I’ve written before that Monica, and I were never bird watcher until we put up feeders outside our kitchen window. That first year, we didn’t know if there would be that many birds come winter. Let me tell you, it seems like there are more in the snowy months then summer. Now, it’s not only relaxing seeing different birds as we sit at the kitchen table having our morning coffee, but I found myself searching for information on the feather friends that we are viewing.

This coming winter supposedly or let’s say (it could be) colder with above normal amount of snow. So, depending on who’s weather predictions you can believe from the Farmers (old & new) Almanac, Weather Channel or others, it could or could not be a good winter for the birds that stay in the Northwoods during this time. No matter what mother nature has in store for us, I’m pretty sure the birds calling Northern Wisconsin home year-round do not look forward to a harsh winter.

There are over 20 species of Wisconsin birds that do not migrate south and depending on how severe our winter is, it’s possible some live to see spring. Think about those young birds that were in a nest just a few months ago and have never experienced cold weather or snow. But birds do have a few defenses against the cold weather.

We will never notice this process, but birds naturally molt (shed summer feathers for winter plumage), but when this process is completed, you WILL notice their appearance has changed. These new winter feathers are darker to absorb sunlight for added warmth, and they now have what is called DOWN FEATHERS under their new dark top (flight) feathers. If you see a bird shivering, you might think they are chilled to the bone, but they are doing this to generate heat. Even though they have these defenses, food and shelter can be hard to find in the winter.

Even though there are over 20 birds that spend the winter here, the majority of the birds you will see during the winter in the Northwoods, besides Blue Jays, are Dark Eyed Junco, Common Redpoll Finch, White Breasted Nuthatch, House Sparrow, Red Breasted Nuthatch and the Black Capped Chickadee. Have you ever thought how these small, feathered birds survive our winters?

The Black-Capped Chickadees (PICTURED) is the most common winter bird you will see during the winter for example. This bird stores food kind of like squirrels before winter and somehow remember where they stashed food. Chickadees also will locate and spend cold snowy nights in crevices of trees, but not all birds are that smart.

Late fall, most of their diet is dwindling and need food and shelter to survive winter. That being said, if you placed bird feeders up during the spring and summer, please keep them up and filled, because these birds who have visited your feeders on a regular basis know where this reliable food source is.

If you never had a bird feeder and would like to see the different species, I strongly suggest buying a small bird feeder and hang it by a window where you can see them and you might be surprised how relaxing it can be. If you decide to do so, there are different types of feeders with TUBE & SUET feeders being the best. I have found the bird feeders with a cover over the top work well to keep the seed dry.

Another way to assist birds in the winter is adding a heated birdbath near the feeders. YES, birds need water as much as food during the winter. These heated bird baths are not as expensive as one might think. There are so many models under $40 that work really well. Just stick them in the ground, plug into an outdoor outlet and fill with water.

For under $125, a person can buy a couple of bird feeders and a heated birdbath to help the birds that don’t vacation down south in the winter. So, for less than a dinner for two at a supper club, you can help birds survive the winter and at the same time, enjoy seeing them outside your kitchen window while sipping your morning coffee.