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A Quick Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Bird Watching
By PAShopGirl | June 24, 2008
Bird watching is an age-old pastime, especially during the spring and fall months. What makes this hobby so popular is that it requires little equipment, easily enhances your appreciation of your own backyard, and provides a rewarding quiet moment in the morning.
The best way to ensure that there are plenty of birds to watch is to guarantee that there is a steady food supply. Bird houses and feeders are the perfect way to do this and there are many attractive options to choose from. Platform bird feeders are simple, made as a platform to be either hung from a hook or perched atop a post. The birdseed is poured onto the platform and left for the birds to consume. This allows plenty of open air for the bird watcher to view the feeding and the birds interacting. Another popular option is the tube bird feeders. These feeders are typically clear vertical tubes filled with small holes and perches on the sides or bottom or both which are meant to be hung. This allows several birds to perch and feed from the side or bottom, allowing for greater viewing of individual birds. Depending on the native wildlife, squirrel proof bird feeders might be a good idea otherwise squirrels or larger birds like grackles or starlings will steal the birdseed. Don’t forget the favored standard of backyard feeders, the Droll Yankees hummingbird feeders which will attract these small and interesting birds to the backyard daily.
Bird houses, on the other hand, are very specific to the kind of bird you wish to attract. The right kind of bird house will allow the birds to build nests inside of the houses to protect themselves and their young from predators and the elements. If the birds do this in your yard, your window of opportunity to view the mating and nesting processes is increased significantly.
Once the food supply is steady and the nests are established, birds will come regularly to your yard. Early morning is usually the best time to observe the birds as they are on the hunt for food at this hour. After spending time feeding, they will leave the area unless there is more to attract their attention. Hanging bird baths hung around the yard will keep the birds in the vicinity longer as they need to bathe regularly to maintain their feathers. They will fluff and dip themselves in the water to clean their feathers, then fly to another area to dry and further groom themselves.
Combining all of the yard preparations with diligence, patience and a good set of binoculars will make a successful bird watching experience in which you don’t even have to leave your home. Make it a hobby and it will create a deeper appreciation of the wildlife that still exists, yes, even in your own backyard.
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