east side of the house, devoid of ornaments, lights, and tinsel. Place the stump in a hole or a bucket of wet sand, and then fasten a rope from the top to a nearby tree or building to secure it. Next, redecorate the tree using popcorn, cranberries, or raisins instead of ornaments. Additionally, according to the UNL Extension, add apples, oranges, leftover bread, and pine cones that have been dipped in birdseed and coated in peanut butter. For optimal effects, firmly insert the edible decorations into the tree.

Now is the perfect time to help birds before winter gets too severe. And maybe for yourself too.

“A homeowner can easily observe what birds are using their land and gain a greater appreciation of birds by feeding them,” says Michael Ward, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences.

FAQ

Will birds use bird houses in the winter?

Bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, screech owls, swallows, cardinals, sparrows, jays, wrens, and woodpeckers will all use birdhouses or roost boxes to stay warm and out of inclement weather during winter. Especially for smaller birds, finding a safe, warm, and dry place to rest is critical during harsh winter weather.

Can I remove birds nest in winter?

Wait For the End of Nesting Season The best time to remove or relocate a nest is after nesting season is over. Most birds only nest once per year; however, some species will nest 4 to 5 times. The time varies with the species of bird.

Do birds reuse nests each year?

Most birds don’t reuse their old nests, no matter how clean they are.

Where do birds go on cold winter nights?

Roosting and cuddling Similar to people who may cuddle for warmth, small birds like tree swallows crowd together in shrubs, vines and evergreen trees to share body heat. They can also slow down their metabolic rate to conserve energy.