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If you want to add a new bird feeder in your backyard, it’s not necessary to drive to the store and spend a lot of money for one. You actually can construct a feeder at your home. It’s simple and quick, and you won’t need that many supplies for it either.
What you’ll want to begin with is a simple one gallon milk jug. Of course, wash it out thoroughly first to make certain there isn’t any leftover residue from the milk inside. Allow it to dry, and once it is dry, then place the cap on the jug and stand it up where you’re going to work in.
On both sides of the handle, cut holes that are approximately 3 inches in diameter. The holes should be fairly high on the jug to ensure the bird seed will not spill out of the container when you are ready to use it.
Below the large holes, you can use a nail to punch a little hole, in which you can insert dowels. The dowels are where the birds can come and perch to eat the food. Just be sure that the perch sticks out a couple inches on each side so birds may easily perch.
Use the nail once more to punch holes in the milk jug neck. Do this an inch or so under the cap of the milk container. Then you will take some wire and run it through the pockets, twisting it together on top. This is what you are going to use to hang up the bird feeder.
Now you are finished making your basic bird feeder. All you need to do is fill it up with some birdseed. Take it outside and use the wire ends to suspend it from a tree or some other type of support in the yard. If you want to attract many different birds, opt for black oil sunflower seeds with your new bird feeder.
Tagged: Bird Feeder Plans, Bird Feeders , bird feeder, Bird Feeders //
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If you are serious about bird watching, you may want to purchase some bird watching scopes and tripods. They can make it more exciting to watch birds, since you’ll be able to see birds closely without having to physically get close to the birds. This allows you to watch them in their natural habitats without accidentally scaring them away. When you are ready to buy these scopes, here are a few of the features that can be very useful to you as you pursue bird watching.
One great feature to look for in bird watching scopes is a wide field of view. As you increase the magnification, the field of view is going to decrease. However, if you go with a scope that is a bit more expensive, you may be able to find options that provide wider field of view even at higher magnifications.
Another great feature you’ll want on your scope is waterproofing. More than likely, it won’t always be sunny when you go out to watch the birds. Waterproofing will help you keep your scope safe, even if you are out in fog or rain trying to see birds.
You’ll also want a bird watching scope that is fairly light. Since you’ll probably be carrying it with you when you go out on hikes looking for birds, you don’t want something too heavy. Low weight will be a very important feature.
High eye relief is yet another feature to look for. This happens to be the distance between your eye and the eyepiece. Those who have glasses will find a high eye relief of 15-20 mm more comfortable, since it is difficult to get your eye close to the lens when you have glasses on.
These are just a few of the great features to look for as you are choosing bird watching scopes and tripods. A few other options include low minimum focus distance, eye pieces that are removable, lenses that are fog proof, and threads for objective lens filters. As you go with the best features, you’ll find that you get the most out of your bird watching scope.
Tagged: Bird Watching Binoculars , bird watching, bird watching binoculars //
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Resurgence in the interest of bird watching prompted one community to start a new Bird House Hobby Club. All ages are welcome to join, and other communities are encouraged to start their own Hobby Club that builds different types of bird houses for the various feathered friends that are present in their area. The idea was formulated when local boys had asked one of the avid bird watchers in town to help them build bird houses. It started as a weekend project and turned into a community project.
Bird hunting turned to bird watching for several young boys who watched as a family of Mourning Doves built their nest, sat on their eggs and hatched out three babies. The boys wanted to build the bird houses to provide shelter for the family of birds in bad weather. They didn’t understand that once the nest is built, the parents will most often stick to their original home, but other pairs of birds would be attracted. Once the boys learned this, they were really enthusiastic about building different sizes so a wide variety of birds would start nesting.
As a way to create an interest in the hobby of building bird houses, several community members offered cash prizes for the best built and decorated bird houses. The contest was on and scheduled to be judged at the county fair. The variety and size of the bird houses went from very simple designs to exquisitely creative elaborate condos for Purple Martins. Interest mounted as the judges from one of the local bird conservatories judged the houses. Finally winners were selected, given their cash prizes, and the bird houses were taken to habitat areas and erected.
Here are some of the things that these hobbyists learned along the way of building their perfect bird houses:
- Decide what type of bird you want to be landlord for. Many species are very picky about the houses they live in and raise their families in. The sizes of the house and the location of the hole they enter from is another thing that some birds are very particular about. Do your research about the type of bird you want to attract and provide them with the ideal house and they will most likely move right on in.
- Be sure that the bird house you provide you feathered occupants has entrances that meet their preferences. This is how many birds keep predators from snatching their eggs or eating their babies.
