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Backyard
Birds
by Marvin
Schwilling
WHAT
DO YOU NEED TO GO BIRDING?
One of the most important items needed is a book that identifies
the birds that may be seen. There are many excellent bird
identification guides to be found in bookstores.
The
next step is to obtain a pair of binoculars. In general,
you should choose a magnification of no less than 6X and
no more than 10X with 7X or 8X being the most popular among
experienced birders. Cost and quality varies greatly and
only you can determine your needs and budget.
Most
avid birders are in the habit of carrying a small notebook
or checklist to keep a record of birds seen on a particular
trip or day. Many also keep specific area lists, backyard
lists, daily lists, yearly lists, etc.
BIRDING
NEAR HOME
Many birders began their interest watching birds in their
backyards or near their homes. Much can be done to attract
birds to these areas.
BIRD
FEEDERS
Bird feeders are an excellent way to increase the number
and variety of birds near your home. Some birds are very
colorful, some are sassy and others have charming personalities.
They can be attracted to feeders where a continuous food
source is provided.
A feeding
program can be initiated at any time during the year; however,
the best time is in the fall before birds have settled down
in their chose winter territories and have fixed their habits
of searching for food over about the same courses each day.
When a feeding station is begun at this time, it will attract
many wintering species that will become regular visitors.
Select
an area in good view form a window close to shrubbery and
evergreens that can afford good escape cover.
It is
best to begin a new feeding station with a simple open tray
about 12 inches wide, 18 inches long and one or two inches
deep. Be sure to provide drainage to prevent rain or snow
water from standing in the tray. Set it on a post at least
four and one-half feet above the ground.
House
sparrows or house finches usually find the feeder first
and their feeding activity leads cardinals, chickadees,
juncos and other species to the feeder. As birds become
accustomed to feeding in your yard, the feeder should be
roofed over or replaced with sheltered feeders.
Feeders
may be stationary or hanging and a big assortment is available.
Some are designed for specific foods, such as thistle feeders
for finches, sunflower seeds for cardinals, chickadees,
and titmice, suet feeders for woodpeckers and nectar feeders
for hummingbirds and orioles.
Perhaps
the best mix of feed for the cost is a mixture of millet,
milo and sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds should make up
at least 15 percent of the mix. Woodpeckers, and some other
species, are best attracted by beef suet put out in special
suet feeders or bags. Chickadees and brown creepers like
peanut butter, but be sure to add corn meal or suet to peanut
butter to prevent them from choking.
It is
best to maintain a feed supply year around (except for the
nectar feeder) to keep the birds coming to your yard. You
will then have the pleasure of seeing parent birds bring
their young to the feeders.
WATER
Birds
have a critical need for water to both drink and bathe.
This can be provided with a simple bird bath or a backyard
pool. A pool large enough to support a few small goldfish
is best since the fish will prevent mosquito production
in the water. A water drip or waterfall is especially attractive
to bird life.
NESTING
SITES
To
increase the opportunity for various bird species nesting
near your yard, the key is landscape diversity and nesting
boxes. Each species has different nest site boxes. Each
species has different nest site requirements. Some are ground
nesters, other nest in shrubs and thickets, and still others
nest high in large trees. The addition of manmade nest boxes
attracts nesting birds such as wrens, chickadees, purple
martins, titmice and others.
FLOWERS
AND SHRUBS
Hummingbirds
are among the most prized of all backyard wildlife. They
too are surprisingly easy to attract. Choose annual flowers
and perennial flowers, shrubs, and trees that provide a
source of nectar and you will have hummingbirds. Many shrubs
and trees also produce seed crops used by many species of
birds.
PLANNING
AND PLANTING BACKYARD HABITAT FOR BIRDS
To
attract the greatest diversity of wild birds, it is necessary
to provide a diverse habitat. Most yards are too open, mostly
tall trees and short grass. To this we need to add plants
that bear fruit, seeds, nuts and other foods used by birds.
Also plant shrubbery with branching, low growth that is
ideal for escape cover and nesting.
Create
a layered effect with large trees, small trees, shrubs and
herbaceous plants. Open areas surrounded by layered planning
is most attractive to bird life.
Maximize
habitat edges where different types of plantings meet. This
can be where a flower bed and shrub row meet or where a
shrub row adjoins taller trees. These habitat edges are
heavily used by birds. Include evergreen trees and shrubs
as they provide critical winter shelter for resident species.
Next:
Some common backyard birds
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