Getting Ready For Winter in Maine

 

October 15, 2015

 

 

I heard on the news this evening that snow was possible for Saturday, you know what that means...it's time to get the car ready, make sure your tires are good,  windshield wipers are good,  put a small shovel and some kitty litter in the trunk.  The kitty litter has gotten me out of some slick spots and has added some weight to my car, sometimes needed when travelling alone.  

 

Everyone should own a pair of fleece lined pants, and long johns, wear both at the same time, and you might survive a few minutes!

 

Always keep a blanket in the car, an extra pair of gloves, hat and warm socks.  If stuck in a traffic jam, as I was last year, 70 car pile up, you need these things to stay warm.  The car cannot run the whole time that you are stuck, unless you have a gas can, and who travels to work with one?  

 

Don't just think about yourself, remember the birds, they are cold and trying to survive too!  If you just did the following it would help them greatly!

 

Increase the number of seed feeders - remove sugar water and jelly feeders when summer birds have migrated south and do not fill the seed feeders completely, best to leave them pretty empty and fill often, otherwise the seeds get wet and yucky from the moisture, and if you have hopper style feeders, even better (simply means a roof / hopper ).

 

clean out all birdhouses - use soap and water to remove parasites and insects; leave at least one house out for winter roosting.

 

collect fall clippings - to create brush piles that will protect ground birds and other wildlife in winter.

 

Don't worry about birds freezing their feathers. they know not to bathe in freezing weather.

 

protect bird food - by storing and securing it in waterproof garbage cans. Make sure  lids are secure to keep out raccoons and squirrels.