- Provide nesting materials such as fabric, straw, yarn and string for the birds to use to build a nest with. Placing this material close by where you want the birds to build their nest will encourage them to choose your site.
The communities that have started their own clubs have seen a return of some species of birds that they have not seen for many years. As natural habitats disappear, birds have become dependent on humans providing housing for them. This type of cooperation with nature can preserve fast disappearing species and allow future generations to hear the songs of the birds that we grew up with. Start your bird house hobby club in your community and help keep the birds serenading us with their sweet songs.
Tagged: Bird Houses //
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One of the upsides to a down economy is that families are looking for activities that don’t cost a lot and that family members of all ages can participate in. Building bird houses is a wonderful rainy day weekend project that will bring joy to the family in many ways. Many of our fine feathered friends have lost their natural habitats for one reason or another. These feathered friends are dependent on man-made bird houses in order to survive because so much of their natural habitat has been removed.
A little research will let you know the sizes and other details you will need to know in order to build different sized bird houses for different species of birds. There are many kits available that include all the materials needed to build certain types of bird houses. Using bird house kits is the simplest way to get this project rolling. A kit makes it possible for you to spend more time helping younger members of the family with their part of the project rather than cutting the wood that will be needed for construction.
Most species of birds do not like nesting close to others of their own species. They are quite territorial. The exception to this rule is the Purple Martin. Purple Martins do like apartment living arrangements and feel safer with others of their own species to help fight off predators. So if your kit is a multi-nesting box, this is one you will want to use to attract Purple Martins. Bluebirds, robins and wrens all like the single nest box and will be very happy campers if each bird house is a little different in color and style.
If you are trying to attract the smaller species of birds, you will want to install squirrel guards on the pole of the bird houses. This will prevent squirrels from helping themselves to whatever the birds take to their nest. Each species of bird likes a different type of bird seed, though the generic bird seed sold commercially is usually a mixture that will attract song birds.
Once the kits are built and mounted in secure places, the birds will come by to check out the new accommodations. If there are readily available nesting materials, food and water sources and plenty of protection from predators, your back yard will soon be host to a choir singing straight from the heart, the birds who decided your accommodations suit them just fine.
By building several different sized bird houses, several species of birds will take a look to see if this is the ideal spot to raise their family. As long as you have the room to place the bird houses at least forty to sixty feet apart, you will see an amazing array of fine feathered friends that have come to roost in your yard.
Involving your family in the endeavor of building bird houses teaches many skill sets. The birds are benefited by the helping hand from man. Children learn to respect the creatures of nature when they have a helping hand in creating homes and nesting sites to perpetuate the species.
Tagged: Bird House Plans, Bird Houses , bird house plans, bird houses, homemade bird houses //
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Although it is possible to purchase some wild food such as wild bird seed to encourage birds to show up in your back yard, another option you have is to actually make your own bird food. It’s really easy to make a tasty treat for the birds, and it allows you to help give the birds some variation in their diet, since they shouldn’t be surviving on seeds alone anyway. Here is a look at a simple recipe that will allow you to make plenty of wild bird food on your own.
What You’ll Need
First, you need to gather all of the ingredients that you are going to need to make this wild bird food. You’ll need rolled oats, and you should not try to substitute this with instant oats. You’ll also need some peanuts, some commercial wild bird food mix, some sunflower seeds, and some dried fruit. Some dried fruit options to include are cranberries or raisins, although almost any dried fruit will be fine to put in the mix of food.
Making the Food
Now that you have all the ingredients together, you can begin making the fed. Put all the ingredients in a large bowl. Mix the ingredients together well so everything is mixed up and evenly distributed throughout the mix. It won’t matter how much of each ingredient you end up using. Just remember to put more oats in the mix than you do nuts or fruit.
Once you have made the wild bird food, you are ready to put it outside. You can put it out on the ground or if you have a bird feeder, put the food inside the feeder for the birds to find. Once you begin putting this feed out for the birds, you’ll be able to enjoy many different types of birds in your yard, since the feed will attract them. For just the few dollars you pay for the ingredients, you can add the color, beauty, and sound of birds to your life.
Tagged: Bird Food Selection , Bird Feeders, bird seed, bird watching, wild bird food //
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Many people often start with a hopper feeder when bird feeding. This is because these bird feeders are simple to fill, and hold a great amount of seed. They can either be hung from a shepherd’s crook, under the eaves of your home, or from a tree. In addition, they can be mounted from deck rail, post, fence, or wall.
