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Birding/Watering Birds in Winter

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 12/10/2010


Question
I live in Illinois where temperatures are almost always 20 degrees or below.  In the past I feed birds when ground is covered with ice or snow which is a lot of the time.  I had planned this year to buy a heated birdbath or at least put a heater in one of mine.  I just read on a forum from someone from Minnesota that birds should never use heated watereres with temps below 20.  They said they will get wet and then freeze or get stuck to something.

I had thought about the solar covers but heard they didn't work well.  What would you suggest?  The nearest pond or lake to my house is about 1/4 mile so don't know what to do about the watering--don't want to endanger them.

Thanks a lot.

Answer
They do need water even in freezing weather. I asked for opinions from our 146 member Bluebird group. Many use them without problems. In most cases the birds only drink rather than bathing. I would use them. And if you don't have my free no obligation 20 page Bluebird book send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net.

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Bluebird Bob Walshaw

Expertise

I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.

Experience

I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.

Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance

Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World

Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.

Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.

Past/Present Clients
Many

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