There are many things you can do this winter to help the birds.
As you perform your fall cleanup, try to leave some areas that will provide shelter and food. This might mean leaving those seed heads from your summer-flowering perennials, such as black-eyed Susan and coneflowers. Even allowing grasses to remain intact until spring will help. Clean up the majority of fall leaves, and remove all leaves under any plants with diseases such as black spot. Remember, you can allow a thin layer of healthy debris to remain in your flowerbeds until you are ready to mulch next year. Smaller leaves or shredded large ones will benefit the plants and provide places for the birds to find food.
You may be pleasantly surprised at the variety of birds you’ll attract to your yard.
