Winter Bird Feeding Tips and Tricks for Northern Nevada

 

As winter settles over Northern Nevada, the weather can change drastically for the local wildlife. While some birds migrate to warmer climates or enter a state of torpor during the colder months, others brave the chilly season and rely on our help for survival. Winter bird feeding is not only a rewarding way to support local wildlife, but it also offers an opportunity to observe and learn about these fascinating creatures up close. Here are some tips and tricks to make your backyard a haven for winter birds.

Understanding Bird Activity in Winter

Northern Nevada’s avian population changes significantly during the colder months. Some species, such as robins and sparrows, migrate south to escape freezing temperatures. Others, like the dark-eyed junco, American goldfinch, and house finch, may stick around or even migrate into the area from higher elevations or colder northern regions. Birds like quail and chickadees remain year-round, adapting to the harsh environment with incredible resilience.

Knowing which birds frequent your area in winter can help you provide appropriate food and shelter. A good resource for identifying local species is the Nevada Bird Records Committee or online tools like eBird, which provide up-to-date information about local bird populations.

Tips for Winter Bird Feeding

Choose the Right Food

• Black-oil sunflower seeds: A favorite among many species, these seeds are rich in fat and energy.
• Suet: This high-energy food is ideal for woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees.
• Nyjer (thistle) seeds: Perfect for finches and other small songbirds.
• Peanuts: An excellent source of protein and fat, great for jays and woodpeckers.
• Mixed seeds: A variety of seeds can attract a diverse range of birds.

Provide Fresh Water Water sources can freeze in winter, making it difficult for birds to stay hydrated. A heated birdbath or placing warm water outside regularly can make a big difference.
Offer Shelter Birds need protection from the elements and predators. Planting native shrubs, maintaining brush piles, or providing roosting boxes can create a safe haven.
Keep Feeders Clean Dirty feeders can spread diseases among birds. Clean your feeders regularly with a mild soap solution and ensure they’re dry before refilling.
Be Consistent Birds quickly learn to rely on reliable food sources. If you start feeding, try to maintain the supply throughout the season.

Migration, Hibernation, and Winter Adaptations

While some birds migrate to escape Northern Nevada’s cold, others rely on fascinating adaptations to survive. Birds like the mountain chickadee can lower their body temperature at night to conserve energy, while quail huddle together to share warmth. Migration patterns can vary widely; for instance, some species travel thousands of miles, while others migrate locally to lower elevations where food is more abundant.

Creating a Bird-Friendly Yard Year-Round

Though winter feeding is vital, consider implementing bird-friendly practices year-round. Native plants provide natural food and shelter while reducing the need for supplemental feeding. Encourage biodiversity in your yard to support a healthy ecosystem for all wildlife.

Nevada Outdoor School's Elko Young Naturalist Club: A Wildlife Adventure

Nevada Outdoor School’s Young Naturalist Club is back and better than ever! This exciting program, designed for students in grades K-2 and 3-5, offers five interactive sessions centered around the theme Wildlife Detectives. The sessions take place at the beautiful Elko Peace Park, providing the perfect outdoor setting for young learners to explore and connect with nature.

Program Details:

Grades K-2: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Grades 3-5: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Each lesson in the Wildlife Detectives series is a unique opportunity for children to delve into the natural world, build their outdoor skills, and learn more about the incredible wildlife found in Nevada. 

Here’s a glimpse into the lessons:

Migration
In this engaging lesson, students discovered the incredible journeys animals take during migration and the obstacles they face, including power lines, pollution, predators, and traffic. Through a hands-on migration obstacle course, they experienced these challenges firsthand and explored how human actions like littering impact migration success. By emphasizing Leave No Trace (LNT) principles, the session inspired students to reduce waste and pick up trash in their communities, fostering stewardship for wildlife and their habitats.

Hibernation
This interactive lesson took students into the fascinating world of hibernation. They learned about Nevada’s native hibernating animals and their winter survival strategies, from stockpiling food to finding shelter. Discussions highlighted differences between hibernation, torpor, and brumation, while a fun relay race simulated the preparations animals make for winter. Students also explored how human activities can affect wildlife survival, reinforcing the importance of LNT principles to support healthy ecosystems.

Adaptations
In this dynamic session, students explored animal adaptations—the physical and behavioral traits that help animals thrive in their environments. Activities included matching animals to their adaptations, identifying suitable habitats, and playing movement-based games to reinforce the concepts. To conclude, students designed their own unique animals with randomly selected adaptations, creatively applying their newfound knowledge. By the end, participants could identify adaptations in various species and understand how these traits contribute to survival.

Tracks
Students became wildlife detectives in this lesson focused on animal tracks. They learned how to identify tracks, understand their significance, and discover the stories tracks tell about animal behavior and interactions. Hands-on activities included storytelling, plaster track observation, a matching game, and a choice between a "Prey and Hunter" game or a nature walk. By the end, students developed keen observation skills and a deeper appreciation for Nevada’s wildlife.

