DIY Bird Feeders & Beginner's Guide to Birdwatching: Enjoy Nature from Your Backyard

Introduction: Welcome to the delightful world of birdwatching—a relaxing and rewarding hobby that connects you with nature right from your own backyard. This guide will walk you through creating your own DIY bird feeders using simple household items and introduce you to the basics of birdwatching, including how to identify the birds that come to visit.

 

Building Your Own Bird Feeder: Creating a bird feeder is not only a fun DIY project but also a fantastic way to attract beautiful birds near your home. Here are a few easy types you can make:

 

 

1.1. Plastic Bottle Feeder

• Materials Needed: A clean plastic bottle, two wooden spoons, string, a small hook, and birdseed.
• Instructions:
  • Make small holes in the bottle for the spoons to slide through, creating perches.
  • Fill the bottle with birdseed, allowing it to spill slightly onto the spoons.
  • Secure the hook to the bottle’s neck and tie a string for hanging.

 

 Image via: Mum In The Madhouse

 

1.2. Teacup Feeder

• Materials Needed: A teacup and saucer, superglue, string.
• Instructions:
  • Glue the teacup to the saucer, tilted as if spilling out.
  • Attach a string for hanging or place it on a flat surface.
  • Fill the cup with birdseed.

 

 

1.3. Milk Carton Feeder

• Materials Needed: An empty milk carton, scissors, paint for decoration, string.
• Instructions:
  • Cut openings on the sides of the carton.
  • Decorate with non-toxic paint.
  • Punch a hole at the top, thread a string through, and hang from a tree.

 

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Beginner’s Guide to Birdwatching Birdwatching is easy to start; you just need to know what to look for and when. Here are some tips to get you started:

2.1. Getting Equipped

• Essentials: Binoculars, a field guide to birds, and a notebook for observations.

2.2. Learning to Identify Birds

• Tips:
  • Observe the size, shape, color patterns, and behaviors.
  • Listen for distinctive calls and songs.
  • Note the time of day and season as some birds are more active at specific times.

2.3. Common Spring Birds

• Examples: Robins, sparrows, finches, and blue jays. Describe their appearances and sounds to help beginners identify them.

 

 

Conclusion: Birdwatching can be a peaceful and educational hobby, perfect for enhancing your appreciation of the natural world. With your new DIY bird feeders, you’re ready to attract a variety of birds and observe them from the comfort of your home. Happy birdwatching!

We recommend checking out the National Geographic Backyard Guide To Birds Here