A hopper style feeder is one that uses gravity to fill up the seed as it is eaten, while the food is held in a box like container. Usually, any type of seed can be placed in hoppers. Some of the very small varieties of seeds may be too small however.
Since birds, like humans, have their favorite foods, they will often kick away the ones they don’t like, searching for their favorites. You can help catch these discarded seeds by having something under the hopper to catch them.
Hopper bird feeders can feed a large amount of birds in unison, and many species find this sort of feeder attractive. These are birds like the grosbeaks, jays, cardinals, woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, sparrows, and finches. Since there is usually a great deal of spillage from this type of feeder, other birds are often attracted to what falls to the ground. These birds are juncos, mourning doves, towhees, and different sparrow species.
There are many different shapes and sizes of hoppers you can purchase. There are ones that are square, round, look like chalets, partially enclosed, dome topped, or steel framed. Usually, you can see the level of seed through the transparent sides. They also usually have a substantial covering, so that the food is protected from the weather until which time it is consumed.
Since hopper bird feeders will attract many different types of birds, if you want to attract only certain birds, you may want to consider a different feeder type.
Have you feeder in an easily viewed location, keep it clean and filled with seed, and you will get great enjoyment watching to see who comes to visit your yard.
Tagged: Bird Feeders , bird feeder, Bird Feeders, bird watching //
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If you are looking for bird watching binoculars, you’ll quickly find that you have many options to choose from. Figuring out which pair of binoculars to choose can quickly become a difficult task. However, there are three key things that you need to keep in mind that will help you make sure you purchase the right bird watching binoculars.
Key #1 – Binocular Power
The first key to look at when you are trying to buy the perfect bird watching binoculars is the binocular power. While you may be tempted to go with the binoculars with the most power, this is a big mistake. Usually it is best to go with options that are between 7-10 in power. If you go above 10 power, you’ll find that it’s tough to hold them still and your field of view becomes very narrow too.
Key #2 – Binocular Aperture
Binocular aperture is another key to keep in mind as you look at the many binoculars available for bird watching. The aperture is basically where the light actually enters your binoculars. When looking at binoculars, you’ll find that this is the second number. For example, if you have 7 x 50 binoculars, 50 is the aperture. Usually it is best to go with an aperture between 30-50, although compact binoculars often only have numbers between 20-25. The more light you have coming into the binoculars, the bright the image of the birds will be when you are viewing them.
Key #3 – Binocular Eye Relief
Last, you’ll find that binocular eye relief is also going to be a key thing to consider when buying these birding binoculars. This number is going to be particularly important for people who will be wearing glasses when they go out bird watching. It’s best to look for 14mm or higher eye relief, especially if you have to accommodate glasses or sunglasses.
Tagged: Bird Watching Binoculars , bird watching, bird watching binoculars //
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Whether you just want to enjoy a few birds from the windows of your home or you want to turn the yard into a nice sanctuary for birds, placing bird feeders in the yard is a great idea. Of course, you may be wondering what type of feeder you need. Well, the feeder that you need is going to depend on the birds you plan on attracting to your yard. Here is a look at some types of birds and the feeders that they will enjoy.
Doves – If you want to attract doves, you’ll need ground feeders, since they only feed from the ground.
Chickadees – Suet is their seed of preference but they will eat from raised, hanging, and ground bird feeders.
Mockingbirds – They only eat seed from feeders that are raised.
Blue Jays – These birds like feeders that are raised on poles. When you keep bird feeders on metal poles, it keeps visitors that are unwanted, such as squirrels, away from the feeders.
Woodpeckers – Usually the woodpeckers will eat from raised feeders, hanging feeders, and the ground feeders.
Finches – Both hanging bird feeders and raised ones are fine for the finches.
Cardinals – These beautiful birds usually like to eat feed out of the raise or hanging bird feeders.
Juncos – Both raised and ground feeders are fine for these birds.
Wrens – Only the raised feeders will attract wrens to your yard.
Sparrows – For the sparrows, ground feeders and raised feeders both will work.
Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers – These birds will eat suet out of the hanging feeders and they also eat from raised and ground feeders too.
Different birds have different preferences. Once you know what birds like, you can choose feeders for your yard that will attract the types of birds you enjoy. You may even want to try several types of bird feeders so you can enjoy a variety of different birds.
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If you love bird watching then you will need an excellent way to attract birds towards your backyard, watch them choose a mate, and start a family so as to observe them for a very long period of time. Your bird watching experience will truly turn into a memorable one if several birds reside in your backyard, and the only way to ensure this is to offer them a comfortable birdhouse that offers them total security and comfort at the same time.
