Winter Bird Feeding: A New Mix and a Little Family Humor

Posted on by Ilze

Let’s talk bird feed! Usually, I buy sunflower seeds and fat balls from Janis’ parents’ vet shop to keep the birds fed throughout the winter. This time, I decided to try something a little different and ordered a big bag of mixed feed: oats, dried worms, seeds, and even some corn. I’m not sure if “my birds” will love it, but as Janis joked the other night, “Don’t worry. If birds don’t eat it. The kids will eat it with milk.”

Now, to really get the joke, you have to know that our girls absolutely love their cereal or oats with milk in the morning. They can munch through bowls of it all day long. So, when Janis made that comment, I couldn’t help but laugh. I’m sure the birds will get their share, but I have to admit, I think the girls might just eat it too…. if there wasn’t for yellowish dried worms in it 🙂

Ilze

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34 thoughts on “Winter Bird Feeding: A New Mix and a Little Family Humor”

  2. Good one, Ilze! I advise not eating with milk. 😂 It’s great that your helping our feathered friends through the cold months. Me too with the Hummingbird feeders in the backyard. I can’t feed seed because of the ridiculous Rock Pigeons here, they drive off the small birds that I want to feed, but they do use both birdbaths.

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      1. I’m sure that you would enjoy sitting in the backyard! The Hummers are very close and the 200mm lens can capture them easily, I should do this more often.

        These birds are here all year so the cold weather (cold for Las Vegas) apparently doesn’t bother them.

        I have two feeders, the sugar water mix is super easy to make so the birds always have a steady supply of food/energy that keeps their high metabolism going. ❤️

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          1. Really? Yes, our country is huge and has a huge population but it’s not that bad, Ilze. I am used to it apparently. You would not like driving in Las Vegas, the people drive way too fast, run red lights and can be rude which I despise. Life moves so fast here that it seems like people are in a hurry to get to their grave!

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            1. Oh no, just reading this raised my pulse! I absolutely love my countryside—you’d love it here. It’s the perfect place to relax… if you know how to just be in nature. 😊

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              1. Oh yes, Ilze. The property I sold in Michigan had ten acres and was mostly surrounded by field corn and soybeans. Deer in the front yard… I like it better here though because of the mild winter climate. Even when its cold, its nothing like Michigan’s bitter winters.

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                1. That sounds beautiful—ten acres surrounded by fields must have been so peaceful! I can imagine the deer in the front yard being such a magical sight. I totally get why you’d prefer a milder winter climate, though. Michigan winters sound intense – like winters in Latvia! Did you enjoy having so much wildlife around, or did it ever feel like too much to manage? 😊

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                  1. The animals were never a bother, the gray sky and long, bitter winters are why I don’t live up there anymore, Ilze. The constant gray and cold can bring you down.

                    My third ex (and final) was from Anaheim, California where it’s sunny most of the time. After several months she began feeling depressed.

                    The doctor put her on Vitamin D tabs which did help. We get Vitiman D from sunshine!

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                    5. I’ll take it once I’ve had time to read up on this new magical pill! I like to do some research and understand more before taking any medication—after all, pills will always be there when you need them. 😊

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                    7. It feels like we’re so far removed from truly listening to our bodies sometimes. It seems like in the USA, there’s a pill for everything, and it’s easy to just reach for one without thinking twice! It’s like we’re all conditioned to rely on meds instead of exploring other ways to heal or feel better.

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                    8. Wow Ilze, you are exactly on point. It is very easy to get medications here, just make an appointment with your favorite doctor and you are all set. The underground drug trade is there too which I find vile.

                      Add to that the cocaine, crystal meth and other deadly drugs that the Mexican cartels are sneaking across our southern border. Our border patrol is overwhelmed. America really does need that border wall, Ilze.

                      Meanwhile on our northern border with Canada, all is well. God bless Canada, I love our northern neighbors!

