Daily flights



A Northern Cardinal and House Finches

 

            My backyard is an airport - hundreds of flights daily. During the fall the Yankees fly in from up north. And in spring they head back. I even have something that looks like a control tower.

               Only it's a full of sunflower seed.
               That's right; my airport is for the birds. (That's the last time I'll use that cliché - promise.)
               I like birds. I've been a birder for about 20 years. And I was feeding birds in my back yard before that.
               I came to like birding because I like the outdoors, and birding is a pretty good companion to camping, hiking or just walking in the neighborhood. But when I can't get out to find birds, I like bringing them to me. And that's the purpose of this site: birding from home.
               I'll be posting my observations here regularly. And I will provide some tips on identification. But I will also offer tips on stuff you need to attract birds.

               So lets get started with one of the basics.

             Where do you live?

              Birds are everywhere; cities, parks, the countryside ... everywhere. Open your window or door and chances are you'll hear them. Look out your window and you have a view into the world of birds. I often do a bird count when I'm walking for exercise. I have caught a cart ride with golfers, just to bird. Get more birds than the golfers do. Sometimes I camp with hunters.
               But the habitat around your home has a lot to do with what types of birds you see and when. I live in North Carolina, a pretty good place for seeing various species. Seasonal migration accounts for much of this variety. We are in spring now, so you will have a few different species around than during the summer or winter. For most of us in North America, the hummingbirds, chimney swifts, purple martins and many warbler species will soon be returning from South and Central America, where they hang out in the winter. But around here, the juncos, some woodpecker, nuthatch and wren species are still in town for the winter. Then there are species that hang out around your home all year. It just depends on where you are. Just keeping an eye outside will help you get an idea of how seasons affect what you see. Bird guides help, too. But we'll get to that later.
               Habitat is a big deal. If you live in a suburban area like I do, you'll have 30 or more species visiting your feeder at various times in the year. In the country, maybe even more. If you live in an urban area, there are plenty of species that don't mind hanging out around people. Crows have followed humans around for thousands of years. Pigeons are all over. And city folk may even get a glance at a falcon. They like pigeons. People who live around Central Park in New York, have lots of opportunities to get a glance at various species.
               If you have trees, shrubs or thickets in or around your yard, that's good. Birds like cover. People with elaborate gardens can get a lot of different birds at various times of the year.
               I have two pine trees and a line of tall shrubs in my back yard, all within 10-20 feet of my bird feeders. So my birds dart to and from the cover to feed up. 
           Just spend a few minutes each day looking out and making note of what you see. You'll get an idea of birds' behavior in relation to your habitat.
            And come back later for info on stuff birds like to eat ... and more.