One of the biggest complaints I hear from people who feed birds is their feeders are being overrun by this bird or another. Usually, it's the grackles, starlings, sparrows or even crows. While I completely identify with their plight, I do believe this happens because the birder has not decided on what feeding style to use? Feeding Style Explained I take great pride that for … [Read more...] about What’s Your Back Yard Feeding Style?
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One Of A Bird Feeder’s Best Friends
As winter moves across the country, we all see more challenges feeding our birds. One of the main challenges is providing water. If you're able to provide water where you can plug in a bird bath heater, that's great! Especially, if you're able to have your bath far enough away from the house to reduce the chance of window strikes when the occasional predators come by. For me, … [Read more...] about One Of A Bird Feeder’s Best Friends
Happy Holidays from BirdOculars!
I hope the holidays this year find you well and eager to help your back yard friends enjoy the season just as much! I've got some changes in store for you for 2019 so stay tuned! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Maggie hopes you get a lot of new toys this year! Best always, Jeff … [Read more...] about Happy Holidays from BirdOculars!
My Squirrel Adventures
Long Time Feeder. First Time Complainer As many of you may already know, I've been feeding squirrels in my back yard pretty much ever since I've been feeding birds. They've presented challenges at various times because they're so unbelievably intelligent. In fact, most of the stories I've read of peoples' problems with squirrels have stemmed from them underestimating them in … [Read more...] about My Squirrel Adventures
Where Have All My Goldfinches Gone?
My Experience With Goldfinches Before 2015 Nearly every year since 2003, the first year I started feeding birds, I've had goldfinches in my back yard. Sure, there have been some years where they were heavier than others. I made a recording in May of 2011 where they were massing in the woods behind our property and the din was almost deafening. Have a listen. (The recording … [Read more...] about Where Have All My Goldfinches Gone?
When Survival Seems Unfair
The Intelligence At Work Sometimes, we birders have to witness things that break our hearts. Nestlings getting killed by birds competing for the space. Seeing the odd bird dead on the side of the road while walking our dogs. Seeing squirrels who've been hit in the road. The list goes on. What keeps us going is we know that these things are all part of the beauty we see and … [Read more...] about When Survival Seems Unfair
Start With A Bird Bath
Water Is An Easy Start To Feeding If you're like me, you want to get the most enjoyment out of your back yard with the minimal amount of fuss. After all, when you're not spending time in your back yard, you don't want to be worrying about how you're going to keep up with it all. That's one of the reasons I like more permanent fixtures over portable ones. For instance, I love … [Read more...] about Start With A Bird Bath
Spring Nesting Tips For Back Yard Birders
In most parts of the US, old man winter is starting to give way to at least small peeks of Spring. That means your back yard visitors are looking (or will soon be looking) for places to nest and raise their young. You can help them in ways you've maybe not thought of. Here are my spring nesting tips to help make your back yard a preferred spot for nesting birds. In no … [Read more...] about Spring Nesting Tips For Back Yard Birders