Bird Watching for the Whole Family

Birding is perhaps the greatest pursuit available to a citizen of the modern world. It’s basically a lifelong scavenger hunt played across the entire earth. And it’s free!

Do a backyard bird count: help scientists learn more about bird populations. On a pretty day, sit outside for 15 minutes and record all the birds you see. If you can’t make it outside, you can look through your window and record your findings. Put your data into ebird.org, and contribute to data collection to help scientists. Anyone can take part in a backyard bird count, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate from your backyard.

SETTING UP YOUR OWN BACKYARD FEEDER:

Bird feeding stations may be as simple as seeds placed on the ground, but different birds have different feeding habits. Rather than buying mixes, you can spend your money more effectively since most larger birds are highly attracted to black oil sunflower seeds. Orioles, summer residents in our area, may be attracted by a fruit feeding station and hummingbirds to a special feeder filled with sugar water. Suet or animal fat attracts insect-eating birds like woodpeckers year around.