# Cold Weather in the Backyard: Helping Birds and Wildlife Through Winter

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-backyard-naturalists-4262914/cold-weather-in-the-backyard-helping-birds-and-wildlife-through-winter
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-backyard-naturalists-4262914/cold-weather-in-the-backyard-helping-birds-and-wildlife-through-winter.md
Podcast: [The Backyard Naturalists](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-backyard-naturalists-4262914)
Published: 2026-01-31T11:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://thebackyardnaturalists.libsyn.com/cold-weather-in-the-backyard-helping-birds-and-wildlife-through-winter
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/thebackyardnaturalists/BYN_S5E16_-_Winter_in_Your_Backyard_Mixdown_1.mp3?dest-id=3015305
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-backyard-naturalists-4262914/episodes/cold-weather-in-the-backyard-helping-birds-and-wildlife-through-winter
Duration seconds: 2303

## Resource

Winter weather in the Carolinas doesn't come around often, but when it does, it gets everyone talking, including the birds. In this episode, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris share firsthand stories from a week of ice, cold, and wildly overhyped forecasts, then turn their attention to what really matters: how winter weather impacts the wildlife right outside your door. From birds flocking to feeders ahead of a storm to the surprising importance of fresh water, even in freezing temperatures, this conversation is packed with practical, backyard-ready insights. You'll learn what birds are looking for during cold snaps, why high-energy foods like suet and sunflower seeds matter, how to safely manage bird baths in winter, and what not to use on icy sidewalks if you care about wildlife (and pets). The trio also looks ahead to late winter and early spring prep, nesting season is closer than you think! Along the way, there's plenty of humor, Southern storytelling, and encouragement to leave your yard a little wild for the animals that depend on it. Whether you're dealing with snow, ice, or just a chilly morning, this episode is a reminder that small actions in your backyard can make a big difference for birds and other wildlife all winter long.

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## Transcript

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