Birdfeeders

These days many people suffer from depression and other illnesses related to stress. Doctors often tell us that we need to reduce stress levels or get on medication to control our anxiety. Unfortunately many people don’t have the luxury of health insurance to pay for expensive doctors visits. Instead, they must rely on their own creativity to deal with their stress-related illnesses.

Some experts believe that the soothing sounds of nature can combat the effects of stress. That means something as simple as sitting in your backyard and listening to the birds chirp may relieve stress. One good way to get birds into your yard is to install a bird feeder in your back yard. A feeder will attract the little birdies that will in turn sooth your frayed nerves and calm your crazed mind.

The best way to encourage bluebirds into your yard is to put up a bluebird house. Bluebirds are having trouble finding natural places to build a nest for they prefer holes in dead trees and wooden fence posts. These days dead trees are often taken out and metal fence posts have replaced wooden ones. Putting up a bluebird house will certainly help this problem, although bluebirds still have to compete with birds like tree swallows and house sparrows for these nest boxes. Bluebirds nest as early so March, but they start searching for an appropriate place to build a nest weeks earlier. Therefore, it is a good idea to have your bluebird house up by the beginning to middle of February.

Bird feeders that attach to your window with clear suction cups are a great invention. We have 3 window bird feeders on our kitchen window. You can certainly fill them with any kind of seed (not nyjer which is so small the wind will blow it away). We prefer to use hulled sunflower seed to avoid the mess from shells on our deck. It may take some time for the birds to have the nerve to approach, but in a short time you will have regular visits from many small birds such as chickadees, goldfinch, titmice, nuthatches and other small birds. They will even get use to you standing or sitting there watching them, but avoid quick movements and sudden loud noises.

Birdhouses are easily mounted on a pole or tree by driving heavy nails into the back board. In our area, we mount our birdhouses  with the entrance hole facing toward the east, for the wind and rain normally come from the west. This way, the weather doesn’t blow directly into the birdhouse. The other advantage of the entrance facing east is that the warm morning sun shines on the entrance. Be sure that the birdhouse is secure and cannot be tipped or knocked down by a strong wind or a climbing cat. Birdhouses can stay up all winter and may even offer temporary shelter during the cold winter months to a variety of creatures.

Even though we keep adding different kinds of feeders to our yard, I find the ones used constantly are the platform bird feeders. They are big enough to have many birds feeding at the same time and for me, they are the easiest to fill and keep clean. With a platform feeder in your yard, you can expect visits from bluebirds, finches, nuthatches, jays, chickadees, titmice and others as well. Actually, the only birds who will probably not visit a platform feeder are the ground feeders like quail and doves. Not only will the platform feeders be good for seed, but can also be used for fruit, bread, etc. Be sure to get a platform feeder with a wire screen bottom so it can quickly drain during rainy times. This will cut down on waste and avoid having moldy seed. Some platform feeders even have a roof to help keep out rain and snow.

We enjoy attractive, decorated bird houses, for they are pleasant additions to our yards. However, decorations are not what birds look for. When choosing bird houses for your yard, it doesn’t matter whether you pick plain or fancy, just be sure the bird houses are well constructed. Joints should fit snugly with no gaps for rain or wind to get in. If it has a hinged side, clean-up is very easy, but not really necessary. The roof should overhang the entrance hole so that rain can’t drip in on the vulnerable babies. Flimsy houses made of thin, cheap materials may crack or split which could be fatal to the tiny birds inside. It is always a good idea to spend a little more for bird houses that will last for many seasons. Buying bird houses made by a reputable manufacturer will insure quality and species specific measurements.

You certainly can find inexpensive bird feeders. The problem with them is that they don’t last. They are usually made of thin, flimsy wood must be thrown away after a year or two. A much better idea is to spend a little more and get a bird feeder that will last for years. One that is made of thick wood, quality plastic or metal or better yet, recycled plastic will give you years and years of service. The birds don’t care about construction, but feeders can be expensive, so get one that will last.

Before you begin buying bird houses, think about the needs of the birds and what species you want to attract. Plain, unpainted wooden bird houses are very appealing to birds for they look like the real thing: a hole in a tree. But attractive, decorated bird houses are fine too and look beautiful in your yard. They just may take a little longer to be occupied. Two or three basic sizes of bird houses will suit the needs of most visiting birds. Remember, it is the size of the entrance hole, not the size of the box, that determines what birds will use which bird houses. A box with a large hole will attract a variety of birds, but bird houses with small holes will allow only small birds access. A small entrance hole will keep out certain birds that you may not want to encourage. For example, house sparrows will nest in a box with an 1.5″ hole, but will not enter a 1.25″ hole. However, chickadees and wrens and will happily nest in boxes with holes measuring 1.25″ diameter or less.

If you are just getting started with feeding birds, platform bird feeders are a great way to begin. Birds find their food by sight of food and other birds feeding. An open tray is a great way to begin. Make sure your bird feeder has plenty of room for birds to eat without decorations getting in the way. Also, a raised edge offers a place to perch while dining. A platform feeder that will hold a few birds at a time is the best. As birds discover your platform feeders, it is a good idea to add hopper feeders which hold lots of seed and welcome many visitors between fillings. When you have birds approaching your large platform bird feeders and hopper bird feeders, it is great to supplement with whatever style and size you like.

12^th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count

February 13 – 16, 2009

COUNT FOR FUN! COUNT FOR THE FUTURE!

The twelfth annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is fast approaching–February 13 is less than a month away! Plan to join tens of thousands of other bird watchers across North America as we tally the birds over these four days. Count on your own or with family, friends, and neighbors to make this the biggest, best GBBC ever!

If you know someone who might be interested in joining the GBBC for the first time, please pass along our website: www.birdcount.org!

New and Updated Features

* Think you’ve got “Eagle Eyes”? As you countdown to GBBC weekend, test your bird watching skills through our interactive game.  Click here to play this year’s Eagle Eyes. Be sure to forward the link to a friend!

* Great prizes!  Everyone who submits a bird checklist during the GBBC is automatically entered in our drawing for bird-related items donated by Wild Birds Unlimited, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Droll Yankees. Visit http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/2009prizes to see the selection.

* GBBC events are taking place around the continent. Discover what’s going on in your area on the GBBC website’s Local Events page: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/events. If you’re hosting an event, email Pat Leonard at pel27@cornell.edu and we will post information.

* If you have young people at home, consider decorating a tree with treats for birds. Download a brochure with recipes for making feeders and treats for the birds from GBBC sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited: http://www.wbu.com/education/decorateatree.html