Search Results for: blog the national great backyard bird count

How to Have a Campfire in the Backyard

Having a cozy campfire in the backyard is a great way to have a low-cost and fun activity that can be adapted for kids or adults. Have a campfire as a family activity, or invite the neighbors and friends for a nice social gathering. The first thing you need to do when planning to have a campfire in the backyard is to know what the rules are for open burning and campfires in your town. Some areas allow free open burning of organic material (including wood), while others limit the time of year, time of day, the size of the … Continue reading →

10 Fall Plants that Attract the Birds: Part 4

This morning, the kids and I hunted around the yard for pine cones. We wanted to slather them with peanut butter and roll them in birdseed as a Thanksgiving feast for the birds that visit us. Unfortunately, it looks like the squirrels might have gotten to them all, because there was not a single pine cone to be found, including the one that served outside of one of our fairy houses. Still, there are other ways of attracting the birds. I have been mentioning different fall plants that will work. We are now at the end of this list. Here … Continue reading →

10 Fall Plants that Attract the Birds: Part 3

Thanks to some of our fall plants and trees, and the inclusion of a large window bird feeder, our view out of our window is not lacking for the number of birds. The little things are always pleasant to watch, and their antics are enjoyable. Did you know that the plants that you add to your landscaping can greatly impact the number and type of birds that visit? If you missed the earlier posts on this topic click here: 10 Fall Plants that Attract the Birds and 10 Fall Plants that Attract the Birds: Part 2. 5. Perennial Sunflowers This … Continue reading →

10 Fall Plants that Attract the Birds: Part 2

In my household, the kids are just as excited to watch the birds outside of our dining room window as they are to watch television. I kid you not. Fall is when they put on the very best show. We have a large bird feeder, as well as some plants that tend to attract a colorful array of birdie personalities. In this series, I’ll be sharing some of the best plants (and trees) that attract birds in the fall. If you missed the first post, just click here. 3. Elderberry When I first spotted the elderberry on our property, I … Continue reading →

10 Fall Plants that Attract the Birds

Now that fall is here, we have been enjoying the cardinals for whom the pine tree outside of our dining room window appears to be particularly comforting. These bright red birds with the black masks are always a treat to enjoy, especially when they show off their colors against the green pine needles or the white winter snow that is sure to fall sometime in the next month or so. If you want to attract cardinals and other birds that may be visiting in the fall, consider providing them with a birdie buffet of all of their favorite plants. These … Continue reading →

Attracting Birds to Your Yard

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It doesn’t take a ton of effort to attract feathered visitors to your yard or patio. All you need to offer is food, water, and shelter. Providing food for your visiting birds doesn’t have to mean a bird feeder and a constant supply of seed. Flowering and fruit-bearing plants provide sustenance, as do plants that attract insects. Bugs are a good source of protein! When it comes to water, a traditional birdbath isn’t necessary, but can be an attractive addition to your outdoor space. A shallow dish filled with water (like a large plant saucer or even a snow disc) … Continue reading →

Identifying Backyard Birds: Mourning Doves

In the previous article, I shared the antics of our backyard cardinals, very regal birds, in my opinion. Now I’ll talk about another visitor to our backyard. This is one (well, many) bird that is really king of the bird feeder. All of the other birds make way. The mourning doves that come to visit our bird feeder are are gray-brown color. They aren’t much to look at as far as appearance, but they still entertain us with their antics. Perched in the trees, they often snuggle up to each other. And now that spring is on its way, we’ve … Continue reading →

Identifying Backyard Birds: Cardinals

Before moving to our current home last year, our ability to identify the wildlife in our backyard consisted of squirrels and street cars. Now, in our wooded yard, we are finding plenty of little critters that visit. We have been having fun identifying the birds, especially. I’d like to share some of the birds that come up to our dining room window. Do any of these birds visit you, too? Northern Cardinal The cardinal was the easiest bird for us to identify, and really the first one that grabbed our attention. The brilliant red color is hard to ignore. It … Continue reading →

The National Great Backyard Bird Count

Don’t miss out on the chance to participate in the National Great Backyard Bird Count. Not only will you be helping scientists determine migration patterns and breeding of wild birds, but you may also win a prize. So take some time to stop and view the birds, whether it is from your dining room window, like mine, or from a walk in the park, you’ll be sure to find a few to count. The Great Backyard Bird Count is taking place today through the Presidents Day weekend. You can participate by finding at least 15 minutes during the weekend to … Continue reading →

Ways You Can Contribute to Scientific Research

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Want to do something with your spare time that can help others? Get involved in a “citizen science project”. You don’t need a degree in science (or anything else) in order to participate. Consider contributing to any of the following projects. It has been said that volunteering is good for you. People who volunteer their time and energy to help others experience some benefits themselves. Volunteering is a great way to boost self confidence, to fight depression, and to stay physically healthy. It is also a great way to make new friends. The following science projects need people to help … Continue reading →