Backyard Nature in the Winter

Most people give little thought to nature in the wintertime. People like to stay inside where it’s warm and dry. Outside excursions are preferably just a quick dash to the car. This is quite natural and, after all, human activities like eating and socializing can take...

Providing for Fall Migrants

Whenever my family goes on long automobile trips, we never have to worry about finding places to eat and sleep. However, songbirds traveling through southeastern Pennsylvania in the fall undoubtedly have a hard time. Much of our area is paved over and built up. Even...

Bird Feeding – Beyond the Basics

Last month’s column gave information on the location and types of feeders to attract a variety of birds. This month I will cover types of food, keeping feeders clean, thwarting squirrels, and attracting uncommon birds. Black oil sunflower: This seed is the preference...

Bird Feeding – The Basics

When I was growing up, my mother had a bird feeder, but I never saw many birds there. I guess there were finches and chickadees, but not much else. The squirrels helped themselves freely, and my mother got discouraged. The feeder stood empty for many years. Years...

Attracting Woodpeckers

Offering suet and peanuts is a sure way to attract some kinds of woodpeckers to your yard. Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers will visit your feeders year round to consume these foods. Hairy Woodpeckers will come, too, provided there are some mature trees in the...

Attracting Hummingbirds

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the favorite backyard bird of most of us who love birds. We adore watching this tiny sprite zip around the garden, dipping into flower after flower with its long bill. Incredibly, it can hover in front of a blossom, motionless except...