Bird feeding is a great way to enjoy the outdoors from the warm indoors during the winter. On any day it is so cheering to look outside, whether you are kept indoors by weather, age or infirmity, and watch all the activity at a feeding station. It is a pursuit that can be enjoyed by young and old, novice or experienced birder. For the most enjoyment, position your feeder where you can see it conveniently. If there isn't a tree branch handy, use a shepherd's hook in the ground, a clamping device on a deck rail or a hook screwed into the eaves right outside a window. There are even small suction cup feeders that attach to glass. The best way to start birding is with a platform or hopper feeder stocked with a no-waste mix like our Johnson's Gardener's Choice. Pick up a sample 1 lb. bag with the purchase of any bird feeder this month.

We've just received a large bird seed shipment so we should be stocked with whatever you need. Some good basic seeds and the birds that like them are:

Everyone wants to attract cardinals, but don't be too picky about what birds find your feeder at first; it takes a while for them to locate and get use to a new feeder. A second option is a tube feeder filled with our Choice Finch Mix. This mix contains niger (thistle) and small sunflower chips to lure woodpeckers, chickadees, wrens as well the the goldfinches and pine siskins.

Black Oil Sunflower - the single most popular seed - cardinals love it, so do finches, bluejays, chickadees, and squirrels
Gardener's Choice - a no-mess, no-waste mix appealing to all the above birds as well as sparrows and doves
Safflower - a good choice for cardinals, doves and song sparrows (squirrels and grackles don't like it)
Niger - gold finches, pine siskins, doesn't draw squirrel like the finch mixes if that's an issue
Peanuts (in shell) - blue jays go crazy for these, just put out a few as a special treat
Premium Wild Bird Mix - all pupose mix, the seeds will sprout under feeders in warmer weather
Suet - rendered beef fat for insect eating birds like woodpeckers. wrens, nuthatches

There are other specialty feeders and seed available as well as squirrel proof feeders and feeders just for squirrels. As you are setting up your feeding station don't forget water. An open source of thawed water will bring in as many birds as food in freezing weather; this can be accomplished by using a bird bath warmer. Shelter is also important so after Christmas recycle your Christmas tree as a brush pile for birds to roost in. Come by any of our three Johnsons locations and let us help you set up your own wildlife observation station.