The Rural Voice, 2000-01, Page 29everything with flexibility."
Shelter:Even with the best food
birds may not stay in the area
because there is not good shelter for
them to act as a windbreak and
protection from predators. However,
some birds such as gold finches and
red poles will eat in open areas that
do not have shelter.
Mostly all evergreen trees are
a good source of shelter for
birds. Cedars especially are
a good source because, when the
snow makes a coating on the tree, the
warmth comes from the ground
underneath while the birds huddle
together inside. Spirea trees and
brush piles also provide protection
and lodging for the birds, said
Bennett.
An idea to keep in mind after
Christmas is to prop your tree outside
after you are done with it to give the
birds some extra shelter, said Dunbar.
It gets very well used.
Water: Although bathing birds in
winter might seem like a cold
proposition, the truth of the matter is
our friends in flight are waterproof
and need a bath to keep their feathers
clean. With clean feathers they are
able to preen themselves and create
an insulative layer of air against their
body. Water is also needed to drink.
"When we have those extra cold
nights and you see little songbirds
and chickadees that look three times
the size that they are it is because
they are literally lifting up their
feathers," said Dunbar. People do the
same thing when the hairs on their
arms will stand on end to provide an
insulative layer when a person is
cold.
Despite the rewards of increased
varieties and numbers of birds, many
active birders dismiss the idea of
keeping an open area of water in the
wintertime as too complex. But,
Dunbar said, it's easier than ever to
keep birdbaths free of snow and ice
with heated birdbaths and heaters.
Energy efficient models rest on the
side of the bath and shut off at 4C
or when the dish is dry. Even at 4C
the water will 'be warmer than the
ambient air temperature.
Feeding and watching birds is
rewarding to the person feeding as
much as to the birds, birders say.
"There's no reason we can't enjoy
this as much as the birds enjoyeating
it," said Dunbar.0
Z
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OUNO SQ6
Marvin L. Smith
B.Sc.F. (Forestry), R.P.F.
Farm Woodland Specialist
765 John St. West
Listowel, Ontario N4W 1B6
Telephone: (519) 291-2236
Providing advice and assistance with:
• impartial advice/assistance in selling timber,
including selection of trees and marking
• reforestation of erodible or idle land
• follow-up tending of young plantations
• windbreak planning and establishment
• woodlot management planning
• diagnosis of insect and disease problems
• conducting educational programs in woodlot
management
• any other woodland or tree concerns
ATTENTION FARMERS
We specialize in Agricultural Buildings.
We build all types and all sizes of Agricultural
Buildings to suit your needs.
If you are thinking about building - CALL US
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Clifford 519-327-8840 Mildmay 519-367-2922
JANUARY 200u .‘2;