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Bird watching is enjoyed by people of all ages. One of the best things about having birdwatching as a hobby is that you can do it anywhere - including in your own backyard (or front yard!) Bird feeders and bird houses allow you to attract even more feathered friends to enjoy observing.
Go ahead and start planning for your houses and feeders now - even if it's winter time. It's possible you'll provide some food and shelter for birds that didn't fly south for the winter. Even if there are very few birds in your area now, you'll have your supplies on hand to attract birds to your yard as soon as they begin to migrate north again.
You can expect to see many different birds enjoying your houses. Some types to watch for are house finches, sparrows, starlings, bluebirds, wrens, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, purple martins, tree swallows, flycatchers, northern flickers, woodpeckers, owls, American kestrels, mergansers, buffleheads, goldeneyes, and if your bird house is big enough - wood ducks!
Here are some ideas to attract specific types:
A tube feeder filled with black oil sunflower seed will attract finches, sparrows, cardinals, jays, pine siskins, nuthatches, chickadees, titmouses, redpolls, and woodpeckers. Make sure there's a tray on your feeder so the birds can have easy access.
A thistle feeder filled with thistle seed will attract finches.
Tube feeders with peanuts attract many types of birds including jays, doves, cardinals, starlings, sparrows, chickadees, juncos, titmouses, grackles, and finches.
A hummingbird feeder filled with hummingbird nectar will bring the fast, flighty hummingbird to your yard!
Most birds prefer to find a tree or a birdhouse where they won't be bothered by other birds. There are some species that prefer the company of other birds. Check with your guide or with your local extension office to find out what kind of houses suit which birds best.
You may find that birds are picky about their houses. Some birds will hover for days before they decide a house is a good choice for them. If you have several types of bird houses, or even bird houses in several locations, it can help your bird friends settle sooner. Variety is key.
Sturdy wooden birdhouses are often best, though you can help create a birdhouse by clearing dead wood out of a stump or knot in a tree. Simple plans for bird houses can easily be found online, or your extension agent may offer plans suited to birds in your area.
Research to see what kind of nest materials the birds in your area like. You can place a few scraps into or nearby the bird houses so the birds will have nest materials directly available. Birds like things such as wool roving, string, ribbon, and hair.
Try and find a design for your bird houses and bird feeders that is at least somewhat squirrel deterrent. Otherwise, you'll find that the squirrels enjoy your 24 hour buffet more than the birds do!
Put up some bird feeders and some bird houses and you'll find that you quickly gain feathered friends. Sit back and enjoy watching your own little corner of nature flourish.
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