Well-built birdhouses placed at different corners of your backyard that offer an unhindered view from your camouflaged location will surely attract many male birds to entice females into starting a family with them. If you have decent wood working skills then it is quite easy to build such birdhouses although if you do not have any skills in handling tools then it would be better to buy ready-made birdhouses from stores or over the internet.
Wood such as white pine and cedar can be purchased to make your bird house or houses. You can easily find several birdhouse designs and drawings over the internet or in birding magazines. You can calculate the amount of wood required based on the designs and can also place birdhouses of different designs and sizes in your backyard to attract various species of birds. Once you purchase your wood and procure the designs then you will actually need to start constructing your bird house.
You will require tools such as a wood saw or wood cutter, chisel, hammer, drill machine, screws, nails and a screw driver to construct your bird dwelling. You can make a simple sloped-roof bird house with a small round opening at the top end of the house that is just below the center of the roof. This design appeals to almost all types of small birds such as bluebirds and wrens although robins require an open nesting area and need a differently designed birdhouse.
You will need to incorporate hinges on the side wall or roof of your birdhouse and also ensure that the bottom slides out so as to enable you to clean the house when one family of birds has flown away. This will help you to easily remove bird droppings, feathers, and destroy all bacterial germs that might be lurking in the birdhouse. You should not paint the birdhouse since the smell of paint might put off prospective residents. A natural look will merge with the surroundings and also decrease attacks from predators.
You can easily mount your birdhouse with a metal mounting pole driven into the ground. If you have more than one birdhouse then you should locate them in different corners of your backyard so that your birds do not fight with each other since birds are quite territorial by nature. You can also hang your birdhouses from tree limbs and will also need to fit baffles to discourage squirrels and cats from attacking the birds or their food.
If you love working with wood then you can now merge your bird watching hobby by making different birdhouses for your feathered friends. You can now watch happy bird couples set up home in your birdhouses and start their own families.
Tagged: Bird House Plans, Bird Houses, Bird Watching Tips //
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If you want to spend some quality time with your family while taking a break from the usual amusement park trips then you can surely bond with your family over a bird watching trip. Your loved ones, especially children, can watch and learn more about nature while getting a chance to watch a wide variety of birds in their natural habitat.
You can learn all about upcoming bird watching trips for families through your local pet store or even by searching over the internet. You can also organize your own trip if you have had enough experience in birding in your own backyard or have previously visited nearby parks for short bird watching trips. This is one trip that will surely get the family all excited while allowing each family member to understand the importance of taking care of the surrounding environment.
You can also contact local parks in your town or city since most parks do organize bird watching trips. Once you have fixed up the date of your trip then you will also have to make the necessary arrangements for it. Since there might be elders or children involved in the trip, you will need to take care of their specific needs. You should take along additional binoculars, especially smaller sized ones for children since you would not want a fight to break out between a single pair of binoculars when a rare bird does appear in your sights. Long sleeved clothing along with warm clothes, mosquito repellent, netting and a first aid kit are a must along with adequate water and food suitable for all family members on the trip.
You should also understand that children tend to get bored quite quickly. Thus, if they stop to look at insects or other bugs, flowers, or any other object that catches their fancy then do not admonish them. Instead, enjoy those moments spent together since this will help them to remain excited throughout the trip. You should also carry along a book with colorful pictures of birds that might be observed in the particular region. This will help everyone in the group to correctly identify the observed birds and even learn more about them. With the prices of digital cameras dropping substantially, you can easily carry a decent camera with a powerful zoom lens so as to capture your sightings in your camera and transfer them on to your computer.
You can also join a bird watching club especially for families so that you can enjoy such trips with other like minded families. In this way each member of the family gets a chance to mingle with someone in the same age group and thus make some new friends. Such clubs might also have a few experts that could provide you with valuable tips so as to make your trip even more informative and enjoyable. A well-planned trip will surely please everyone in the family and get them all excited about future ones.
A bird watching trip is an excellent way for the entire family to enjoy each others company as well as learn a few important lessons about preserving the environment. You should surely plan such trips on a regular basis so as to bond with your family as well as gain valuable knowledge about birds and their lives in the process.
Tagged: Bird Watching Tips, Bird Watching for Kids //
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If you want to actively develop bird watching as a hobby then you can start out by birding in your backyard itself. However, instead of waiting for a lost lone bird to visit your yard, you can attract several species of birds at one time by laying out a bird buffet containing their type of food and water in your backyard. Here are a few food and water tips that will ensure good health for birds that visit your backyard.
