Cold Temps Mean Hungry Backyard Birds

Just as us warm-blooded animals do, birds convert food to energy to stay warm in winter.
Recent frigid temperatures and snow make it difficult for over wintering birds to find enough seeds and berries to supply their needs. NJ Audubon’s Nature Center of Cape May is having its final birdseed sale of the winter.
The deadline for ordering seed is Saturday, Jan. 23. Birdseed will be available for pick up at the center on Saturday, Feb. 6.
The nature center’s birdseed sales include a wide variety of freshly milled and packaged seed mixtures, Black-oil Sunflower Seeds, thistle seed (Nyjer), cracked corn, peanut pieces, safflower kernels and suet cakes. Suet is an especially high-energy food source in cold winter months, and woodpeckers love it! Black-oil Sunflower Seed is another great choice, as it has a high protein and fat content and is a seed that almost all birds will eat.
In keeping with NJ Audubon’s goal of becoming as “green” as possible, birdseed order forms are longer mailed. To order your seed, simply drop by the nature center at 1600 Delaware Ave., in Cape May, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. While you are there, pick up a 20% off coupon good for any one item in the nature store.
A wide selection of high quality bird feeders, including the Droll Yankee brand, and bird feeding supplies are available. You may also call: 609.898.8848, and the center will drop a birdseed sale brochure in the mail. Birdseed order forms are also available on NJ Audubon’s website at www.njaudubon.org. Click on “Bird Seed Sale Day” under “NJ Audubon Happenings” at the bottom of the page for the brochure and order form. The brochure includes a 20% off coupon good for one bird feeder or accessory.
Photo Caption 2: Northern Cardinals, White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos are common sites around area birdfeeders throughout the winter months. Be sure to spread seed on the ground for juncos, sparrows and Mourning Doves – birds that do not normally sit on feeders.