Turn your backyard into a bird B&B with these helpful wintertime bird-feeding tips

We all know that neighbor that takes bird feeding to Olympic games-level extremes. With tree limbs sagging under the weight of countless feeders and a back lawn that looks like it was ripped straight from Augusta Country Club, they stand out on their back porch with arms outstretched as a myriad of birds swoop in to feed directly from their palms.

That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but you don’t need to be Snow White to attract backyard birds. Many species — including finches, chickadees, jays, nuthatches, sparrows, doves and more — may very well settle on your backyard bed and breakfast with a proper bird-feeding setup this winter.

Usually, feeding wild animals is not a smart move. Feeding birds, however, is a special case, since they don’t often become dependent on feeders alone, and instead use feeders to supplement their daily natural diet. Winter feeding also gives a little assistance to our feathered friends during the harsh, colder months.

Here are a few ways to spice up your bird-feeding buffet and enjoy an enchanting opportunity to observe wildlife right in your own backyard. Read more

Michigan is transforming into a winter wonderland, bringing thrilling opportunities for bird enthusiasts to more easily spot and hear owls. Each winter, our state becomes a temporary home for remarkable visitors from the Arctic tundra, such as the majestic snowy owl*. This northern species doesn’t visit us in great numbers every year, making its presence a rare treat for birders lucky enough to spot one.

Snowy owl populations fluctuate greatly each year, based on the availability of their summer prey: lemmings. When lemmings are plentiful, snowy owls can have a successful nesting season in the Arctic and produce a lot of healthy chicks. This boom in population can cause an “irruption” in the winter, when snowy owls are seen far outside of their usual winter range and in greater numbers. In past irruption years, snowy owls have been spotted in Florida and Hawaii! This year, there has been an early push of snowy owls south into Michigan and across the Great Lakes region, which is promising. Read more

Earlier this year, allowable use of Class 1 electric bicycles on state-managed, nonmotorized bicycle trails/pathways expanded following approval of a proposed DNR land use order.

As 2024 winds down, the DNR is looking to trail users to reflect on this land use order change and to share their thoughts on both riding e-bikes and interacting with e-bike users on state-managed trails.

The short e-bike survey will help the DNR gather public input on the land use order, which went into effect in August on state-managed trails with the exception of those located on state wildlife or state forest lands.

The approved DNR land use order?expanded operation of Class 1 e-bikes so that they are allowed on improved-surface trails such as linear trails (paved or gravel/asphalt) as well as natural-surface, nonmotorized bicycle trails/pathways in state parks and recreation areas and on state forest pathways and roads.

In addition, the change allowed – for mobility purposes – operation of Class 2 e-bikes, which are throttle- and pedal-assisted and can travel up to 20 miles per hour Read more

Winter is off to a snowy start, providing lots of opportunities to embrace the elements and take to the trails. It’s also a good time to remember ways to ensure your outdoor exploring is as safe and enjoyable as possible. Here are a few reminders before you head to your favorite pathway:

Snowmobiling

Buy your trail permit, check conditions. Michigan’s 6,000-plus miles of DNR-designated snowmobile trails, public roads and public lands (only where riding is authorized) are open Dec. 1-March 31, and trail grooming occurs when there is enough snow on the ground. Purchase your trail permit and find maps at Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling. Be sure to check trail reports and trail closures while planning your excursion, and follow Ride Right safety precautions, including staying on the right side of the trail.

ORV riding

Know where you can go. Off-road vehicle riding is allowed on all county roads that are open in the summer as well as all DNR-designated multiuse trails; note that ORV trails in the Upper Peninsula are marked by letters. Snowmobile-only trails, however, are closed to ORV use Dec. 1-March 31, and snowmobile trails are identified by numbers only on diamond-shaped signs.

In addition, highway rights-of-way are closed until May 1 and therefore are not open to ORVs. (These are areas where the trail runs on the side of state and U.S. highways allowing a trail to connect.) Always be aware of icy sections, especially on morning and evening rides, and ride in a manner that minimizes trail damage given that some trails’ terrain may be soft.

In-the-woods exploring

Wear blaze orange, practice trail etiquette. With the new extended late antlerless firearm season Jan. 2-12 in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula, as well as archery deer hunting season remaining open until Jan. 1, be sure to wear your blaze orange while on the trails. For more details on these seasons, see Michigan.gov/Deer.

Also know when to yield and how to interact with other trail users Read more

Being a wolf biologist requires various skills, including howling, endurance, identifying tracks, and braving cold toes. Wolf-carnivore management specialist Sarah Zielke has all these skill sets, which are essential for today’s fieldwork as we head to a wolf den looking for evidence of wolf pups. Learn more about how wolf specialists monitor Montana’s wolf population and discover what she encounters along the way in the latest episode of Field Trips.

You can learn more about FWP’s management of gray wolves at https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/wolf

Watch Video

In this episode of the award-winning “Wildtalk” podcast, we talk to wildlife biologist Pete Kailing about all things habitat in the southwest Lower Peninsula, fly away with a discussion about the great horned owl and wrap up the episode with a chat about the short-tailed weasel.

Don’t forget to participate in the wildlife quiz part of the show for a chance to win a “Wildtalk” podcast camp mug. The deadline for submission is Dec. 15, so don’t delay. These mugs are exclusive and not available for purchase, so be sure to listen and submit your answer via email to DNR-Wildlife@Michigan.gov with the subject line “Mug me.” Keep an ear out for the December episode, when we will announce the lucky winners.

You can be on the show

If you have a general question about wildlife or hunting, record a voice memo on your phone and email it to DNR-Wildlife@Michigan.gov, and we might play it on the air. Don’t worry if you make a mistake recording your audio. We’ll be sure to edit your voice memo to help you be as concise and articulate as possible with your question. Submitted questions are not guaranteed to end up on the show, but we’ll do our best to work in as many as we can.

Listen and Subscribe

By JOHN PEPIN
Deputy public information officer
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Earlier this week, along a snow-covered highway near the Schoolcraft-Luce County line, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Jason Ruth pulled his vehicle over to the side of the road.

DNR wildlife biologist Kristie Sitar had arrived there in her truck too.

Sometime over the past few days, a vehicle passing the area had struck and killed a white-tailed deer. Crows, ravens and at least one bald eagle had found the carcass and began scavenging meat from the roadkill.

At some point, when a vehicle or vehicles sped past, the adult eagle flushed from the carcass and tried to fly away – likely to a branch in a nearby tree where it could overlook the scene.

But the tremendous bird, with a wingspan of nearly 7 feet, couldn’t gain enough altitude on take-off before it too was struck by passing traffic and thrown down to the side of the road with the force of the impact. Read more

This weekend teams of birders will begin conducting the Christmas Bird Count, Audubon’s 125th early-winter bird census, with hundreds of individual area counts taking place on a selected day between December 14th to January 5th. Thousands of birders will participate in Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) across the United States and Canada, with volunteers identifying and counting the birds on their “count day” in their “count circle.” Birders of all skill levels get involved and everyone is welcome to join the excitement generated during CBCs held throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries.

To get started, contact the “Circle Compiler” for the CBC you wish to join ahead of time to get all the information about how to participate. Whatever skill level you are as a birder, you can be helpful and your participation will be rewarding. For example, if you are a beginning birder, the Compiler will pair you with an experienced birder who will help you become a better birder while participating in the Christmas Bird Count. Read more