Birdfeeding Basics

Thanks to Abbey White, a summer intern, for the following post:



With summer in full swing, you may be wondering what fun and easy things you can do in your backyard to support a diversity of wildlife! Birds, in particular, are all around us and despite the nearby housing and business developments, there is certainly a wide range of birds right outside your back door. Setting up feeders is a great way to see all the wonderfully different types of birds found in your neighborhood, and it’s also an opportunity to observe their behaviors and interactions with other birds. Here at Lyman Woods we are in the process of setting up a bird viewing area right outside the Interpretive Center for everyone to enjoy! The goal is to have a group of feeders, each with a different type of seed to attract various bird species such as Brown-headed Cowbirds, American Goldfinches, Scarlet Tanagers, and White-breasted Nuthatches, to name only a few! One such feeder, called a platform feeder, was generously donated by Wild Birds Unlimited in Lisle, and is large enough to support many birds. We also have tube feeders, a suet feeder, tray feeders, and numerous nectar feeders, all of which together will hopefully provide a lasting feeding area for the birds at Lyman Woods that people of all ages can appreciate.

At your own house this can be easily replicated! One strategy would be to provide one large, multipurpose feeder that contains a mix of numerous seed types. These can include black oil sunflower, white millet, safflower, peanuts, and many others. Although certain bird species will likely frequent the feeder on a regular basis, there is certainly the opportunity for a wide range as well. The other option (potentially for the more avid birder) would be purchase many different feeder types and spread the different seeds among those feeders. This method may alleviate the competition between species that might occur at one communal feeder. A small running water feature, such as a bird bath or fountain, would also be helpful in attracting birds.  Planting nearby shrubs for cover/protection from predators is another great way to ensure that the birds will congregate in your backyard for a while. An excellent source of information regarding bird feeders and backyard birding is the National Bird Feeding Society web site, which can be accessed using this link: www.birdfeeding.org. Taking the time to support avian wildlife is a lifelong, rewarding experience and I would recommend it to anyone. Good luck!