Feed the Birds!

Seed cakes and suet are perhaps the ultimate low-hassle way to feed the birds. Made of compacted seed blends, seed cakes offer the same benefits as loose seed, but last much longer! Some varieties even include mealworms, fruit, and bark butter as an extra treat for any birds in town this winter.

Suet on the other hand, is the perfect food to help birds gain fat and bulk up for our chilly days ahead. Suet is comprised of rendered animal fat and often mixed with fruit or nuts, perfect for attracting anything from woodpeckers to chickadees and beyond. Better yet, suet is offered in both no-melt and melt-able varieties (no-melt being optimal for warm weather, and melt-able best for cool days), this helps to keep the lovely doughy texture year round, and eliminate melting or freezing of the suet.

For best placement of suet and seed cakes, aim for a weather safe area (consider a weather guard or a feeder with a roof) to avoid food falling apart or spoiling. Suet may also benefit from a shaded location, as sunlight speeds up melting significantly. If animals are a concern, suet is offered with hot pepper, perfect for the birds, not so pleasant for squirrels and rodents. Be sure to store all leftover bird food in a cool, sealed container like a garage or freezer to extend the shelf life and protect it from pests.

Want to attract more species than ever? Consider bark butter! A softer version of suet, bark butter can fit in the same feeders as suet or seed cakes (or as bits for traditional feeders), or be spread on tree branches, transforming any branch into a bird feeder. With such versatility and amazing flavor, it’s no wonder that it attracts 161 species and counting.

Remember, the more food and water options your birds have this winter, the happier they’ll be (humans too, of course). With just a couple suet and seed cakes, your yard can easily become a food haven for birds this season. Visit Moana Nursery’s Wild Birds Unlimited for 40% off suet, seed cakes, and bark butter all November!

Bird Food

At Wild Birds Unlimited, we take pride in providing seed that is specifically designed to minimize waste and maximize the enjoyment of bird feeding. Our seed blends are carefully formulated to be completely consumed by birds, leaving no unwanted fillers behind. This means that every seed in the bag serves a purpose and is eagerly consumed by our feathered friends.

Bird Food

Bird Feeders

Our selection of feeders combines functionality with aesthetic appeal, ensuring that you not only provide a reliable feeding station for birds but also enhance the visual charm of your outdoor space. We understand the importance of providing bird feeding products that are built to last. With our feeders, you can have confidence in their longevity and performance, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of bird feeding for years to come.

Bird Feeders

Feederscaping

Experience the ultimate in personalized birding advice with a Feederscape Consultation from Moana Nursery. Feeders, seed selection, water sources, and plant materials all play a part in attracting different species to your yard. Our knowledgeable Bird Experts will visit your property and offer tailored recommendations to transform your yard into a haven for a diverse array of birds.

Feederscaping

What is a Backyard Habitat?

In order to support birds and wildlife in your backyard, it’s essential to fulfill their four fundamental needs: food, water, shelter, and a suitable environment for raising their young. By creating a thriving habitat for these creatures, you’ll not only enhance their well-being but also contribute to the overall health of your garden.

At Moana Nursery, our team includes a Certified Bird Feeding Specialist who is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your backyard habitat goals. They are knowledgeable and passionate about providing advice and guidance to help you create a healthy and sustainable habitat for birds and wildlife.

Whether you need recommendations on selecting the right bird feeders, food options, water features, or creating optimal shelter through the strategic use of plants and landscape design, our Certified Bird Feeding Specialist is here to support you. We can help you make informed decisions and provide assistance tailored to your specific goals and the unique characteristics of your backyard.

The Benefits of “Feederscaping”

When you intentionally design and plant your yard with habitat in mind, you have the remarkable opportunity to create a sanctuary not just for birds and wildlife, but for yourself as well. By considering the needs of these creatures and incorporating elements that support their well-being, you can establish a harmonious environment that fosters a deeper connection with nature.

As you embark on the journey of habitat-focused yard design, think about the diverse range of plants, trees, and shrubs that can provide food and shelter for birds and wildlife. Incorporate native species that are well-suited to your region, as they often offer the most beneficial resources for local fauna. Create a variety of habitats, such as dense foliage for nesting, flowering plants for pollinators, and water features for hydration and bathing.

By consciously creating a refuge for birds and wildlife, you’ll also find yourself immersed in a tranquil and captivating space. The sights and sounds of chirping birds, buzzing bees, and fluttering butterflies can bring a sense of peace and joy to your daily life. Observing the natural rhythms and interactions within your yard can be a source of wonder and inspiration.

Remember, designing your yard with habitat in mind is a journey of discovery and stewardship. Embrace the opportunity to coexist with nature, nurture biodiversity, and cultivate a refuge that benefits both the wildlife and your own well-being.

The 4 Elements of Creating a Backyard Habitat

Food for Wildlife

The ideal wildlife habitat supplies food naturally through the plants that are living there. Diverse plantings can provide resources for many varieties of birds and other wildlife throughout the seasons. Trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials, and the acorns, nuts, berries, seeds, buds, fruit, nectar, and pollen they produce will sustain a variety of different species.

Water

Birds and wildlife need water. A reliable source of water is essential to birds for both drinking and bathing, as keeping their plumage clean and preened is important for their health and gives them an advantage in evading predators. Water can be supplied in a birdbath, a small pool, a recirculating waterfall, a shallow dish, or with a dripper or mister. Supplying freshwater is one of the most certain ways of attracting birds and wildlife to your landscape.

Cover + Shelter

Birds need protective cover just as people need the shelter of a house. Cover can be provided in many forms, and the same plants that offer food can also provide cover. A variety of layers, from treetops, to dense shrubs, evergreens, and brush piles, combined with more open spaces containing grasses and perennials, allows both shelter and potential vantage sites to spot predators. Hollow logs, rock piles, and stonewalls can provide habitat for additional wildlife, and increase the diversity you see in your yard.

Places to Raise Young

A more specific kind of cover where birds and animals can reproduce is needed to complete a backyard habitat. These areas provide space for courtship and for protecting young animals, whether they’re birds in a nest, tadpoles in a shallow pool, or specific plants upon which butterfly caterpillars depend. For cavity-nesting birds or those who will use a roost, providing a good quality nesting box with adequate insulation and ventilation can ensure that generations of birds will call your yard home and that your backyard is a refuge for all to enjoy.

Backyard Birding Tips

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