Ideas For Your Backyard

Whether you hang birdhouses or birdfeeders or both really is just your preferences.  Birdhouses will offer shelter from the heat, cold, wind and rain, while the birdfeeders will feed them.  If your goal is to learn more about the birds that frequent your premises I would advise that you hang both.  You also might consider planting trees, bushes and a variety of plants that will specifically lure the birds in.

Did you know that all birds do not hibernate? So what do they do?  They still need food and shelter.  And for the most part they do it on their own, and they don’t need our help.  But what if  we have an unusual winter?  The snow is deep and the ground is covered.  I’m sure the birds will be grateful for a full birdfeeder, and it won’t matter whether it is a decorative feeder or a unique feeder.

Wow what do you think of this?  I’m not much for cold weather, and I do love watching the birds.  I love things that are different and I think this unique birdfeeder might offer a near perfect experience while I sit in the comfort of my home.

 2-way mirror lets you watch feeding birds up-close, but they can’t see you! Designed to sit inside the house, this feeder is easy to install with our unique dove-tailed, sliding side panels. Simply place the feeder on the windowsill and slide the panels out to fit the window. Easy to fill and clean from inside your home. Fits most double hung windows from 26 in to 36 in wide. Made in the USA of plantation grown Mahogany

  Birds are hungry.   We all know by now that birds can survive without our help, but feeding them does help us both.  Some ornithologists have even suggested that bird feeding is more beneficial to humans than it is to the birds. Studies have shown that birds with access to bird feeders in winter survive at a higher rate than birds without access to feeders. Feeding birds in winter is a good thing for the birds.  If you live where there is winter weather , a blast of wind and  snowy weather will mean making an extra effort to keep the feeders going for the birds. 

Here are some ideas to help you prepare your feeding station for the worst of weather.  Be prepared to have plenty of seed, suet and peanut butter on hand. You might place some dried grass or wood shavings in the bottom of your wood birdhouses.  You could even cover the vent holes with some weather stripping (the birds won’t need this source of air in the winter).  Some birds are ground feeders, so you’ll want to be sure there is an area that is clear of snow so you can sprinkle seeds on the ground.

 WOW!!   I’ve seen so many flocks of birds lately.  It is a sure sign that the weather is beginning to cool down and winter is around the corner.  The birds are heading south.

 I’ve placed some wooden birdhouses and feeders around, so that when they need to stop to eat or rest there’ll be plenty for them.  Are you prepared?

With the onset of the cooler temperatures, we have been “cleaning up” our yard and flower beds.  One of the things we do when pulling our sunflowers is to cut the dried head and place them in  hanging bird feeders.  When we have the giant sunflowers we often will leave the head on something high….perhaps the swing or picnic table.  The birds will have fun cleaning out the seeds.

The birds are beginning to plan for winter.  Are you?  Birds have already begun to scout for food sources for the winter.  As they flit about, they’re watching for food, watch and shelter.  When the cold weather begins, they will know exactly where to go, so now is the time to make sure that you have bird feeders are ful.  And be sure to keep them filled, as they will come to depend on this source once they have begun to  use it. 

This is also a good time for you to prepare lodging (if you haven’t already done so) for them.

Tropical birds, which live on fruit all winter, are attracted to oranges and fruit jelly when they venture north. Place a bit of jelly, cut up fruit or even sugar water recessed cup, of this functional bird feeder and watch the fruit loving birds flock to it. Also, add a half an apple or orange to the skewer to attract orioles. Cup can also serve as a meal worm feeder to attract bluebirds.

With the warmer weather, I’m in seventh heaven. I love having all the song birds in the backyard, and I love hearing them sing! You too can hear this symphony by encourageing these songbirds to visit, nest and feed in your backyard. It is so easy to encourage most birds. You probably already have trees, shrubs and flowers, now put up a birdhouse/birdfeeder and some food, and you’ll be listening to a beautiful song or two also. Photo compliments of John and Carol Hollinsworth/USFWS