| We feed and care for wild birds for several | | | | drippers, misters and of course the birdbath. |
| reasons. It could be as simple as giving | | | | |
| something back to nature. You may enjoy the | | | | Baths should be no deeper then 2" and have a |
| sights and sounds of birds or discovered | | | | course surface to assist in sure footing. |
| | | | |
| that backyard birding is good for your | | | | Shiny glazes are slippery and all to often, |
| health by relaxing you and lowering blood | | | | an unsuspecting fledgling will slip and |
| pressure. | | | | drown.All of those fancy designs on the |
| | | | bottom of some birdbaths are magnets for dirt |
| If you are like me, backyard birding is a | | | | and algae. |
| passion. Yes, I love birds. I enjoy the | | | | |
| sights and sounds. They bring my yard to | | | | Yes, all the crud finds its way to the |
| life. Birds are entertaining, educational, | | | | cracks and in between stones etc. Now your |
| and good for the environments surrounding | | | | job becomes a bit more difficult to keep it |
| us.I've been feeding and caring for backyard | | | | clean and all to often we will ignore the |
| birds for more then 40 years. I've learned a | | | | through scrub down.Water and food sources |
| few things along the way and write about and | | | | need to be in the open without under growth |
| share backyard birding tips. Here are some | | | | yet within 10 to 15 feet of protection.What |
| | | | is backyard birding without protection and |
| easy and practical tips to assist you in | | | | habitat? I could have the best food and best |
| enjoying your birds more.If I could have but | | | | water sources however, without protection and |
| one feeder, I would choose a well built | | | | habitats few birds will show and my kind |
| Hopper feeder. A feeder that is practical and | | | | deeds will be ignored.By planting for birds |
| functional. It must be easy to clean and fill | | | | and wildlife I encourage avian life into my |
| with plenty of drainage holes. My feeder must | | | | world. Birds now hang around and nest in my |
| be large enough to encourage and attract the | | | | habitats. My little world is filled with |
| birds I want. Hoppers allow a greater variety | | | | color and music everyday of the year |
| of birds to feed.My one choice of food would | | | | |
| be black oil sunflower seed. Oilers are | | | | I relax more. I am entertained and educated |
| preferred by the largest variety of birds | | | | at the same time. Life is good!Ronald |
| (even some nuisance birds). Oilers have an | | | | Patterson has a passion for wildbirds. He's |
| oil content up to 49% making them a high | | | | been feeding and caring for birds for more |
| source of protein and energy for my feathered | | | | then 40 years. Ron is a "Wildlife Habitat |
| friends. A HUGE BONUS about sunflower | | | | Naturalist" and "Michigan Certified |
| seeds............... European starlings can't | | | | Nurseryman." He also lectures and writes |
| crack and eat them. That's correct, starlings | | | | about birds and other wildlife. |
| don't have the ability to crack a sunflower | | | | |
| seed and leave my feeder alone.To prevent | | | | His expertise and knowledge on birds, |
| seeds from growing everywhere and to minimize | | | | habitats, and plants makes him the ideal |
| the ever present chipmunk | | | | person to help you learn to garden for birds. |
| | | | |
| surprise from popping up here and there I | | | | Ron Patterson's writes a weekly newslettere |
| will microwave my birdseed about a minute per | | | | called "Backyard Birding Tips." You can sign |
| pound. Steam cooked so the value remains. | | | | up today and have Ron give you friendly and |
| Another option is to place window screening | | | | often humorous advise on Attractting, feeding |
| under my feeders to minimize the mess. I can | | | | and caring for wildlife. |
| pick it up and shake it off at my leisure | | | | |
| with no shell pile or germinating seeds.Clean | | | | Go to: |
| fresh water is a must and will attract birds | | | | |
| faster then setting the table for them. | | | | up for Ron Patterson's newsletter today and |
| | | | start learning from one of America's backyard |
| Water sources can be a pond, bird creek, | | | | birding experts. |