One sure sign of spring is the beautiful, chirping melody of a bird on a sunny morning. Is there a better way to wake up than by the sweet sound of nature’s own alarm clock? If you can agree, you’re not alone. Ornithology, a branch of zoology that refers to the study of birds, is becoming a very popular hobby. Not only is it important to study birds because they are great indicators of ecosystem health, but they are also fun to watch. In fact, 51.3 million Americans report that they watch birds, making bird watching the fastest-growing outdoor activity in the United States.
If you’re lacking small feathered neighbors, you may be missing the basics of a bird friendly environment. According to Mark Wilkerson, from Backyard Birding Co. in East Petersburg, the number one way to attract birds to your yard is food. Providing food first, and then water and housing, is essential to creating a yard that is prime real estate for local birds. If your home doesn’t have outdoor space suitable for bird accessories, you can still enjoy birdwatching. Luckily, south-central Pennsylvania has lots of birdwatching opportunities. One of Wilkerson’s favorite places is Middle Creek in Kleinfeltersville.
When selecting food to attract feeder birds, Wilkerson says you can’t go wrong with black oil sunflower seeds. These seeds are eaten by more varieties of birds than any other seed. Some of the most common feeder species found locally are Northern Cardinals, Mourning Doves, Dark-eyed Juncos, Downy Woodpeckers, American Goldfinches, Blue Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, House Finches, Tufted Titmice and White-breasted Nuthatches.
If you’re trying to attract more birds to your yard, another crucial tool is the feeder itself. The only way birds are going to find the food is if they can see it.
Create a water supply with a bird bath.
Considering providing housing for some permanent residents?
1. Learn and examine the common species of birds in your yard.
2. Keeping your bird species in mind, find or build an appropriate-sized birdhouse. Provide a convenient entrance big enough for your particular bird species, but also small enough to protect the birds from predators.
3. Consider location. Wilkerson says to always remember to put houses and feeders where you spend time and where you are going to enjoy them. You can also attract birds to the birdhouse with a location that is in close proximity to nesting materials like twigs, long grasses or pine needles.
4. It is important to clean and maintain your birdhouse from year to year to create a safe and inviting environment.
DIY Dressed Up Birdhouse
Materials:
Wooden birdhouse, metal scraps or “peel and stick” moss, an old knob, outdoor fabric, outdoor paint, Mod Podge, paintbrush, fabric or craft scissors, screwdriver, drill, saw
Directions:
1. After you have narrowed down your birdhouse selection based on the birds in your area and personal preferences, select a birdhouse that allows you to use a screwdriver to detach the bottom. This will not only make this craft easier, but it also gives you the ability to clean out the house from year to year.
2. If your wooden birdhouse includes a perch or small stick, use a saw to remove it. Create a hole in your birdhouse using a drill, and correspond the size of the hole with the size of the door knob screw.
3. Paint the areas of your birdhouse that you do not plan to cover with other materials and detach the bottom of the birdhouse.
4. Trace and cut the fabric to cover desired surfaces of the birdhouse. Using a paint brush, apply Mod Podge to the backside of the fabric and the wood, lay the fabric lightly onto the birdhouse, and smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles. Apply the Mod Podge to the corners and edges of the fabric to keep it from lifting. Have extra fabric? We love the idea of matching the birdhouse to outdoor throw pillows!
5. Screw in your new knob for a stylish bird perch and reattach the bottom of the birdhouse.
6. Crafters choice: For a cottage-style birdhome: Trace and cut “peel and stick” moss to cover the roof of the birdhouse. For a Spanish-style birdhome: Trace and cut pieces of aluminum to fit onto the roof. Shown in picture are scrap pieces of aluminum backsplash purchased at a home improvement store and cut using scissors. Apply metal by applying a thin layer of Mod Podge to the roof and to the backside of the metal. Press aluminum firmly and let dry.
