Preparations for Winter, Part One

So it's late November, and you're thinking of attracting birds during the cold winter days.  What do you need to do?  First, now is the time to get those feeders up if they're not already in place.  The birds will need a few days to a few weeks to discover your feeders and imprint them on their mental map of resources.  I think my first ever feeders took three weeks to be found.  Second, put out at least the two critical foodstuffs: black oil sunflower seed and suet.  These two together will hold up nicely and attract the widest variety of birds.  You can certainly put out other things, but unless you're comfortable with experimentation, stick to the tried and true.  And lastly, make sure the feeders are close enough to cover (tree branches, say) but not next to anyplace a cat can use as an ambush location.  You're set!  sit back and wait for the results that will certainly come!