-Brighten up your winter with the colorful hobby of bird watching

Are you a winter weather enthusiasts or does the dark dreary days bring on cabin fever? Either way, a great way to pass winter days is to feed the area wildlife. Backyard bird feeding is very popular among all age groups. The activity at the feeders is very interesting and can be educational. You may be amazed with the variety of guests drawn to your property just by putting out some bird seed and or corn.

There are many types of bird feeders available. Price and style are usually the determining factor when purchasing a feeder. Some feeders will allow most any birds to feed while others limit the types of birds. Tube type feeders are designed for smaller birds, are inexpensive, and very popular. Suet and suet feeders are very popular as well. Most birds will eat suet and the energy from the suet will assist the birds and animals to survive the cold winter weather. Bird feeders can range from $5.00 to $100.00. Start simple and go from there. I have several customers who start with one feeder, and before they know it they have 5 feeders. Squirrels, deer, and raccoons are just a few animals other than birds seen at the feeders.

Some bird feed enthusiasts spend many hours and sleepless nights trying to figure out a way to stop the squirrels from raiding the feeder. There are several “squirrel proof” feeders available but the squirrels always figure out a way to get to the feed. Remember, squirrels are very acrobatic and have all day to figure a way to get around all your tricks. We all need to eat and this goes for animals also. Instead of stressing about the other animals raiding your feeders enjoy the variety of animals drawn to your feeders. I find it very entertaining to see the variety of wildlife drawn to the feeders. I have a grand daughter who loves feeding the birds. She and her dad have built a few of there own feeders which has her very involved and excited about the birds. She knows more varieties of birds by sight than most adults. Put a few feeders in your yard, pull up a chair, and enjoy the show!