Garden Bird Feeder – Your Bird Feeder

Learn How A Bird Bath Fountain Can Bring Birds To Your Yard

Dec 132009

Setting up a bird bath fountain is an easy way to attract birds to your yard. The seeds that your bird feeder contains will only attract certain birds. By adding a bird bath fountain to your backyard you will draw additional species of birds. You will be seeing 2 to 3 times more birds in your yard.

Water is essential to birds. They need water to drink and they also love to play in the water. Watching birds at the bird bath fountain will provide you with entertainment as you watch the birds splashing in it. A bird bath fountain, with the sound of moving water, will attract plenty of birds.

Still water bird baths can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Running water from misters, drippers or waterfalls in the bird bath fountain alleviates that problem.

A bird bath fountain can be operated by either electric or solar power. A solar powered bird bath fountain doesn’t require any additional plumbing or electrical wiring. It costs nothing to run, but does require placement in a sunny location.

Bird bath fountains are constructed out of many different materials: mosaic tiles, concrete, stone, cement, copper, glass, marble, resin, brass or other metals.

The design of a bird bath fountain can be very elaborate and will make a statement in your garden habitat. Conversely, there are bird bath fountains made to blend into the natural landscape.

There should be a rim that is easy for birds to grip so that it can act as a perch. The bowl should have a depth of 2-3 inches. If you have a deeper bowl, placing small pebbles in the bottom will decrease the depth. A textured surface will keep the birds from slipping.

There are a variety of different types of bird baths: deck mount, hanging, tiered and pedestal.

The deck mount is simple to install and is ideal for apartment dwellers or those who don’t have a large yard. The drawback to a deck mount bird bath is that it is easy prey for cats. If there are cats in the area you may want to think twice about selecting this style.
The hanging bird bath can be hung from trees, overhangs or awnings. The downside to the hanging bird bath is that the birds can get it to swing and swish the water right out. This may have you filling the bird bath more often than you would like.
A waterfall bird bath fountain is tiered. This style allows the birds to take a shower under the falling water.
A very popular and versatile choice is the pedestal bird bath fountain. This is a preferred bird bath because it can be placed in any area of your yard.

Many of the different types of bird bath fountains incorporate misters and drippers in the bird bath. Hummingbirds and warblers love to fly through the misters.

Look for an open spot to locate your bird bath fountain. You want the birds to feel safe so make sure that cats don’t have easy access to the area.

In hot weather you should clean your bird bath fountain daily. In cooler weather it should be cleaned every few days. Remember, that a bird bath heater should be installed to keep the water from freezing in the winter. With proper maintenance your bird bath fountain will last for many years.

The perfect bird bath fountain, as recommended by birding enthusiasts, is one with moving water, functional perches, a textured surface and one that is solar powered. You will appreciate the beauty it brings to your garden bird feeder habitat. The birds will love your bird bath fountain. Just sit back and enjoy the view!

Video: Garden Bird Feeder-First Snowfall Of The Season

Bird Feeders, Garden Bird Feeder 5 Responses »

Dec 102009

Garden Bird Feeder-Our First Snowbirds in 2009

Chicadee at the Garden Bird Feeder

We filled up the bird feeder and sat down to write the Christmas cards. Soon we were spending more time watching the birds at the garden bird feeder than writing cards! It’s always fun watching the birds after the first snowfall. Share your stories with us.

Planning Your First Garden Bird Feeder

Garden Bird Feeder 29 Responses »

Nov 142009

You’re dreaming of starting your first garden bird feeder. You are looking forward to sitting back and enjoying all the beautiful birds that will be attracted to your garden bird feeder. You’re picturing all the beautiful blossoms that the birds will be enjoying. It’s the perfect time of the year to plan a beautiful garden bird feeder. You don’t need a large yard to set-up a beautiful and decorative garden bird feeder. The following facts will leave you with a bird-friendly yard and a natural setting that will be as pleasing to you as it will be for the wild birds.

Establish a bird sanctuary in an area that allows a safe landing site for the birds. Allocate a spot for your garden bird feeder near trees or shrubs. Remember, the landscaping doesn’t have to be elaborate. You may already have a place that has shrubs and trees that you can expand on. Birds will use the trees and shrubs for protection from predators. The trees and shrubs will supply the birds with a range of nesting material and nesting sites. Grow a variety of trees and plants that will yield year round food like berries and seeds that will ripen at different times throughout the year. Allow a portion of your manicured grass to grow higher by your garden bird feeder. The higher grass areas provide the birds with an assortment of insects.

A variety of plants will supply the best benefits for the birds. Consider adding native and summer fruiting plants close to your garden bird feeder. The food produced by these plants will be well suited for the wild birds that live around you. Birds feed on a variety of insects that are found on the plants. Flowering plants produce seeds which is a favorite food source for finches, sparrows and other songbirds. Wild birds come for the seeds more than the blossoms. Remove plants in your garden bird feeder that are not supplying food in favor of plants that do.

Planting flowers is an easy way to attract wild birds to your garden bird feeder. Birds are attracted to your garden bird feeder by numerous types of flowers. Plant flowers that are native to your area. Hummingbirds will be drawn to the garden bird feeder by red flowers. Other birds will come to your garden bird feeder for sunflowers, daisies, zinnias and any other flowers with seeds. This is why it is so important not to cut them down when they are done blooming, it’s the seeds that the birds love.

Actually, you can double the number of wild birds attracted to your garden bird feeder by supplying an adjacent water source. A water source will even increase the number of different species of wild birds that will be stopping by for a drink. All species of wild birds will stop at your water station. Otherwise, you would miss the wild birds that are not attracted to the food source that your garden bird feeder is furnishing. A bird bath is one of the easiest ways to entice more wild birds. The bird bath needs to be cleaned and filled with fresh water frequently. Remember, in the winter, the wild birds look for open sources of water. By installing a heater in your bird bath you will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of wild birds flocking to your garden bird feeder in the cold months. If you are creating a natural bird sanctuary you could consider incorporating a small pond as your water source in your garden bird feeder.

This sounds like there is so much to do, but don’t be overwhelmed with it. Start with trees, shrubs and plants that your yard already provides. Plan the gradual transition of your garden bird feeder over several planting seasons. It will give you something to look forward to every winter. Plan and plant only the space that you will be able to easily take care of at your garden bird feeder.

You will find pleasure in the success of your garden bird feeder knowing that you have built a natural habitat and are helping to protect the environment. Your careful planning of your garden bird feeder will have you enjoying the sights and sounds of the sweet songbirds. They will enjoy their new habitat and will depend on it in all seasons to come.