Feeding birds? Don’t just wing it

Feed Lexington birds

When you have guests, you feed them. It’s only polite. | Joe Myers via Wikimedia Commons

Our local skies house everything from warblers to titmice. Now how can you invite them to your garden?

Feed them, of course. Late winter to early spring is a crucial time for birdfeeders, as natural food sources may be depleted. Let’s fly through some need-to-knows to keep you popular with local birds.

🪶 Feeder types

There are three basic types of feeders: seed, suet, and nectar.

Seed feeders are the most versatile. Black-oil sunflower seeds appeal to the greatest number of birds, according to the Audubon Guide to Bird Feeding. They’ve also got homemade recipes that everyone will be chirping about.
Suet (or beef fat) is a high-energy treat for bug eaters, and you can make a DIY feeder from an onion bag. Be warned: Warmer weather turns suet cakes rancid, which keeps birds away.
Nectar feeders give hummingbirds and orioles a sweet treat. Opt for a low-capacity feeder to make sure you’re cleaning it regularly.

Browse Wild Birds Unlimited to get a feel for the different types. Then, mix and match to make your home the flock of the town.

🪶 The perfect setup

You want to give songbirds an easy meal — not squirrels, cats, or birds of prey — so set up the perfect perch.

The magic numbers for a feeder pole are 30 feet from any windows and 10 feet from cover, particularly native plant cover. In fact, you can even spruce up your garden with bird-friendly plants.

🪶 Maintenance

Monitoring your feeders is key to keeping the local ecosystem healthy. Clean seed feeders every two weeks, and keep an eye out after rain.

Keep tabs with the Central Kentucky Audubon Society. Call the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources and take down your feeders if something seems amiss.

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Wednesday, Feb. 22

Classic Films: “Akeelah and the Bee” | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 2-4 p.m. | Beaumont Branch, 3080 Fieldstone Way, Lexington | Free | Enjoy popcorn and a showing of “Akeelah and the Bee” followed by a group discussion.
5 Across February 2023 Entrepreneur Pitch Competition - Awesome Inc | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 5-7 p.m. | The Mane on Main, 201 E. Main St. #1500, Lexington | $5 | Celebrate entrepreneurship in Lexington as five local startups will pitch “Shark Tank” style for up to $5,500 in investments.

Thursday, Feb. 23

Everything is Science | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 6-8 p.m. | Old North Bar at Greyline Station, 101 W. Loudon Ave., Lexington | Free | This interactive citywide science festival connects people to various topics in a fun and approachable way.

Friday, Feb. 24

Hailey Whitters | Friday, Feb. 24 | 8 p.m. | The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd., Lexington | $15 | See the country music star perform with Stephen Wilson.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

76º | Windy | 23% chance of rain

Concert

Where do we go now? To Rupp Arena to see Guns N’ Roses, of course. The classic rockers will take the stage on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Pre-sale begins today and general admission tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m.

Travel

Feeling lucky? Allegiant has announced new non-stop flights from Bluegrass Airport to Las Vegas beginning June 15. Tickets start at $69 for a one-way trip. (LEX18)

Drink

Calling all caffeine lovers. Lexington Coffee Week will return Sunday, May 7-Saturday, May 13. Keep your eyes peeled for the full menu of specialty drinks from 18 local favorite coffee shops — coming soon.

Eat

Crank & Boom has opened pre-orders for its newest flavor in the Small Batch Club — hot honey ice cream. Two dollars from each order will benefit Arbor Youth Services. Pre-orders end this Friday, Feb. 24.

Lexingtonian

Congrats are in order for Antoinette Johnson, winner of “America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation.” Using her love for Southern flare, Antoinette bested 10 other contestants to win $10,000, a cookbook deal, and is now the newest face of the cooking show. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Plan Ahead

The 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event will return to the Kentucky Horse Park Rolex Stadium from Thursday, April 27-Sunday, April 30. Interested in seeing some excellent equine action? Tickets are on sale now.

Job

Looking for a new job in 2023? Browse openings in retail, manufacturing, health and wellness, tech, and more — all at Kroger. *

Shop

What we’re eyeing: Zulily’s sneaker shop and some fresh kicks for spring. Shop street styles from Nike, versatile New Balance picks, or fashionable Tory Burch sneakers all on sale now. 👟*

Listen

Calling all bibliophiles. Level up your reading routine with an Audible Membership. Why we love it: we can listen to our favorite books and discover new titles while doing everyday tasks like commuting, walking the dog, cooking, and cleaning. Sign up for your first 30 days free. 📚*

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Celebrating Joe Bologna’s 50th birthday

Celebrating Joe Bologna’s 50th anniversary

Joe Bologna's sits in the former Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church.

Stained glass windows make for a unique experience at Joe Bologna’s | Photo courtesy of Joe Bologna’s

Happy early birthday, Joe B’s.

Joe Bologna’s Pizzeria and Restaurant is turning 50 on March 1, and this Lexington staple has aged like a fine wine.

A breadstick from this fan-favorite restaurant is almost a rite of passage. — and as holy of an experience as the environment. In case you didn’t know, its home is the former First Presbyterian Church of Lexington.

So, how did the iconic Lexington restaurant come to be? Let’s break it down.

🍕1973: Joe Bologna opens his first restaurant at the corner of Maxwell and Limestone (now Ginger Wasabi Sushi + Grill).
🍕1979: Joe B’s battles a fire that would force it to close for 10 days.
🍕1989: Joe Bologna’s moves across the street to its current home at 120 W. Maxwell St.

Hungry? Join Joe and the crew to celebrate this milestone with food, brews, and raffles from Wednesday, March 1 to Tuesday, March 7.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Dayten.

Editor’s pick: When you wake up Thursday morning and find that we’re not in your inbox, no need to sound the alarms. We’re hitting the pause button for a day, but we’ll be back bright and early on Friday, Feb. 24 at 6 a.m.

In the meantime, remember that you never have to enjoy your cup of coffee sans LEXtoday. You can always browse some of our greatest hits on our website or follow us on Facebook and Instagram, where we post every day about what’s going on around Lexington.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Learn about the $82 million renovation of Memorial Coliseum, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Molly Thompson, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Marin Fiske | Advertise with us.

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