Attract and Feed Wild Birds in Your Yard
Attract and Feed Wild Birds in Your Yard
I treasure peace and quiet, which is the main reason I moved out of the city to a more secluded spot 10 years ago. There is just something so calming about being able to enjoy nature in all its glory every single day. I love nothing more than to sit out on my deck and watch various critters roam around looking for a tasty treat. In fact, I’ve become a bit of an amateur bird watcher recently, and have been testing out different ways to attract and feed wild birds. Here are a few of the things that have worked best thus far. First, I put a couple of bird feeders around the place. I decided to hang one halfway up a fairly big oak, and put another on a simple post driven into the ground. This is an easy and effective way to feed wild birds — at least once they know the food is available. Once a bird realizes a steady food supply is available, it will likely come back again and again, which is what I’ve been lucky enough to experience. Now I get a good number of jays, robins, thrushes, and starlings, as well as the odd cardinal or oriole. I know these aren’t exactly exotic types, but they’re still fun to watch! Second, I’ve installed a nice, big birdbath right in the middle of the backyard. This is probably what initially attracts all my feathered friends, because it’s very bright and colorful. It’s so neat for me to wake up in the morning and see a bird splashing around out in the bath. Who knew these little creatures could bring so much simple joy? If you want to be able to attract and feed wild birds in your yard, then a birdbath is a must! Finally, I read somewhere that using peanut butter is a surefire way to attract and feed wild birds. I was a bit skeptical about actually trying it, but it really does work! I usually just gather up a few pinecones, spread on some peanut butter, and scatter them where they can easily be found. It’s so much fun watching a bird discover one of these tasty treats and peck away contentedly at that pinecone until it gets its fill. These are the three simplest techniques that I know about, and they all work extremely well. I love being able to feed wild birds right here in my yard and watch them enjoy the bath and other treats they discover. If you’re looking for a rewarding way to experience nature without having to trek all the way to a preserve or other type of sanctuary, then why not set up your own backyard in a similar fashion? It doesn’t take very long and the payoff is definitely worth it!
