Bird watching is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States. You can become a bird watcher just by following a few simple steps that can make your backyard into an area that will attract birds.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has published three free booklets to help you get started. "Attract Birds," (item 581Y, free) shows how planting a variety of trees, shrubs and flowers can create an environment that birds will love. Selecting a birdhouse best suited to the birds you want to attract is covered in "Homes for Birds" (item 584Y, free). And "Backyard Bird Feeding" (item 582Y, free) describes the styles of feeders available and the favorite foods of different species.When landscaping to attract birds, choose plant and tree varieties such as pines and junipers that provide benefits year-round by offering shelter in the winter and nesting sites in the summer. Oak and hickory trees, as well as other trees and plants bearing nuts or acorns, supply both shelter and food. And the addition of a small pond, birdbath or other source of water will probably double the number of birds that visit.
Putting up a birdhouse is another great way to provide shelter and protection. Deciding on style and placement depends on the birds you want in residence. Bluebirds, for example, are most likely to nest in boxes placed on a stump or wooden post three to five feet high. Robins, on the other hand, favor platforms on a shaded tree trunk six or more feet off the ground.
For both durability and insulation, wood is probably the best material for birdhouse construction. You may want to add a coat of dull, light-colored paint to protect the outside, but leave the interior plain. Stains, preservatives and paint give off fumes that are potentially lethal to birds. Also, provide ventilation and drainage holes to allow air to circulate and water to escape.
To keep your new occupants well-fed, and to tempt others to visit, furnish them with feeding stations placed off the ground. Feeders come in a number of shapes and sizes and can hold a wide selection of foods. Goldfinches, woodpeckers and chickadees prefer a tube feeder filled with black oil sunflower seeds, while a tray or platform feeder containing millet is a favorite of doves and sparrows.
Clean feeders regularly to remove droppings and damp or wet seeds before they can spoil. Wash the entire feeder in a bucket of hot, soapy water, adding one or two capfuls of chlorine bleach if it's made of plastic, ceramic or glass. For those made of wood, substitute another type of disinfectant. Always make sure you rinse it well. It's especially important to keep humming bird feeders clean since the sugar water nectar they hold can ferment in hot weather - a deadly threat to small birds.
For copies of the booklet, send your name, address and booklet numbers to S. James, Consumer Information Catalog, Pueblo, Colo., 81009.