Third of seven videos from the National Wildlife Federation about establishing a Certified Wildlife Habitat at your home or school. Naturalist David Mizejewski discusses the benefits providing water either high or low, in a bird bath or in a water garden.
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/backyard-birding/certified-wildlife-habitat-water-for-wild-birds/
Create a backyard that will appeal to birds. Planting trees and shrubs of different heights will accommodate the preferences of different birds. Check with your local gardening center on which plantings work best to create a bird friendly yard in your area. And keep in mind chemically treated lawns will make a less healthy, and unattractive environment for birds.
THE FOUR BASICS – Water, food, shelter and a place to nest
Bird Baths
Bird baths are one of the easiest ways to bring birds up close, where you can get a really good look at them. They provide fresh clean water to drink and bathe in, which can sometimes be the hardest necessity for birds to come by.
When selecting a bird bath, choose one with a running water feature (or add a water moving feature) to help keep it free of algae and other contaminants, including mosquito larvae. The sound of moving water will also attract birds from afar. Another feature to consider is either a heated bird bath or a separate heater or deicer to put into the bathe. This will keep the water from freezing in winter, when open water is scarce. If electricity is not available to power a backyard bird bath, consider adding a solar powered bird bath.
Keep in mind, the water shouldn’t be more than a couple of inches in deep. If it’s too deep, birds won’t feel comfortable and will avoid the water feature. To limit the depth, add rocks for birds to perch on.
Bird Feeders and Feeding Stations
Platform Feeders
A platform feeder is a simple tray-like system that accommodates a wide variety of backyard feeder birds, both small and large, from sparrows to blue jays to mourning doves. To attract all sorts of birds, fill the tray with mixed seed. Varieties of platform feeders are also available as mealworm feeders – a backyard bird favorite!
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/backyard-birding/attracting-birds-to-your-backyard/
There is no better way to get birds flocking to your yard than a good source of fresh water. A bird’s need for water through every season of the year is so strong that even species you never expected will be attracted to a strategically placed water source.
Having a birdbath or fountain is an advantage to anyone who enjoys observing nature in general and bird behavior in particular.
The most natural spot for a bath is close to the ground, but water at higher levels not only appeals to some species, it reduces the bird’s exposure to cat attacks. Soaking-wet birds are no match for feline agility. Putting a birdbath near trees improves security against raptors. Plus, branches are an easily reached perch from which to preen in safety.
Solar Bird Baths are Practical and Decorative
Solar Bird Baths
Locate your bath in a shady part of your yard. This will keep the water at a cooler, more refreshing temperature in hot weather.
To get birds accustomed to the bath, try placing a feeder within five feet of the bath. Birds will notice the water as they go to the feeder.
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/backyard-birding/baths-fountains-attract-more-birds/
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/backyard-birding/family-of-owls-at-birdbath/
Andy Thompson of “Bird Watcher’s Digest” shows Harry Smith of the CBS Morning News, some of the great new products available for backyard birders including the water wiggler, audubon nesting boxes, and the Identiflyer. Great video for backyard birding basics, including a segment on field guides, bird feeders and squirrel proofing.
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September 25, 2009
Andy Thompson of “Bird Watcher’s Digest” shows Harry Smith of the CBS Morning News, some of the great new products available for backyard birders including the water wiggler, audubon nesting boxes, and the Identiflyer. Great video for backyard birding basics, including a segment on field guides, bird feeders and squirrel proofing.
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/backyard-birding/bird-watchers-digest-backyard-birding-basics-video-2/
The state bird of Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin, the American Robin is a familiar songbird in the thrush family. They live in towns and woodlands, and are commonly seen on suburban lawns exhibiting their “running and stopping” behavior as they gather their morning worms.
The America Robin feeds on different things throughout the day, including earthworms in the morning, and fruits and berries in the evening. They are mostly active during the day and gather in large flocks at night to roost in trees in secluded areas.
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/backyard-birding/about-american-robins/
House Sparrows are the most abundant songbirds in North America and the most widely distributed birds on the planet. These small, round birds are frequent visitors to suburban backyard bird feeders, and are commonly found in school yards, fast food parking lots, and street corners. Imported from England to North America between 1850 and 1886 in an effort to control insects, the House Sparrow (originally called the “English sparrow”) has grown in population to over 150 million. It’s aggressive nesting behavior and adaptability to humankind, has led to this increase and given them an unpopular status among many birding enthusiast.
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/backyard-birding/about-house-sparrow/
An all points bulletin was issued Wednesday for an escapee fitting the description of having a bright yellow head, emerald-green rear, orange circles around its’ eyes, and a band on one leg.
The suspect is a zoo parrot called a sun conure, who “flew the coop” during a free-flight performance at the Philadelphia Zoo on Wednesday. It was one of 14 birds in the afternoon show, during which they soar across the stage and land on perches. At the end of the show, a “beak count” revealed only 13 birds had returned.
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/backyard-birding/jailbreak-zoo-parrot-is-flight-risk/
Generally, a backyard birder can be defined as someone who enjoys feeding and seeing wild birds in their garden or patio. Backyard birding is a new name for a very old activity. At some point in our lives, we’ve probably all hung a bird feeder, thrown bread on the ground, or maybe even taken pause on a warm summer day to listen to the “feee-dee-de” whistle of a male chickadee – all backyard birding activities. The basic components of backyard birding are providing food & water, and shelter for the visiting wild birds.
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/backyard-birding/what-is-backyard-birding/
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