subject: Backyard Birdwatching: Picking the Best Wild Bird Feeders [print this page] Millions of backyards in America attract wide variety of birds because of their carefully placed and filled wild bird feeders, installed by nature lovers of all types. The most successful birdwatchers began with a vision of their "aviary," considering what they desired to see and hear in their own backyards.
To bring your vision to life, start by developing an understanding of which birds you want to see and which ones you might not. A knowledge of this will help you as you get started choosing the best wild bird feeders for your backyard. Neighbors and family members can be a useful resource for novices who are just beginning their exploration into the wonderful world of birdwatching.
Don't get overwhelmed: have a basic understanding of the different styles of bird feeders before heading out to any store. Types of wild bird feeders include suet, thistle, platform and ground, tube and wood ones. Even a basic understanding of the highlights and pitfalls of each one will help reduce future frustration and encourage your success.
Just as important as choosing the best feeders is selecting food that matches birds' preferences. Most bird lovers will choose black oil sunflower seeds, which are widely available and likely to attract quite a wide variety of birds. When June rolls around, begin to add orange slices or some new treats such as nuts and you may bring in some fresh new winged friends that aren't around all year long. Consider some species as having very special taste buds, too: woodpeckers and some other birds enjoy peanuts.
Purchasing squirrel proof bird feeders may also help you from going broke when buying bird seed. Though some are better than others at keeping the squirrels at bay, reduce their threat by placing your feeders away from squirrel-friendly landscaping as well. If those tips don't help, perhaps replacing sunflower seeds with thistle seeds may prove useful as some swear that squirrels hate the stuff.
When everything is set up, it's time to take a rest and enjoy the view. If you're a novice, keeping a reference book handy will be useful when trying to identify the new visitors enjoying your backyard creation!
Backyard Birdwatching: Picking the Best Wild Bird Feeders