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                    9. Exactly, people turn to narcotics to numb themselves and avoid listening to what’s really going on inside. It’s often easier to silence those emotions than face them, but in the long run, it only keeps us from healing. It’s a tough cycle, and I think understanding the deeper reasons behind it is key to finding healthier ways to cope.

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  3. This is too cute! 🙂 Out here, I would love to feed the birds, but the Bears always come and grab their food. So, we’re told not to leave bird food or feeders out.
    Please let me know how they like this food with their milk! Maybe I’ll try it. lmfao. Totally joking of course – but love this! ❤

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    1. Bears! 😲 Where are you living? That sounds wild! I can’t imagine having to keep the bird food away from them. But I totally get the temptation to try it out with milk, haha! Glad you liked the idea! ❤

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  4. I love watching the birds that come to my feeder! I usually put out sunflower seeds. I used to make my own suet and the chickadees would land right on my hand while I put it out! I’ve tried a variety of suet blocks since I moved to town and for some reason the birds won’t touch them, not even the woodpeckers. I have a large feeder with wire cases on each end that hold suet blocks but since the deer got in the habit of knocking my feeder down and running off with the suet blocks I stopped putting it out. Was afraid they would break the feeder. Will be interesting to see how your birds like the oat mix 🙂

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    1. Wow, having chickadees land right on your hand sounds magical! They must have loved your homemade suet—sounds like it had the secret ingredient of extra care. 😊 It’s funny how picky birds can be with store-bought suet blocks, though. Maybe your homemade version spoiled them!

      And those deer—what cheeky thieves! I can’t believe they ran off with the suet blocks! I’d probably stop putting it out too if they kept breaking the feeder. They’re determined, that’s for sure.

      I’m curious to see how my birds take to the oat mix. Hopefully, it’s a hit and doesn’t just end up being “deer dessert” again! What kind of birds do you see most often at your feeder? Chickadees and woodpeckers sound like wonderful visitors!

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      1. All common birds since I moved from the country into town, but I love them all. My very favorites are the blue birds (Eastern) but they don’t feed at a feeder. It was them I had in mind for the homemade suet for their overwinter feeding since their beloved beetles are scarce in cold weather! I love the splashy red cardinals, the nuthatches, the finches, the mourning doves who sit quietly under the feeder and wait for crumbs to fall, and even the plain little wrens. The bossy blue jays who eat more than their share, lol. All are welcome at my feeder!

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        1. It sounds like your backyard is a bird paradise! I love that you appreciate them all—each one has its own charm. The Eastern Bluebirds are such a special sight, even if they don’t visit the feeder. It’s so thoughtful of you to make homemade suet for them, especially during the colder months when food can be scarce.

          And yes, the blue jays are definitely the cheeky ones who think they own the feeder! 😄 I bet the cardinals add such a vibrant splash of color, especially against the winter backdrop. It’s like a little bird party happening right outside your window! We don’t have these birds here in Latvia. Do you ever get a chance to photograph them, or do they tend to fly off before you can grab a shot?

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          1. The cardinals are such a welcome sight on a snowy winter day! They are actually Ohio’s state bird. We love them here 🙂 I used to get gorgeous photos of the birds (as you know, it requires great patience!) with my camera. It was just a simple little Cool Pics camera which was perfect for me, but over time it stopped working, as things do. Now all I have is my phone camera and I can’t zoom in enough to get good pictures. A new camera is definitely on my list, along with a better phone!

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            1. Cardinals really do brighten up a snowy day, don’t they? It’s so nice to know they’re Ohio’s state bird! It sounds like you had some great moments capturing those bird photos with your Cool Pics camera—patience really is key! I totally get the frustration with phone cameras. While they’re convenient, they definitely don’t compare when it comes to zooming in for those detailed shots. A new camera (and phone) sounds like a great plan! Hopefully, you’ll be back to snapping those beautiful bird pics soon!

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