What type of wildlife are you most likely to see whenever you go outside? Birds!
No matter where you go in this world, apart from areas permanently covered in ice, you will see birds. There will be birds nearby any time of the day in any weather, in the city or in the countryside, even if you can’t see them, you’ll probably hear them.
Birding is reported to be one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities all around the world, and you have a variety of choices where you can go and watch them. The first choice is your backyard!
More than 70 million Americans now enjoy feeding and watching birds from their backyard.
In North America alone, 835 various species of birds will spend at least part of the year there.
The easiest way to get started in Bird Watching is to bring the birds to your backyard. This allows you to see them up close.
Some ways you can attract birds into your garden include:
- Keep feed for the birds all year round.
- Growing specialized plants in your backyard to attract them.
- Provide safe nesting sites or birdhouses.
- Provide them water through a bird bath or fountain, especially in extreme hot or cold weather.
Once you have attracted the birds, you could get involved sketching them or trying to catch that perfect picture, or you could just sit back and enjoy bird songs.
Some of the essential tips for bird watching are:
Try to observe the birds, so they don’t know you are there. Move slowly, make as little noise as possible, and keep your distance. Going too close to a nest or repeatedly scaring a bird off its nest can cause the parents to abandon their nest, leaving the eggs vulnerable to predators. Likewise, do not touch the eggs or the young birds, as this can cause the parents to abandon the eggs or chicks.
Follow these simple tips, and birds will be attracted to your backyard and keep coming back year after year. Enjoy!
