It's time to get ready for winter birdfeeding. Now that birds are picking backyards and roadsides clean of nature's seed provisions, they soon will be needing our help to get through the winter season. In my yard, I like to provide a smorgasbord of delights for birds and poaching critters. For those of you who have not fed the birds before, getting started is not too difficult. Those who have been feeding birds for awhile may want to add something new to your offerings. So here is a short guide to providing food and water for the birds in your yard.

Most backyard birds are seed eaters. Birds that only eat insects or fruit will not usually come to your feeders. The basic seed to offer is black oil sunflower. It is a small solid black seed. There is striped sunflower seed (larger like what you might choose for snacking), but this is not as popular today. Sunflower seeds can be scattered on the ground, placed in a tray feeder, or filled in a tube feeder. There are many different feeders - wooden, metal and plastic - that accommodate these seeds.

A great seed for keeping squirrels at bay is safflower. Although there can be exceptions, squirrels usually do not like this white seed, which also is used for making cooking oil. Nyjer (sometime called thistle) is a tiny seed that requires a special feeder, one that has small slits functioning as ports or mesh socks. These feeders are sometimes upside-down feeders because goldfinches are the only birds that can perch and hang upside down to pick out seeds.

Blends of seeds are interesting because they attract a wide variety of birds. Stores frequently have their own mixes. As a consumer, look for mixes with no milo, little corn, and no oats. Also check that mixes are fresh. Seeds do go stale and can get bugs (although birds will eat the bugs too). Basic blends usually contain sunflower, millet, and safflower. There are also gourmet blends with the traditional seeds plus suet pellets, raisins, and nuts. Just be sure to avoid blends with lots of filler.

You may want to choose "less mess" or "no mess" alternatives to bulk birdseed. First, sunflower chips (hulled sunflower seeds) are like caviar to the birds. There will be little left on the ground. Another less mess blend is a mixture of millet, safflower, sunflower chips, and a dab of cracked corn. Tube feeders, squirrel proof-feeders, and wooden feeders can be filled with the blends. A no-mess feed I like to serve is shelled peanuts. These take a peanut feeder that looks like a cylinder of hardware cloth. Part of the appeal is the birds stay at the feeder longer to pick out the peanuts. These tasty morsels are packed with oils and proteins, and attract quite a variety of birds.

Other feed options for the backyard critters are corn, shelled or on the cob, and suet. Corn can be put in tray feeder or skewered on a nail. Many corn feeders are whimsical and call for the squirrels to open lids, flip on a paddle, bounce, or sit on a chair to eat. Suets come assorted, including fruit and nut, hot pepper to deter squirrels, seed and suet, and pure suet to name a few. Suet feeders are available as small cages or more elaborate designs for larger birds like the pileated woodpecker. The holidays usually bring a selection of seed wreaths and bells, a great gifts that get used rather than stashed away in a closet.

Water is the other part of a birds' diet and health that you can offer in your yard. Whether from birdbaths to ponds, birds enjoy a drink and a place to groom their feathers. There are heaters and heated birdbaths that will provide year-round water. Take a moment to survey your yard for where you can provide food and water for birds. Even one spot will be helpful. The Backyard Birds store is a ready resource to help you with information, feed, and feeders.