Skins & Skulls
In the final lesson, students explored the relationship between skull anatomy and diet by examining the characteristics of herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. Hands-on activities included examining their own teeth, studying animal skulls, matching animals to their diets, and crafting teeth from modeling clay to replicate dental structures. These activities highlighted how anatomy is adapted to dietary needs, leaving students with a solid understanding of the connections between skull features and eating habits.

Making an Impact

Throughout the five sessions, a total of 35 young naturalists participated in the program, increasing their time spent outdoors while gaining valuable knowledge about Nevada’s wildlife. Thanks to the generous support of the NV Energy Foundation, Nevada Outdoor School was able to provide these engaging and educational experiences to the Elko community.

The Young Naturalist Club is more than just a program—it’s an opportunity for children to build a lasting connection with the natural world, learn how to protect it, and develop a sense of environmental stewardship. Stay tuned for future themes and sessions as Nevada Outdoor School continues to inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts!

Winter Wildlife in Northern Nevada

Northern Nevada is a land of extremes, where harsh winters transform the landscape into a snow-covered wonderland. While many animals hibernate or migrate during the colder months, a surprising number of species thrive in the winter. From the rugged mountains to the high deserts, northern Nevada is home to resilient wildlife that adapts to the challenging winter conditions. Let's take a closer look at the fascinating animals you might encounter during winter in this unique region.

---

Mountain Lions and Coyotes: Masters of Survival

Mountain lions, or cougars, are elusive predators that can be found in the rugged terrain of northern Nevada, even in the winter. Though they are solitary animals, mountain lions are well-equipped to survive the cold with their thick fur and large territories. During the winter months, they rely on their keen hunting instincts, preying on deer, elk, and smaller mammals.

Coyotes, too, are a common sight in northern Nevada year-round. These highly adaptable animals are often seen hunting in packs during the winter, taking advantage of snow-covered terrain to track and hunt small mammals such as rabbits and rodents. Their ability to adjust their diet and hunting strategies makes them one of the most successful and enduring predators in the region.

---

Elk and Deer: Adapting to the Cold

Winter can be a tough time for ungulates like elk and deer, but these animals have remarkable adaptations that allow them to survive in freezing temperatures. Both species grow thick coats to insulate against the cold, and their hooves are perfectly designed to navigate snow-covered terrain. During the winter, elk and mule deer move to lower elevations in search of food, often grazing on grasses and shrubs that remain accessible despite the snow.

Elk are particularly social during the winter, often forming large herds for protection and warmth. Deer, on the other hand, tend to be more solitary but are also well-suited for the challenges of winter survival. Spotting these animals during the colder months can be a highlight of any winter hike in northern Nevada.

---

Bighorn Sheep: Navigating the High Mountains

Bighorn sheep are another iconic species in northern Nevada, especially in the mountainous areas. These strong and agile animals are perfectly adapted to steep, rocky cliffs and can often be seen scaling the sides of mountains even in the dead of winter. Their thick fur coats and hooves, designed for traction, allow them to thrive in harsh conditions. Bighorn sheep primarily feed on grasses, mosses, and lichens, which they find even in the snow-covered highlands. During the winter, they may be seen in small groups, often high in the mountains where they are safe from predators and can access food sources.

---

Birds of Prey: Aerial Hunters

Winter is an excellent time to spot birds of prey in northern Nevada. Species like red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, and golden eagles are often more visible as they hunt for small mammals, birds, and even carrion in the snowy landscape. These birds of prey rely on their exceptional eyesight and hunting skills to find food, and their keen ability to adapt to winter conditions makes them successful hunters.

Bald eagles, especially, can be found around rivers and lakes, where they hunt fish or scavenge from other predators. Golden eagles, on the other hand, often hunt on the ground, preying on smaller mammals such as rabbits and squirrels.

---

Small Mammals: Winter Warriors

While many mammals may go into hibernation during the winter months, others remain active, adapted to the cold with thick fur coats and the ability to find food even when it’s buried under snow. Animals like the snowshoe hare, the northern pocket gopher, and various rodents are often seen scurrying through the snow in search of food.

The snowshoe hare is a particularly remarkable species, as its fur changes color with the seasons, turning white in the winter to help it blend in with the snowy landscape. The northern pocket gopher, a burrowing animal, is well-equipped to survive the winter underground, where it can stay warm and access the plant material it needs to eat.

---

Winter wildlife in northern Nevada is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of nature. While some animals migrate or hibernate, many others continue to thrive in the colder months. If you venture into the winter wilderness, keep your eyes peeled and your senses alert. Whether you’re hiking in the mountains or walking through a snow-covered meadow, you may be lucky enough to encounter some of the incredible wildlife that calls northern Nevada home.

As always, when observing wildlife, respect their space and take care not to disturb their natural behaviors. Winter can be a challenging time, but for these animals, it’s just another season of survival in the wilds of northern Nevada.