Winter Wildlife

WINTER WILDLIFE SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU DO EACH MONTH

Small actions at the right time make the difference.

NOVEMBER: PREPARATION MONTH

□ Set up heated birdbath (test before freeze)

□ Fill feeders consistently (birds memorizing locations)

□ Build brush piles for shelter

□ Leave leaf litter and seed heads standing

□ Check for drafts in bat houses/nest boxes

□ Install roost boxes for small birds

DECEMBER: CRITICAL FOOD MONTH

□ Refill feeders every 2-3 days

□ Provide high-fat foods (suet, peanuts, black oil sunflower)

□ Check heated birdbath daily (ice = death)

□ Leave brush piles undisturbed

□ Scatter cracked corn on ground for ground feeders

□ Keep seed dry and fresh

JANUARY: DEEP COLD SURVIVAL

□ Never let feeders go empty

□ Provide extra suet (highest calories)

□ Check water source 2x daily (refreezing)

□ Add straw to outdoor cat shelters

□ Keep brush piles accessible (clear snow from entrance)

□ Do NOT disturb hibernating animals

FEBRUARY: STARVATION MONTH (hardest time)

□ Maintain feeders religiously (this is when birds die)

□ Check water constantly

□ High-fat foods critical

□ Watch for sick birds at feeders (remove if seen)

□ Clean feeders weekly minimum

□ Emergency feeding if deep snow covers ground food

MARCH: TRANSITION MONTH

□ Continue feeding until migrant birds leave

□ Clean feeders thoroughly (spring diseases)

□ Prepare for nesting season

□ Leave dead wood standing (cavity nesters need it)

□ Start planning native plant gardens

□ Install nest boxes by mid-March

CRITICAL DONT'S:

Don't start winter feeding then quit (birds depend on it)

Don't use salt/ice melt near wildlife water sources

Don't clear away ALL brush piles

Don't "clean up" garden until late March

Don't disturb hibernating animals

Don't let birdbaths freeze (dehydration kills)

EMERGENCY INTERVENTIONS:

DEEP SNOW (12+ inches):

- Scatter seed on cleared ground patches

- Provide suet and high-fat foods

- Check shelters (clear blocked entrances)

ICE STORM:

- Provide extra food (birds can't forage)

- Check water sources 3x daily

- Emergency heated water critical

EXTREME COLD (-10°F+):

- Double suet offerings

- Check roost boxes

- Provide wind-blocked feeding areas

One person doing this = 50+ animals survive winter.

One neighborhood doing this = hundreds survive.

#WinterWildlife #MonthlyGuide #WinterSurvival #BackyardHabitat