You can't always tell what kind of birds come to your garden? Or you can't observe them enjoying the food you've prepared for them? Want to get more enjoyment from appreciating the birds that visit your garden? Here are some tried-and-true tips that will get you attuned to the joys of garden birdwatching.
Download a bird app
One of the best ways to appreciate birds is by gaining the ability to identify as many as you can. Many birding apps have great tools to help you get a solid ID on new visitors. Some even use image recognition to help you narrow your selection to the most likely choices.
Learn their sounds
Birders often spend just as much time getting to know the sounds birds make as they do getting a visual ID on their feathered friends. Because birds can be hidden in treetops, learning their songs and calls is an expedient way to identify what's in your backyard.
Go beyond the feeder!
If you don't already have one, add a birdbath. It's a great way to attract species with insect-focused diets that don't visit feeders. They'll definitely come for a drink. You'll get an up-close look at new species!
Keep an eye on the trees!
Several species of woodpeckers, nuthatches, and creepers can be discovered just by quietly observing the activity in the trees in your yard. This is a great location for these insect-eaters to find tasty morsels of food.
Be aware of nests and nesting behaviors!
Birds build nests in the most unexpected places! In addition to trees and bushes, they may select horizontal surfaces on the exterior of your home, such as utility boxes and ledges. If they're nesting in a hidden spot, such as a shrub or evergreen, observing bird movements can help you locate their nests. For instance, you might notice that every time you pass by a particular evergreen bush on your way to the shed, an irate robin flies out. That's a sure sign that you've disturbed a nesting bird. From a safe distance, you can enjoy the delightful springtime scenes of parents caring for their young.
Practice mindfulness.
When you're enjoying some well-deserved "me time" on the deck or in the backyard, leave your earbuds behind. Focus your attention on the sounds around you. What bird activity can you hear in your part of the world? Open your ears and other senses to the activity unfolding around you. As an added bonus, if you remain still and silent, you'll eventually notice bolder species, such as chickadees, blue jays, and downy woodpeckers, coming in for a closer look.
Learn about their seasonal behaviors.
In the spring, for example, birds pair off with mates and build nests. This is a good time of year to observe their defensive tactics.
There is a higher frequency of songs and calls.
-Chasing off rivals
-Wooing prospective mates
- Attacking their own reflections in car mirrors and windows
However, in the fall and winter, when the last fledglings have grown and become fully independent, birds reset their social priorities. The scolding and chasing come to an end. They’re more likely to gather in flocks and look for food.
Add a feeder just for small birds.
Add a feeder specially designed for smaller birds. This will encourage colorful finches to venture in for a snack, and you'll enjoy a wider variety of visitors. SAMHEOUTDOOR has all their favorites, such as small, mesh, acrylic, and window bird feeders. Pick up a bag today!
