I recommend doing something extra for the birds this coming year.
Maybe you are already filling bird feeders with seed. Perhaps you have put up some bird boxes for them to nest in, rent free.
Also, try this: plant some native shrubs with berries for them to eat.
Why native shrubs?
There are many reasons to plant native plants, but my favorite is to preserve wildlife. Native plants and animals co-evolved and are dependent on each other. Trees, shrubs, and perennials provide nuts, seeds, and berries for birds and other animals large and small. Birds, butterflies, bees, and ants pollinate flowers or distribute seeds.
Recent research at the University of Delaware done by Douglas Tallamy has proven that many insects prefer native plants. So, the more native plants there are, the more insects you have. Why is that good? In early spring nesting birds need insects to feed their young. Insects are birdfood. Now you want to plant some native shrubs with berries. Insects are bird food.
What do you plant?