For the Birds

After birding for over a quarter a century I have learned a few things from our fine feathered friends. Here are a few thoughts. With a single feeder you can bring many birds into your backyard. Just the other day a red headed woodpecker came to our suet cake feeder and wowed Lucy and I. One time a friend was over and he commented on the birds in my backyard as we sat by the koi pond. He said, "I have lived on Long Island and I have never seen these birds before."

Make sure the feeder get a little food each morning. I use half a yogurt container. You don't want the birds to depend on your feeder alone. They need to work for their food as do human beings unless they have special needs and are not able. Don't create the mess our government has with 35% of the people in our country on some type assistance. Work is good for the birds and us.

Make sure the feeder is up high enough so the cats in the neighborhood are not a threat. My dog Moe is on cat and squirrel patrol. He keeps the yard safe for the birds.

A small bird bath near the feeder will provide water and encourage them to come in.

If you have a vegetable garden the birds will work for you. Another reason not overfeed them is that they love insects. Our gardens are 100% organic. The birds come and eat the pests. Only the short sighted gardener will chase the birds out. For instance the blue jay is a friends of tomato plants. He will go under leaves where worms that put holes in the tomatoes live and eat them right up.

Birds like quiet when they eat so keep your feeders in a place where they can dine in peace.

One more thing, if you can, put your feeders as close to your kitchen windows as you can. We have ours positioned just outside our bay window. Our kitchen table is right there. We have many meals with the birds! They are great dining partners!