Wildlife in your backyard
By Kim Lyman, Central Communications

Did you know the variety of birds you could find just in your backyard? When you begin to feed wild birds, you'll notice a difference. The more quality and variety of a seed mix you feed, the more birds you will attract. Fall is a great time to start feeding birds, as they're migrating and you'll also have some who will stop by and recognize your place for life.

Black oil sunflower seed is a popular seed which attracts all kinds of birds. It's good to feed in the fall and winter months because it keeps the birds fat and fed. In the spring, migrating birds come back to our area and they enjoy the seed too. A variety of seed mixes are available that cater to certain species or types of birds, depending on what you'd like to see. Once the birds know you'll be feeding them, they'll come back almost daily for more.

Suet is a great high-energy treat. There are many varieties of this available, often mixed with peanut butter, cherry, or dabbled with seed. Blue jays and woodpeckers really seem to appreciate this treat, and they'll even hang upside down to get at it in the suet feeders.

In the late spring and summer, hummingbirds visit our area. Unlike their cousins, they eat strictly nectar, and a variety of beautiful feeders are available to set up to attract them. The nectar is sold in bottles, and it's easy to feed- simply pour into the feeder and the hummingbirds will do the rest of the work. If you're in a pinch, you can also make your own hummingbird nectar- four parts water to one part sugar. Orioles also like a nectar mix and are summer visitors- fruits like oranges are a great treat for them.

Birds such as robins and bluebirds enjoy mealworms, and also during the nesting season are a great help for parents out looking for food for their hatchlings. You can buy live mealworms by the container, or if you prefer to be less adventurous, there's also freeze dried available.

Feeding birds is a great hobby that can become a lifetime one, and you'll enjoy how many types of birds you'll see in your own backyard.