The Best Time for a Bird Feeding Break Every year about this time I'm wondering why I keep putting out food for the few birds that are coming. Why I'm still cleaning, raking and buying new seed. After all, most of my visitors are off doing other things. This year, I finally took a bird feeding break. I'd like to talk about why you should still consider it before the cold … [Read more...] about Take a Late Summer Bird Feeding Break
backyard bird feeding
Five Ways To Avoid House Finch Eye Disease
Background I recently had a brush with house finch eye disease that I want to share with you. I've written about it before in an article I wrote here. Here is an article from AllAboutBirds addressing the disease. I hope this article helps you avoid the same mistakes I've made. Keeping your birds safe from house finch eye disease doesn't have to be a constant struggle. If … [Read more...] about Five Ways To Avoid House Finch Eye Disease
Summer Bird Feeding Tips
Bird Feeding In Summer Doesn't Have To Be Hard I know I've already written about the benefits of adding water to attract birds but let me give you a quick rundown of five things I recommend for bird feeding in summer. If you offer hummingbird nectar, make sure to change it every 3-5 days depending on how warm it is in your neck of the woods. Fill your feeders with no … [Read more...] about Summer Bird Feeding Tips
I’m Being Overrun By Goldfinches! Here’s How You Can Too
No Goldfinches? Like a lot of people I've been talking to this year, I've had a real challenge getting goldfinches into my back yard. I've tried cleaning, changing seed, changing seed brands and praying. Up until a couple of weeks ago, it didn't seem like there was any way to change this trend. One day, I was out in my garage inventorying my feeders and supplies. I came … [Read more...] about I’m Being Overrun By Goldfinches! Here’s How You Can Too
Why I Love Titmice
As we tend to our feeders, we realize we're helping out our friends by giving them a ready source of food, water, cover and sanctuary. What we tend to forget sometimes is how much they give us back in return. One of my favorite back yard visitors is titmice. Let me give you a few reasons why this is. They Put You In Your Place How many times have you snuck up on a feeding … [Read more...] about Why I Love Titmice
Using The First In, Last Out Method To Foil Sparrows
First In, Last Out Is NOT Just For Accounting With tax season well under way, I had to sneak in a quick post about my approach to keeping sparrows and other nuisance birds at bay. It has to do with how smart birds are and how you can use that to your advantage. It IS possible to train the birds you want while discouraging those you don't. Sometimes, all you have to do is … [Read more...] about Using The First In, Last Out Method To Foil Sparrows
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?
Time To Get Your Backyard Ready For Winter
Winter Brings New Challenges For Wildlife It can be very difficult for birds, squirrels and other wildlife to obtain food during the winter. Especially in less rural areas. This requires that you make some changes. The very minimum you should do are: Clean your feeders if you haven't regularly Consider adding new feeders to reduce congestion Replace any leaky or broken … [Read more...] about Time To Get Your Backyard Ready For Winter