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Show December slated as ideal time for bird feeding December is the ideal time for Utahns to start a winter backyard bird feeding program. As the snow begins to fly and temperatures drop, natural food supplies diminish and many birds have a hard time finding enough food to maintain normal body temperatures, vital to their survival. Artificial bird feeding is an excellent supplement for natural food sources and will help eliminate hardships on birds through the winter Bob Walters, Utah Wildlife Resources nongame biologist, says "It is important to maintain a continuous winter feeding program because the birds come to depend partially on this food source. However, even during severe weather, birds are quite resourceful and not completely dependent on feeders." Bird feeding is largely unnecessary at other times of the year, because natural food supplies are usually plentiful. Walters also mentions that there is clanger in starting a winter feeding program too early because migratory birds may stay at the bird feeder instead of going south. Several different types of bird feeders stocked with various foods may attract a wide variety of birds. Grouse, quail, larks and many other songbirds may frequent ground feeders. Tabletop or window feeders are ideal for feeding chickadees, waxwings, grosbeaks and finches. Hanging or high post feeders : . may attract titmice, chickadees, ' nuthatches, finches and redpolls. Flickers, woodpeckers, sapsuckers, creepers and kinglets will prefer trunk feeders. These are only a few species which may appear at an outdoor bird feeder. Sunflower seeds and several types of millet will attract the widest variety of birds to a backyard feeder. Other attractive seeds are fine cracked corn, thistle, hemp and rape (a mustard-type seed). Cracked nuts, fruit, suet and bird cakes are also suitable for backyard bird feeders. Walter adds, "Grit, salt and water are required by birds throughout the year and should be available at backyard feeding stations. Fine gravel, egg shells, fireplace ashes and coarse sand may all be used as grit." Backyard feeders should be placed near a handy escape route from prowling cats. Evergreen trees provide the best protection against both animals and harsh winter weather. Recently the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has started "Project Bluebird," a program to place western and mountain bluebird nest boxes in some areas to help these declining species. Natural cavities in trees, the preferred habitat of bluebirds, are being eliminated by urban growth, particularly along the Wasatch Front. Walters encourages Utahns to build their own bluebird nest boxes. "This is the best time of year to build nest boxes or make repairs to existing nest boxes. In late February or early March, bluebirds will begin arriving |