Since birds require water and food at regular intervals, it will visually pay to make available these facilities in your backyard so that they drop by to gorge on them. You will need a water fountain or a birdbath to attract birds towards your yard. You should ensure that the birdbath is placed in an open place in your backyard so that you can engage in your bird watching activities without any visual obstruction. You can also tempt birds such as hummingbirds by adding a little white sugar to your water. You should however, change the water regularly as well as maintain cleanliness levels in and around your birdbath or water fountain. You can also buy solar water fountains that will help you to cut down on your electric bills. If you live in a region that experiences severe winters then a heated birdbath will surely be appreciated by visiting birds with excited chirps and cheeps.
Birds also love eating seeds from various flowers and fruits. You can easily plant various types of flowers in your backyard so as to tempt them. However, it will be a well-stocked bird feeder that will also attract birds to your yard instead of neighboring properties. You can buy books to read about the types of seeds preferred by various birds and procure seeds loved by only those birds that frequent your backyard. You can now load those seeds in your bird feeder or also sprinkle them in your garden or yard. You should however, place your bird feeder at a height and away from surrounding walls, hedges or bushes, especially if you have a cat or other types of bird eating predators in your neighborhood. This will allow your birds a clear view of the surroundings and help them fly away at any approaching danger.
Whether you have installed a hopper feeder or an attractive electric or solar heated birdbath, you will need to clean them regularly so as to remove bird droppings and moldy seeds before replenishing them with fresh stock. This will ensure that birds fly in happily to your backyard and also remain healthy after enjoying food, water and a fresh bath. You might also have to ensure that squirrels do not get to the bird feed by adding wire mesh or other innovative methods so that only birds can feed on it.
Your bird watching sessions will become much more informative and exciting if you have several species of birds visiting your backyard on a daily basis. You will need to tempt your winged visitors with 5 star food, water and bathing facilities, and you can easily achieve the same without incurring large expenses. You and your family will be suitably rewarded as you will all be able to watch the lives of various birds unfold before your very eyes.
Tagged: Bird Watching Tips //
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Just as technology has changed the way you work, relax and play, it has also changed the way you pursue your hobbies. If you love bird watching and are wondering as to how you can benefit from changing technology then here are a few ways that will help you to follow your hobby in a technologically savvy manner.
The first way might not seem much externally but has definitely changed from the inside. Your binoculars might look roughly the same from outside but inside they feature a lens that offers better magnification, clarity and sharpness then ever before, especially the better quality ones. The use of strong plastics also ensures that the pair of binoculars that you lug around your neck has become lighter than ever before.
Another helpful addition to your bird watching hobby is the introduction of digital cameras that have now become extremely user friendly and affordable. Newer cameras also feature an extremely compact yet powerful zoom lens that will allow you to click close-up photos from far away. You need not waste rolls of film since you can now simply store all the photos in digital form in the micro SD card within your camera. You only need to detach the card from your camera and connect it to your PC or laptop to save the photos that you really want while deleting the others. The introduction of affordable computers is another reason as to why all connecting accessories have become cheaper with each passing day.
Previously you might have had to lug around heavy books that contained detailed information including photographs of various types of birds. You would have had to carry such books when you went for an outdoor bird watching trip or tour so as to correctly identify various birds when they appeared before your eyes. These books are slowly being replaced by mobile phones including iPhones that have the capacity to store complete e-books within them. You can also click photographs through the camera provided in mobile phones and also send out a search over the internet so as to get details about the bird within seconds. You can also record videos or record bird calls in your mobile phone provided it has all these features. This eliminates the pain of carrying different pieces of equipment as almost all types of equipment are slowly being squeezed into the once-humble mobile phone.
Constructing your own birdhouses too has become much easier than before. A quick search over the internet will enable you to view various designs and drawings to easily construct the desired house, and that too with the help of power tools that considerably reduce labor. You can also become a member of a bird watching club by visiting various websites and even filling up an online application form. You can also read bird watching blogs and join an online forum to stay informed about the latest happenings in the birding world.
Technology has truly turned the way people pursue their hobbies, and bird watching too has been impacted in a positive way. You too should make full use of the latest and affordable technology to pursue your bird watching hobby so as to enjoy it to the fullest.
Tagged: Bird Watching Tips //
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The best way to start bird watching is to observe birds that fly into your own backyard during different times of the day and year. You can really learn a lot by observing these wonderful creatures live out their lives in and around your surroundings.
Before you start your backyard bird watching endeavor, you should have the right equipment, attitude and knowledge in place so that you do not end up driving those birds away from your property. The first activity that you need to do is to find out the number of birds that visit your backyard on a daily basis. If there are only a couple of birds that do then you should attract more birds so that you do not get bored by simply waiting for that couple.
