Joining millions of bird lovers in creating a backyard aviary can be easy and rewarding with a little help choosing and maintaining your wild bird feeders. Begin by imagining your backyard as a birdwatching paradise and picture the desired sights and sounds that will become your goal.

Start by considering the types of birds that you wish to attract, and the ones you do not want to see. If you’re a beginner, asking neighbors or co-workers which types of birds frequent their backyards might prove useful. Understanding that your target is to attract finches or cardinals, for example, will assist you in selecting the optimal wild bird feeders and creating the right birdwatching environment.

Bird feeders are available in a number of styles. Some of these kinds include platform and ground feeders, tube, thistle, suet and wood. There are even specifically crafted feeders designed to attract a particular type of birds, such as hummingbirds. Taking the time to learn about the features of each one will increase your chance of success.

Once you have chosen the right feeders, make sure to fill them with your desired birds’ food preferences. To attract the most varieties of birds, black oil sunflower seeds are a great choice. Seasonal fruits or nuts may attract less common types of birds, especially in summer. Specific types of birds, like woodpeckers, enjoy peanuts.

Keeping to a budget with regard to bird food is easier when you choose wild bird feeders that are squirrel-resistant or unlikely to attract other furry animals. Choosing a location away from easy-to-climb landscaping or shrubby hiding places can also reduce the chance that squirrels or other creatures will gorge themselves on your newly refilled seed. If squirrels do persist, you may also try switching to thistle seed as some birdwatchers have noted that squirrels don’t like the taste.

If you’re like most birdwatchers, your desire is to attract a variety of species. Offering an array of feeders rather than one type is a way to enjoy regular backyard visits from a number of birds even throughout the seasonal changes.

When you find a spot that birds seem to frequent, setting up a bird feeding station with many feeders concentrated in one area can be exciting. Alternatively, you can position your wild bird feeders at various locations around your house and take delight in viewing the wildlife through many different windows.

Once you’ve got your yard set up, sit back and enjoy. Remember to have an identification book handy so you can enjoy your success when those exotic or unexpected species begin to arrive!

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If you are interested in welcoming birds into your garden, you will want to get a bird feeder. These can be enjoyed by local birds, as well as out-of-towners. Although there is some debate about how these bird feeders affect the bird’s feeding patterns, there are easy ways to make them safe and healthy for any visitors.

The physical integrity of a feeder is always at risk from a marauding squirrel. Squirrels can chew through almost any material and tend to scatter seed all over the place, attracting rodents on the ground. A squirrel baffle placed above and/or below a feeder can eliminate this risk. Another option is to place a squirrel feeder nearby to keep them away from the birdseed.

The other thing that you want to remember is to make sure that you keep the feed dry. If your feed gets wet or moist, you will find that it will create clumps, and we all know that wet things also attract mold. The simple way to combat this is to give your feeder and seeds a little shake to separate them before and after you have filled it up.

Another way you should keep it clean is to disinfect it once a week or so. You can simply use a solution of bleach to clean it with a scrubbing brush. You can make the concentration a quarter cup of bleach to 2 gallons of water. During the months of wet weather you should disinfect it more often and make sure that it is completely dry before you add more seeds, otherwise you will have a mold problem.

If you live in an area that has persistent damp weather, you should try to get a bird feeder that has an enclosed roof. Other possible options include a tube feeder or a hopper. A squirrel baffle can also double as a shelter from the rain.

Suet, in turn, should be given to birds only in cool or cold weather. Hot weather can cause this type of food to be unhealthy and unsafe. Runny suet is known to stick to feathers and is difficult for the bird to clean.

Along with bird feeder care, you should also take care of the food storage. The seeds must be kept in a sealed airtight container that is always dry. The best containers to use are the plastic garbage cans with tight lids. This will also keep rodents away. Suet should be stored in the freezer.

In the event a dead bird is spotted near the bird feeder, refrain from providing seeds for several months. If a disease caused the bird’s death, removing the food source will help prevent the spread to other birds. Animal or wildlife officials should be notified of any dead or diseased birds that are found.

If you want to enjoy watching birds from the comfort of your home, then take care to maintain your bird feeder and take measures to eliminate rodents and prevent diseases.

Robert Mann is a dedicated outdoorsman who has observed birds on four continents. He provides the latest birdfeeders and houses at his online store located at http://www.BirdhouseBirdFeeder.com.

Any backyard birdwatcher can become a volunteer researcher for Project FeederWatch managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Volunteers help scientists track bird populations and movements by counting birds that visit yards and feeders. The final result is a coast to coast snapshot of bird life in North America.

Annual counts take place from November through early April. Registration begins March 1st for the following year, and continues for the next twelve months. FeederWatchers count the total number of birds in the area at a single time to avoid counting a single bird more than once. This also alleviates the need for constant monitoring of a bird feeder or yard.

Those who take part in the count receive some great tools and information. The package sent to participants includes a tally sheet, a publication on feeding birds, a calendar, a poster to aid in identifying birds, and instructions on all of the above. The annual fee is $15 which covers most of the expense of the operation, and includes a newsletter subscription.

Data collected in Project FeederWatch is featured in science publications and frequently used by ornithologists and birdwatchers throughout North America. The count provides a real opportunity to contribute to the well-being and research of birds that share our habitat. Another benefit is finding previously unknown birds in the neighborhood.

FeederWatch is definitely an equal opportunity event. Participants come from every background and walk of life: Retired persons, youth organizations, nature centers, birdwatching clubs, kids, school classes, and individuals. Learning opportunities abound for both groups and families. The bottom line is that anyone who admires birds is welcome to join.

There is much flexibility for time spent on the bird tally. The creators of the project provide many different approaches for schedules and actual time spent counting. Given the overall strategy of providing numbers for a single slice of time, even birdwatchers with a tight schedule can collect quality data.

Options for the location of birdwatching are flexible but must remain constant. Often a location that includes a feeder is used, but any defined area frequented by birds is acceptable. Birdwatchers by their very nature will know where to find birds. The kit provided by Project FeederWatch will give advice and examples on choosing a good location.

All parties win with Project FeederWatch. Participating provides a unique opportunity to appreciate nature while making a contribution to the welfare of North American birds. The birdwatching tools given to those involved are also a meaningful reward.

Follow this link to treat your wild birds to a bird feeder or birdhouse. To study more about Project FeederWatch, visit http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/