Spring is a great time to feed the birds. Keep in mind that if you live in bear country, as I do, you should keep your feeders up very high so the bears can’t reach them.
This spring we put up some new feeders including a hummingbird feeder. It’s a lot of fun to see the different songbirds that come and snack on what we leave them. From pretty yellow goldfinches to elegant blue birds and more, my family and I have been enjoying watching them come and go.
It’s been a learning experience as well. If we see a bird we don’t recognize we look it up in a book.
Try different types of seeds as they attract different birds. Our thistle feeder is the one that attracted the elegant gold finches.
Hummingbirds are one of our favorite birds to watch. They are really amazing little birds. Did you know a hummingbird only weighs only 3 grams and are the only bird species that can fly backwards? Hummingbird feeders are smaller and usually come in colors that are known to attract these amazing creatures. You can make your own nectar out of sugar and water, but if you buy a feeder it usually comes with a mix.
If you don’t want to feed them (or attract bears) get a good pair of binoculars and watch them. Bird-watching or birding as it’s known is a fun and inexpensive activity for every member of the family.
What are your favorite birds to feed and watch? Share here.
Sandi Duncan is the Managing Editor of the Farmers' Almanac. 
If you notice a hole in the upper left-hand corner of your Farmers' Almanac, don't return it to the store! That hole isn't a defect; it's a part of history. Starting with the first edition of the Farmers' Almanac in 1818, readers used to nail holes into the corners to hang it up in their homes, barns, and outhouses (to provide both reading material and toilet paper). In 1910, the Almanac's publishers began pre-drilling holes in the corners to make it even easier for readers to keep all of that invaluable information (and paper) handy.
4 comments
Just wondering what is best to use to attract bluebirds.What type of feed or flowers will attract them? Thanks, love little blue birds, think they are beautiful.
I am totally addicted! Bought an oriole feeder this morning to try and lure the beautiful orange bird back.
A beautiful orange oriole greeted us near the feeder this morning. He never did get to the feeder, just sat on a wire watching.
We are also seeing lots of birds due to our bird feeders. Two favorites this year have been the red breasted woodpecker and the Grosbeaks.