See How Martha Helps the Wild Birds on Her Farm During Winter

Despite winter's harsh conditions, plenty of wild birds still visit Martha's farm in Bedford, New York during the season. In a blog post, she details how she ensures these birds are nourished and well-cared for throughout winter.

She provides her avian visitors with essential nutrients by setting up a number of bird feeders around her farm. "All the birds love to come by and feast on the seed I provide," she writes. "I also set out fresh water and cut holes in the burlap covers over the boxwood, so birds are able to take shelter during inclement weather."

Martha places the feeders where they can be easily seen by birds, but where other animals, like squirrels and cats, can't reach them. During winter, Martha fills the feeders in the morning and rechecks them in the afternoon. "Once refilled, it doesn't take long before birds start arriving again," she says. She keeps the feeders in the same spots, noting that birds become accustomed to looking for food at the same times every day.

She opts for tube feeders, which she says are preferred by many birds. "Tube feeders attract small perching birds such as finches, goldfinches, titmice, and chickadees," she writes. "These tube feeders allow the seed to flow only when birds peck at it, which helps keep any spillage to a minimum."

The seed mix Martha uses includes white millet, black oil sunflower seeds, striped sunflower seeds, and cracked corn. During winter, Martha gives birds nyjer as well, which she says is a "great seed to offer birds, especially in winter because it contains more oil, and a higher calorie content, so birds can store fat to survive the season." She stores the bird seed in galvanized metal cans and keeps it inside her generator room.

When feeding birds, Martha suggests taking note of which seed is eaten most often. "And always discard any seed that has become wet, moldy or foul smelling," she says.

It may take time for new feeders to be discovered by birds, so be patient. "Don't be surprised if the feeding station doesn't get birds right away," she writes. "As long as feeders are clean and filled with fresh seed, the birds will find them."