You can build your own water fountain, birdbath or birdhouse or even climb up a tree and install a sturdy nest so as to attract birds from nearby properties. You can watch nature channels on television to help you construct a rough nest with pieces of straw or flexible twigs. If you cannot build these items on your own then a visit to a nearby pet store or home improvement store will help you to buy ready-made birdhouses and baths that simply need to be put in the right places in your property.
You should place these items in such a manner that you can observe the visiting birds in an unhindered manner from your own secret corner. You could hole up in your shed or can even build your own compact bird watching house out of wood with a slot for watching the birds, if you have a larger backyard. You will also need bird watching equipment such as a powerful pair of binoculars to watch the birds clearly and up close. You should also buy a book that explains various types of birds that might inhabit your specific neighborhood along with photos so that you can compare them and identify those visiting birds.
With technology becoming cheaper by the minute, you can also invest in a digital camera with a zoom lens. This will enable you to click photos of the birds and upload those photos on to your computer for viewing them at leisure and also for passing them on to friends, family or children. You should also be prepared to sit for longer periods of time and thus a silent snack along with adequate water should help you to continue watching birds without your stomach growling loudly or without getting dehydrated. Another good idea is to sit with a pen and paper pad so as to note down the types of birds that visit your backyard along with other details such as time, date, number of young, etc. This will help you to decipher your visiting birds’ lives as you keep on watching them over a long period of time.
Bird watching is an excellent hobby that lets you get in tune with nature, your surrounding environment and also become a silent part of the birds’ lives as they visit your backyard. You can now watch and document the lives of different birds that have been attracted to your backyard without disturbing them or even making them aware of your presence. You can soon turn into an expert bird watcher over time and even plan outdoor bird-watching trips to expand your horizon.
Tagged: Bird Watching Tips //
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If you are looking for a way to keep birds coming around your home during the winter, you may want to invest in a solar and heated bird bath. A good water source is especially important to birds during the winter months. These bird baths keep the water from freezing and they operate on solar power, so you won’t have to try to run an extension cord out to the bird bath.
Today you can find a variety of solar powered bird baths. Usually they combine together a small foundation with a regular bird bath, with a special pump that makes the water continuously flow. That pump is powered with solar power. This keeps the water from freezing during the winter, and it’s great in the summer too because it keeps mosquitoes and other pests away.
You’ll find that there are a couple of ways that these solar and heated bird baths may be set up. Some of them have the solar panels right on the bird bath, while others have panels separate from the bird bath, although they are connected. If you go with an option that has the solar panels right on it, you’ll have to ensure you place it in a place that gets plenty of sun. With the other option, you can place your bird bath anywhere, as long as the panels are placed somewhere that has enough sun to run the bath.
Of course, you will find that these solar powered bird baths are a bit on the expensive side. However, they are well worth the investment, since you can use them all year long. For the best prices, try comparison shopping on the internet.
A good source of food and water can double the chances that birds will survive during the winter months. With a solar and heated bird bath, you can add to their chances of living and also enjoy the beauty of birds in your yard all winter and summer long.
Tagged: Bird Baths , bird watching, birdbaths, heated bird bath, solar bird bath //
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Although bird watching can be as simple as sitting on your front porch and watching the bird feeder or bird bath, if you want to get into this as a hobby, you will probably need a bit more gear. Of course, you’ll need basic supplies like a hat, rain gear, water, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes, but to really make the most of your bird watching adventures, there are a few more items you’ll want to have on hand. Here is a look at some of the best gear for beginners.
Journal
One piece of gear to have on hand is a good journal. It’s nice to have one that you can sketch in as well as write in. Make sure you have a pencil and pen as well. This way you can sketch the birds, make any notes, and even write down any questions that you may want to do some research on when you get home.
Bird Watching Binoculars
Of course, having the right bird watching binoculars is going to be important too. They will help you get close up views of the birds. When choosing this piece of gear, take a look at brightness, magnification, durability, price, and weight. You may want to go with one that has a nice and comfortable strap as well.
Spotting Scope
A good spotting scope with a tripod can be helpful too. They provide you with great magnification and is a nice piece of gear to have on hand.
Camera
It’s always nice to have a camera with you when you go out bird watching. This allows you to digitally record pictures of the birds that you see. Some cameras will even hook up to your binoculars, giving you incredible close up shots of beautiful birds.
Good Bird Guide
Another piece of bird watching gear for beginners is a nice bird guide. These guides will help you to easily identify the birds that you see while you are out watching so you really know what you are looking at.
