Spring is Here Again
Its easy to understand why we feed birds through the winter, food is scarce and the wild birds need help to get through this harsh period.
When spring arrives with its warmer temperatures and spring growth many people think that the birds hard times are over and they can stop feeding them, but nothing could be further from the truth.

The wild birds come into spring with low body reserves after their hard winter but over the next couple of months they have lots of tasks ahead of them. They must stake out and lay claim to a breeding territory, undertake mating practices, build a bird nest and care for baby birds.
At this time their food sources are not as plentiful as you may think. Most grasses and plants will not seed until summer, fruit has not yet appeared on the trees, and the high protein insects that many birds rely on for a big part of their diet are still very scarce.
Although wild birds find it really hard at this time of year in a natural environment, they find it even harder in the towns and cities where the grass is kept short so there are no seed heads, concrete and buildings cover a large portion of the ground decreasing the area to find insects in, and native trees with berries and nectar are in short supply.

 As a backyard bird feeder you can help by not only feeding wild birds in the spring, but also supplying them with places and materials to nest, and raise their young. You will be rewarded with the chance to observe all the interesting behaviors and interactions between the wild birds Not only will you have the joy of watching wild birds, but you will be helping them with baby bird care and raising their young through the fledging stage.

If wild birds find a well-stocked and well-prepared backyard area, many will come and stay throughout the year.
 

Spring Feeding Ideas
The more home comforts you can provide for your backyard visitors, the greater number and variety you will attract.

• Provide More Feeders - To accommodate the extra numbers you will be catering for, it is a good idea to provide extra feeders. This  prevents overcrowding, which leads to bullying and the smaller, weaker birds not getting their share. Many birds can become very territorial at this time, and prevent other birds from using a feeder. Tuis are one of the main culprits.
   Less birds using a feeder will also help to prevent the spread of any sickness, and the spread of germs.
  By using different feeders you will be able to attract a wider range of species, as different birds are attracted to different feeders, and the food that is offered in them. 
  The ultimate feeder collection to have in your backyard would be a table or platform feeder, a seed feeder, a syrup feeder, and a suet feeder. This selection of feeders will attract and feed most NZ wild birds.
  
  Seed Bells and  Coconut Feeders are a fast, inexpensive way of providing feeders for the smaller birds over this busy period.
   

• Provide Water - In suburban areas it can only take a few dry days before the birds water sources disappear. Once the gutters and puddles dry up there are very few sources of water left. To attract and keep wild birds in your garden you must offer them a place where they can drink, and more importantly bathe to control their parasites. Keep the water fresh, remember that these are wild birds and they like their water and food fresh.
  The bird bath needs to be shallow, with sloping sides so that the birds can walk in to it, remember that in most urban areas the birds use puddles to drink from and bathe in so it doesn't have to be deep.
   

• Provide Moist Mulch - This is probably the easiest way of attracting wild birds to your backyard. By leaving a layer of leafy mulch under your shrubs and keeping it moist you will encourage worms. Many ground feeding wild birds will be attracted by the prospect of an easy meal.
   

• Nesting boxes will not only invite the birds to make a permanent home in you backyard but also provide shelter from those spring storms that are common in New Zealand.
  If you are worried about your, or your neighbours cat being able to get at the young birds then use a 50mm x 25mm batten to lift the nesting box out of reach.  Simply screw or nail one end to a fence post and attach the other end to the back of the box. We use this method to lift our boxes a metre above the fence.
   

• Provide Nesting Materials -Offering materials that birds can use to build nest is just one more way for you to attract more bird activity to your backyard. Unfortunately for urban wild birds, most of us are so house proud that there is very little nest building materials available in our yards.
  Most common backyard birds choose dried grasses in their nest construction. When mowing lawns, allow some of the cut grass to lay on the ground for the birds to pick up and use in their nest.
  Other useful materials include:

  • Twigs or sticks

  • Dead leaves

  • Grass clippings or dead grass

  • Yarn, string or thread

  • Human or pet hair (funnily enough birds particularly like cats hair)

  • Feathers

  • Moss or lichen

  • Pine needles

  • Spider web silk

  • Straw or other plant stems

  • Shredded paper

  • Cotton balls
    
    More information >>>>
     

• Clean Feeders - In spring with the increase in bird numbers using your feeders, and the warmer weather it is important to keep your feeders clean. The most obvious reason to clean bird feeders is to keep your backyard flock healthy. Having so many birds feeding in such a small area is an unusual occurrence in the wild and so wild birds have not developed a strong immunity to diseases.
  Dirty feeders can harbour mould and bacteria from spoiled seed, faeces or diseased birds that can easily be spread to other birds in the communal feeding area. Cleaning bird feeders is an easy way to avoid spreading diseases among birds.
  You should give your feeder a quick "dry clean" every time the feeders are refilled: scrape out any seed clumps, dump out dried faeces and shake out any excess debris before refilling the feeder. Wet cleanings or washings in appropriate disinfectants can be less frequent if you make sure your feeders are in good condition with every refill.