Best-Ever Backyard Birding Tips: Hundreds of Easy Ways to Attract the Birds You Love to Watch

by Deborah L. Martin

Grab a front row seat for the sights and sounds of feeding, nesting, and bathing birds right in your backyard using these tips shared by experienced birders. Whether the aim is to attract tiny hummingbirds or large and raucous blue jays, or lay out the welcome mat for temporary visitors stopping in during their seasonal migration, "Best-Ever Backyard Birding Tips "explains how to play up various landscape features and how to appreciate what happens in the backyard "birdscape." The book targets all skill levels, offering new birders a few basics while intriguing longtime birders with new ideas. Here readers will learn: -why moving water, even a single dripper, will make a difference in which birds visit the yard-how to plan an entire bird garden that offers food, shelter, and water for bathing and drinking-what seeds and foods appeal to birds at different times of the season-how to attract new species of birds no matter which region of the country they live in-what type of shelter keeps baby birds safe until they are ready to leave the nest Birders will enjoy reading features such as "Everybody Wins" (birding practices that benefit nature and the environment) and "Budget-Wise Birding" (free or inexpensive ways to feed and attract birds). They'll also find step-by-step illustrations for installing a water feature, building a simple tray feeder, and converting a craft-style birdhouse into a suitable residence.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Birds, Nature

356 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Claire Binkley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Specifically this one has excellent ways to get everyone to visit your yard.

ETA: While trying not to curse out the dog, I found the best tip to make my backyard much louder is to add water and a little bit of seed.

[Jane White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and well-rounded book for anyone looking to attract (and identify) birds to their backyard. Also helpful in learning how to identify various birds in the wild, birds that may not visit your feeders.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for all bird lovers!

[Birdie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Birdwatching is a fun and fascinating hobby that can be enjoyed anywhere, but it is especially rewarding when you can do it from your own home. Whether you are new to the hobby or a well-seasoned birdwatcher, you will find something to crow about in this book. It is chockablock full of tips to draw birds in for a closer look. Budget-wise birding ideas that cost next-to-nothing can be implemented right away. Suggestions for bird-friendly plants will appeal to gardeners, and chapters on hummingbirds, raptors, and pests provide specifics for those critters. The "Take a Closer Look" sections offer more in-depth information on backyard favorites, what foods they prefer, and how they raise their young. From seeds and feeders to houses and water features, there is something for everyone. Let this book open your eyes to the wonders of surroundings brimming with beautiful birds!

[Alivia Biko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read for beginning birders about types of birds & what you can do to attract birds to your yard-- what they eat, what kind of habitat suits them, etc. Not for advanced birders, but a
lot of great information.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

many great tips...

[Michael Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cram full of information.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repetitive.

[Ami Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great advice and plenty of ideas on how to get more birds in your yard.