Recorder
Having a recorder can be a lot of fun as well. This will enable you to record the sounds that birds are making while you are out. Sometimes the sounds birds make can give you a clue to their species as well.
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If you have a passion for nature and birds, then you can certainly combine the two and enter into the amazing world of bird watching. You may quickly turn into a devoted bird watcher so that you can have a great time while pursuing your new interest.
Bird watching calls for patience, a readiness to learn, and some pieces of equipment that aren’t very costly. You should however, learn the fundamental requirements of bird watching so that you can quietly watch birds in their natural habitat without disturbing or traumatizing them. Birds are usually nervous creatures and are going to take flight at the tiniest of noise or motion. You’ll consequently need to learn to remain extremely still, especially when birds come in view.
You can easily begin your new bird watching hobby by simply watching birds in your garden or backyard. This should help you to master the fundamentals very quickly before you go on to more intense watching. If there are hardly any birds venturing into your garden or backyard then you can attract them to visit frequently or even stay in your backyard by simply setting up a birdbath, a birdhouse or even a nest in a tree to attract their interest. You’ll soon be rewarded with a variety of birds flocking to your backyard which you’ll be able to observe at your leisure.
You will also need the proper bird watching gear to observe and recognize the birds that drop by to visit your backyard. A pair of powerful binoculars, a book to identify birds according to your geographical location, a hidden spot in your house or yard where it is possible to observe them without spooking them plus a well-stocked kitchen pantry with lots to eat and drink can allow you to settle down quickly in your bird watching project.
You can also buy a powerful digital camera in case your budget allows. You should in any case have a notepad to write down the kinds of birds that have visited your property together with the time and date of these visits. This will help identify a pattern for future reference. This can also help you to watch their routines and also keep a record of young birds that are going to literally mature before your very eyes over time.
You can even include other loved ones like your spouse, brothers and sisters or children in your bird watching sessions so they too learn to value these tiny creatures even while discovering a great deal about them. As soon as you feel confident enough for you to venture out, you’ll be able to visit nearby woods with all your gear in tow, especially having adequate water and food. You must also bring anti-mosquito netting or repellent and a first-aid kit when you are in those woods. Alternatively, you can join a club and venture out along with other devoted bird watchers to collectively enjoy your new interest while also learning so much from seasoned watchers.
Bird watching is a wonderful way to connect with nature and study the world of birds in an inexpensive way. Always remember never to disrupt the birds in any way and to be as unobtrusive as you possibly can. Over time, you’re certain to discover so much about birds while also motivating others to join you in such a terrific hobby.
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Attracting a variety of birds to your garden is the endeavor of bird fanciers, and a fun way to accomplish this is with bird house kits. This provides an ideal nesting area for birds and many will continue to return to this site year after year. The bird house kits come with everything you will need to provide a wonderful nesting box for your feathered friends. These kits are easily assembled and are great to teach children about nature and birds. Many people use the materials they have at hand and create some very unique bird houses using some basic bird house plans, but for hobby oriented individuals the kits are inexpensive, creative and fun.
Prior planning as to placement, size and orientation in the yard are all things that a bird enthusiast needs to do before building the kit. Once you decide where the bird house is to be used and what types of birds you want to attract, you will have a better idea of what type of kit to purchase.
Just as people come in all sizes and shapes, so do our feathered friends. Larger birds will need a larger home for nesting. Purple Martins are particularly picky about having a specific flight area around their home. Other types of birds might be better suited for a nesting shelf rather than a nesting box. No matter what type of kit you decide upon, be sure to provide a squirrel guard to keep the squirrels from pestering the hatchlings.
Taking the time to plan your birding site is one of the kindest acts you can perform for your feathered friends. The ability to keep predators away from the nest is paramount to birds wanting to be in your yard. If the nesting sites are constantly disturbed by predators and pests, the birds will look elsewhere for their home.
The kits come with easy instructions that are often able to be assembled by children. This is a great rainy day project that will supply lots of enjoyment as the kids see birds occupying the very bird house they built with their own hands. The kits come with the wood and hardware that is needed for construction. If this kit is to be assembled by a child who has not done this sort of craft before, a very simple box type of bird house kit would be perfect to get them started learning to build bird houses.
Bird enthusiasts build a variety of sizes and shapes in the bird houses in order to attract birds that have different needs. A Purple Martin does not want any trees that are taller than their nesting site close by. This is because the predators will take full advantage of being able to dive down upon the nest and grab hatchlings as they pass through. Smaller species of birds will not want other bird houses in close proximity to their nesting site because the competition is fierce for housing and food.
