My favorites for backyard bird watching
June 26, 2020
Share this
Since we moved into this house nearly three years ago I've become an avid bird watcher. I think it's because we have such big picture windows and we can easily see right out to the back. I find great joy in watching them and keep adding to their accommodations around our yard. I've officially turned into my father. :)
Is this what happens when you get older? Ha! Or maybe I'm just enjoying the simple things more as I age. Let's go with that.
I wanted to show you a few of the things I've picked up for the birds lately and then some favorite items I've used for years. You know, in case you want to become a bird geek like me.
I didn't show you a close up of the new bird bath when I shared the patio tour last week:
Are you an avid bird watcher? I mean, in your backyard at least? :) I actually considered buying some binoculars the other day so I can see some of them better. 😂 You better believe when we plant more trees in the back I'll be adding more feeders!
See more of our home here. To shop items in our home, click here! Never miss a post by signing up to get posts via email.
Is this what happens when you get older? Ha! Or maybe I'm just enjoying the simple things more as I age. Let's go with that.
I wanted to show you a few of the things I've picked up for the birds lately and then some favorite items I've used for years. You know, in case you want to become a bird geek like me.
I didn't show you a close up of the new bird bath when I shared the patio tour last week:
This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.
See my policies and disclosure page for more information.
It's actually quite cute. I found it at Lowe's and it's a bird feeder with a planter underneath:
I love it! I thought the combo of the two was such a good idea.
The birds love it too! It's pretty shallow so I do have to keep up with adding water every few days.
I found this solar fountain for the bath and was super impressed with how well it works!:
It just floats around -- if it's in full sun it works great. It does not hold any kind of charge, so as soon as it hits any shade it will stop working.
See how high it throws out the water?:
It comes with different caps to change the fountain if you'd like.
We don't keep it out there all of the time because it tends to float to the edge so the water is thrown out of the bird bath. If it runs out of water but is still in the sun the motor will keep running -- and it can get loud!
I plan to add tie a rock or something to the bottom to keep it from moving around so much. I'm super impressed with how powerful it is though! It would be great in a small water feature.
I found this Adirondack chair feeder years ago at Lowe's and it's my absolute favorite:
The birds love it even more! It's so easy for them to fly up and eat what they want.
Unfortunately I can't find anywhere but Tractor Supply anymore. Lowe's and a few other places used to carry it. As you can see, our Blue Jays love it. :)
The cardinal couple we have nearby visits often as well:
Sometimes they knock some of the seeds out, but they always eat what lands on the ground too. I like having this one close to the house so we can see the birds up close.
Another one of my favorites is this tire swing bird feeder:
I've had one for years just because it is seriously the cutest thing ever. It's very small though, so you'll need to fill it often.
I prefer open feeders because I can fill them so easily. These basket-type hanging bird feeders are so convenient:
We have a ton of squirrels around here, but I never see them on these. It could very well be I'm just not seeing them, but we don't seem to have a big problem with them eating everything.
This cute little bird house option from Magnolia is another one I plan to get soon:
That one and the tire swing would be great for smaller, younger trees!
I got this window bird feeder for my Dad last year and I like that you can see the birds up so close! I also love this camper bird feeder -- how cute is that!
Here's a list of the bird feeder/products I use and love again if you're interested in becoming a bird nerd like me:
- Bird bath with planter
- Tire swing bird feeder
- Hanging metal basket feeder
- Solar bird bath fountain
- Adirondack chair bird feeder
Are you an avid bird watcher? I mean, in your backyard at least? :) I actually considered buying some binoculars the other day so I can see some of them better. 😂 You better believe when we plant more trees in the back I'll be adding more feeders!
See more of our home here. To shop items in our home, click here! Never miss a post by signing up to get posts via email.
Doesn't the metal bath get super hot in summer?
ReplyDeleteIt sure is cute!
I just started this year and can't believe how much I am enjoying it. I do have squirrel issues. I might have been seen chasing one across my lawn one morning in my underwear after I caught him climbing the feeder pole. 😅
ReplyDeleteIve taught my dog to chase the squirrels. She does awesone
DeleteOh my, these are so cute! I wish I could bird-watch here in Hong Kong. Animals are nonexistent in our polluted city haha! ❤️✨
ReplyDeleteCharmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
I just started this year also. I suppose from being home due to the quarantine. I have tried several types of feeders this year. I was really liking the suet cage because it's so easy then the black birds found it and demolished a cake in under a day. So I gave up on that idea. I also found a sweet old concrete bird bath and love it. It's so cute watching them splash around.
ReplyDeleteMake your own suet cakes. I make a big batch and freeze them in little square plastic containers the size of the suet cage. I bought the little suet cages and fill them with my own mix. Since it calls for peanut butter and lard it melts in hot weather.
DeleteI turned into a bird nerd years ago. I love watching them & the squirrels. Good therapy! Beautiful patio! Enjoy!!!
DeleteIf you buy binoculars for bird watching be sure they are light weight....makes a big difference when holding them steady for more than a couple of minutes. I wish I had known.
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy if my problem was with squirrels. We have bears! There are two bears (Shorty and Lefty) who make occasional appearances as they make their rounds. I have a double suet feeder from Tractor Supply that is in a cage and has a lid that prevents larger birds from eating the suet. It has survived several bear attacks so it's pretty sturdy as well..looks a little worse for wear, but still works.
ReplyDeleteLOL.. my issue too.. 5 different bears plus a mother and her two very young cubs. I've had to modify my feeders on to bungie cords so if they pull them down they don't get ripped of their hanging cords and take off with the feeder to the back bush. Bears, squirrels and birds habitat quite well around here 🤗
DeleteLove your posts! I heard the little fountain moving around in the water helps keep the mosquitos from laying eggs in the bird bath.
ReplyDeleteI've been using eBird and Merlin to ID/track our birds. We recently moved to a new state and it has been so helpful! Both are free. Our cats love watching the bird feeder. We also have found a chipmunk and we feed him sunflower seeds on the patio. :)
ReplyDeletehttps://ebird.org/home
https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/download/
I have a huge squirrel problem.i dont mean the squirrel s are huge .just lots of them.
ReplyDeleteSo I have resorted to greasing the metal pole ..it works pretty well.
You have shown some of the best bird feeders. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteI have become a home bird watcher since COVID. We have 2 seed feeders, suet and a hummer feeder. I also get photos of our visitors.
ReplyDeleteThere is no shame in being a bird nerd. I have been one for 35 years! Happy birding!
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a bird nerd! When he was a child, he would spend the summers with his grandparents who didn't have TV. He entertained himself by bird watching over their 800 acre Texas ranch. He can identify a bird a mile away! I love how bird watching is getting so popular during these crazy times. One of the nice things that have come from the cover-19 lock down.
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend the BirdGenie app for your phone. I allows you to record a bird's song and it gives you information about the bird.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.birdgenie.com/