DIY Birdhouses

Placing a birdhouse in your backyard is one of the easiest ways to attract birds, especially if your yard lacks vegetation. Instead of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on fancy birdhouses, why not make your own? It’s a fun, inexpensive DIY project that’s perfect for birdwatchers. Here are 3 of my favorite ideas for birdhouse building.

1)   Edible Birdhouses

Houses that are covered in birdseed are like bed and breakfasts for your bird friends, guaranteed to attract all kinds of visitors! One option is making a birdhouse out of wood or twigs and then covering it in edible glue and birdseed. Or you can make a house out of a milk carton, and then use peanut butter as a substitute for glue, which also allows seeds to stick easily to its sides.

2)   Decorative Birdhouses

Decorative birdhouses can be switched out depending on the season or your mood. They also can give your backyard a fun conversation piece that will dazzle your neighbors. Just buy a cheap, wooden birdhouse from your local craft store, and then use paint, glitter, and stickers for pops of color and sparkle. You can build holiday-themed houses for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, or even the Fourth of July. Glue on seashells or starfish for a unique, beach-themed house. The design possibilities are endless, so embrace your imagination!

3) Recyclable Birdhouses

As they say, one person’s trash can be another person’s treasure, especially if you are building a birdhouse. Crates, PVC Pipe or gourds from your garden can all be transformed into these beautiful backyard fixtures with the right tools. While these projects can generally be more time-consuming, these houses are more eco-friendly and visually interesting, since they come in distinct shapes and sizes. Be resourceful and creative with your household items, and in no time, you will find the perfect materials for a birdhouse.

How to Find the Perfect Pair of Binoculars

Whether you are a novice or a professional birder; binoculars are an essential tool. Like an extra pair of eyes, binoculars can help you to notice the imperceptible bird species in your backyard.

Here are some key factors to consider in your search for the best binoculars to buy.

• Size

While some binoculars have an excellent field of vision, they may be too hefty and bulky to carry with you constantly. Other binoculars may be more conveniently compact, but lack clear, accurate lenses and scope, which is why the National Audubon Society suggests avoiding compact sets. It’s best to choose a pair that’s medium in size, not too large or clunky and not too small or inaccurate. If you choose to buy a large set of binoculars, also think about buying a tote bag or backpack so you can easily take them with you on birdwatching excursions, beyond your own backyard.

• Price

Birdwatching is a fairly inexpensive outdoor recreation for the most part, which is why it can be difficult to decide the budget for binoculars. As with everything you purchase, if you choose to pay more for a product, it will generally be higher quality. Optics Reviewer suggests spending upwards of $200.00 (U.S.) for the most durable, usable binoculars, with the best range of vision. 

• Vision

This is the most important factor, because without a good range of vision, sharp focus, and clear, accurate lenses, a pair of binoculars is essentially worthless. There are so many different variations in magnification and accuracy, but most birdwatchers estimate 7 or 8 times magnification to be the best for everyday birding.

• Durability and Functionality

These two factors largely overlap. The more sturdy and strong a pair of binoculars is, the longer they will last on your many birding adventures. Accidents happen so make sure not to buy a fragile, weak pair. A practical and well-designed pair of binoculars will make it easier to spot birds and help you to enjoy your birding excursions even more. Don’t buy a pair that has a complicated anatomy, or is inflexible, because that will only lead to frustrations and annoyances in your birdwatching experience.

These factors can narrow your search but also make it more difficult to find the perfect pair of binoculars on your first try. That’s why; the best way to figure out the right pair of binoculars for you is to test them out before you buy them. By experimenting with binoculars weight, scope, and overall functionality, you can be like Goldilocks and find the pair that is “just right” for you.

If you want to continue the search for a pair of binoculars online before you buy, take a look at the sites below:

Binoculars/Optics by Sheltered Wings USA

All of the binoculars listed on this site are tested and approved by the National Audubon Society.

Optics Reviewer

Visit this site for a list of informational reviews on the best pairs of birdwatching binoculars that money can buy.

Simple Tips for Backyard Birdwatchers

You don’t have to travel to national parks like Yosemite, or scenic vistas like The Rocky Mountains to start spotting unique bird species. With the right eye, you can spot at least 100 bird species  just by looking around your own yard!

Follow these 4 simple tips to start bird-spotting in your backyard:

1. Place a feeder and a bird bath

Birds from all over will be attracted to your backyard by the prospect of fresh food and water.

Place the feeder and bird bath in safe spots near trees and bushes. If your yard does not have a lot of trees or other vegetation, installing birdhouses is another method you can use to attract birds. Position the feeder close enough to your home’s windows so you can observe birds without disturbing them.

Be sure to consider other weather factors, like exposure to the sun and wind, when placing your feeder. If you need more advice on feeder placement, visit backyardchirper.com for more helpful tips and tricks.

Keep in mind the types of birds you want to attract in choosing the type of birdseed you fill your feeder with. Use the guide “Choosing Bird Seed” to find out the birdseed preferences of the bird species you love.

2. Buy a pair of binoculars

A sturdy, perceptive pair of binoculars with a long scope is essential to birdwatching from a distance. Binoculars can also help you spot hard-to-see birds that can camouflage easily into surrounding bushes or treetops.

3.   Keep a notebook nearby

While some birds may lazily linger at your feeder for hours, others will fly off without a moment’s notice. It is important to take note of a bird’s color, size, beak shape and call so that you can identify unknown birds after they have disappeared.

You can look up birds you haven’t identified yet at informative sites like whatbird.com. If you are artistic, you can keep a sketchbook of all the different birds you have spotted in your backyard.

 4. Look out for birds in mornings and evenings

Birds can be active at any time of day, but most birds tend to be feeding in early mornings or late afternoons, around sunrise and sunset. Keep an eye on your feeder during these morning and evening hours to spot more birds.