Take these considerations in mind when deciding where to install your newly constructed bird house kit. The birds will sing their hearts out for you and give the whole family the joy of watching a new family hatch out and learn to fly.
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Many birds migrate to warmer locations to flee extreme winters in their particular environment. If you’re an enthusiastic bird watcher who is ready to move beyond the backyard bird feeders, then this really is an experience you don’t want to miss out on, and you ought to definitely explore migratory bird watching to enjoy this breathtaking event.
The initial step you’ll want to take is to locate all spots close to your own location where different types of migratory birds arrive during specific times of the year. You’ll then want to make a decision regarding the type or types of birds that you would like to observe to enable you to choose the area that you will have to visit. Your town or state is likely to be host to a number of recreational areas, wildlife reserves, or protected woods in which different species of birds are known to turn up at different times either on the way to their destination, or as the ultimate destination of their extended journey.
You can also search on the internet to discover many of the specifics about the timing and location of such migratory birds. Next, you might want to look for bird watching groups that have organized camps in these locations to watch this amazing event. Traveling with a group of like-minded birders is better because there’s always safety in numbers, plus you also get to make brand-new friends while you jointly enjoy a wonder of nature. It is best to perform a bit of study on the kinds of birds that typically migrate to the location that you’re planning to visit because it will aid you to quickly recognize those birds, as well as observe their unique characteristics.
It’s wise to make sure that you are outfitted with the proper clothing and also bring the necessary gear before you embark on your bird watching trip. You should have ample long-sleeved jackets and coats to keep warm throughout the dawn and dusk, and also safe from bugs. You will want to carry powerful field glasses or perhaps a powerful scope which has a matching tripod given that you may need to wait for a few hours prior to being rewarded with a spectacular scene of countless birds arriving within your view. When possible, it’s also advisable to bring a digital camera which has a powerful zoom lens to effectively record the migration. Additional essential gear like a first-aid kit, bug repellents, netting, a large hat, tissues, and enough meals together with drinking water should be brought along to ensure your well-being and comfort at all times.
There are many nature parks that offer bird watchers an opportunity to watch these migrations. It is possible to reserve well ahead of time in order to book your location during the actual migration, which may change as a result of weather conditions. Hence, you need to be ready for the arrival date to vary, though once the birds get there they may stay on for a long time particularly if the selected location is actually their ultimate destination.
Migratory bird watching allows you to observe nature’s wonder close up. Make sure you explore this kind of bird watching because you’ll certainly remember it for many years.
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If you’d like to participate in bird watching in your backyard, you will want to appeal to a multitude of birds to your property where you can observe them in peace. Here are some hints that will result in birds of various size and shapes traveling to your yard so as to present you with a spectacular sight.
Birds obviously require food, drinking water and shelter to survive safely. You’ll consequently need to provide these to attract various species of birds to your yard. You can begin by setting up a birdbath to attract thirsty birds to your yard. Birds most certainly love to have a bath while also drinking water from the birdbath. If you reside in a region with intense winters, then you may have to install a heated birdbath. There are lots of types for sale in stores, and now you can even set up solar heated birdbaths to save on electric bills.
Once their drinking and bathing needs have been taken care of then you can entice them by attending to their feeding requirements with a bird feeder. You may participate in bird watching by observing their eating habits to enable you to attract them with the right sort of seeds. Many birds love sunflower seeds and you’ll be able to quickly put in a feeder filled with these seeds or other seeds like millet to attract the birds. You can even sprinkle these seeds in your backyard so that their sharp eyes may view those seeds from the air before they swoop in to feast on them.
A birdhouse should be next on your list to complete their requirements. You can try installing birdhouses with different sized entrances at different corners of your yard in order to get different sized birds on your property. Now you can easily take part in bird watching activities while your birds establish permanent residence and perhaps start a family in your yard thus offering months and several years of viewing pleasure.
It’s also wise to make sure that you have the most suitable equipment available whenever you indulge in bird watching. A powerful pair of binoculars should form a part of your gear. You should also set up your birdbath, feeders and houses in locations that can easily all be viewed from a single place to enable you to see all the action from your location. You should choose a bird-watching place which enables you to remain camouflaged in all types of weather conditions. It’s also wise to have enough food and water should you be watching from out-of-doors.
Bird watching is an extremely safe and affordable activity. Even so, you will need to entice various kinds of birds to your property if you wish to study their everyday routines and antics. These guidelines will help you attract a multitude of birds to your property as well as help you to watch them with delight.
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