New Bird Feeder by ahisgett
If you haven’t already got at least one bird feeder in your nature garden you’re going to want to add one. Here is why.
It’s Easy
Hanging a bird feeder in your garden is one of the easiest ways to get started with nature gardening.
You don’t need to know precisely which kind of birds live near you, and you don’t need to understand native plants and how to care for them (at least not yet).
It’s Pleasurable
Birds are such a joy to watch. I’ve heard so many stories of elderly folks who practically lived for the joy of watching little feathered visitors outside their window. Maybe you remember too The Birdman of Alcatraz?
Somehow birds have magic which can touch even violent and troubled souls; there’s no doubt that watching birds is a pleasurable and calming hobby. And it’s a great for all ages from infancy up.
It’s Inexpensive
While a good quality, sturdy, squirrel-proof bird feeder can easily cost more than $50, it’s not expensive to get started. You can make a bird feeder from a milk carton or orange juice carton. And when you compare the cost of feeding a few garden birds with the cost of keeping a caged bird, or other pet, complete with vet bills, it’s a really affordable choice.
It’s Educational
Garden birds are the ultimate mini science teachers. They prompt questions in everything from ecology, through nutrition, to physiology, anatomy, behavioral science, geography, optics, acoustics, and aeronautics.
Kids can learn about what different birds eat, where they live, why they migrate, how they breathe and communicate, why their feathers are shiny, how their skeletons are similar to ours, and why they are important to our gardens.
But… it’s just the beginning
But wouldn’t you be better off planting some native shrubs, trees, or perennials which will feed the birds? Yes, it’s really important that birds have natural sources of insect food and native seeds to eat. Trees such as dogwood and crab apple attract and feed a lot of birds. And hummingbirds will love natives such as cardinal flowers. Shifting to greener, organic gardening practices will also leave un-sprayed insects for the birds to enjoy.
All the same, I recommend you mix feeding the birds with gradually adding natives to your garden. Feeders bring birds close in where you can see them from your window. I find that exciting and motivating and it makes me want to do more and more for our beautiful feathered friends. Perhaps you feel the same way?
Next week I’m going to share about Wild Birds Unlimited stores and why you want to visit one.
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Love this post Alison. Kids of all ages love to watch the birds arrive at bird feeders.I think introducing native plants, trees and shrubs to attract the birds is such a wonderful way to grow your garden and have not just birds but so many other exciting wildlife visit.
I will be making pine cone bird feeders at my “Let’s Go Outside” Charity event this Sunday so hopefully the kids will have a lot of visitors to their yards.
Marghnaita Hughes´s last blog ..Eating Outdoors – Fresh From the Garden
“Kids of all ages”. That includes me! I’m a total bird enthusiast (if you hadn’t guessed). I’ll be adding more bird and butterfly perennials and shrubs to my garden on an ongoing basis, for sure.
Tonight I was sitting waiting my turn at the drive-through bank (with my engine off) and feeling sad that the only flock of birds I saw was European starlings. Imagine if urban landscapes were instead full of shrubs which hummingbirds love. I really wonder why that isn’t done and I mean to find out!
I’m with you on that one Alison. The Butterfly Girls head out in night when all the human children are asleep to sprinkle seeds bringing life and colour back to urban landscapes. I think the Little Humbugs should be encouraging more human children to do the same……..I think we will have to collaborate Alison.
Enjoy your garden this evening.
Marghnaita Hughes´s last blog ..Eating Outdoors – Fresh From the Garden
Marghanita, I’d love to collaborate with you. Let’s talk!
I know nothing about the local birds, but right now my yard is full of goldfinches, thanks to some new weeds that appeared after we disturbed the soil for the new well (tall plants bearing yellow flowers, and now seed pods, all along the stalk).
It’s such a pleasure watching those bright yellow birds darting to and fro, dozens of them, that I will follow your advice and get some feeders to prolong the pleasure in the future. Thanks for the reminder!
Gina´s last blog ..Got Your Gutters Up Yet
Gina, now you’ve got me really curious about what the plants are which the goldfinches love. Can you send me a photo? How lovely to have masses of goldfinches visiting. And isn’t it amazing what can be turned up when you bring up deeper soil?
You’ll want to get yourself a feeder for thistle or nyjer seed. I found an interesting article which explains that goldfinches mate later in the season than other birds because of when their food sources mature. Here it is: Attracting Goldfinches.
I did some research, and it turns out they’re just your common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) and right now they’re taller than me and still blooming and producing seedpods, so unless we get an early frost the yellow airshow is far from over!
Now that I know the goldfinches frequent this area, I will certainly look for ways to attract them earlier in the season.
Gina´s last blog ..Got Your Gutters Up Yet