I always knew that feeding and watching wild birds could be a fun thing to do...we have always offered a selection of seeds, feeders, and suets at Appalachian Tails. I know of many great customers who are passionate about their birdwatching hobby and enjoy telling me about it when they are visiting and shopping in our store. But, I had never thought to put up my own feeder.
Until recently! And I wanted to share the experience with you. In short, I love it!
It started innocently enough. One day I just decided to bring home a feeder from the store. I dumped a wild bird seed mix in it and hung it from a tree in my front yard. To my surprise, within 1/2 hour, it was already being visited by little black, white and grey chickadees. I was hooked already, watching these birds grab individual seeds...dart up to a branch to crack and eat them...then flying back to the feeder. Little did I know that was just the beginning...
Within a day or two I had counted at least 15 different species of birds that had visited my feeder! A huge variety of different colors, shapes, sizes, sounds...it was incredible. I wanted to know what they all were so I picked up a field guide so I could identify them.
Cardinals, Blue Jays, Chickadees, House Sparrows, Golden Finch, Titmice, Mourning Doves, Rock Doves, Cowbirds, Orioles, Downy Woodpeckers, Red Breasted Woodpeckers, Grackles, Starlings, Purple Finches, Nuthatches...I have seen all of these and more at my feeder. Now I know why many people refer to wild birds as their "backyard pets". It is an absolute blast to watch and hear them...and they add a natural beauty to the environment.
Being hooked, I added a bird bath to a raised flower bed about 40 feet from the feeder, as well as a suet feeder. The bath seems especially appreciated by the birds during this summer, as I constantly witness them taking a drink and splashing in it. And the suet seems especially attractive to the little downy woodpeckers.
The natural world all around us is surely amazing. I've found that sitting down, even for a minute, and watching and noticing all the birds that live around us is very peaceful and fullfilling.
All in all, I now have another interest involving animals...watching wild birds in my yard! If you are already passionate about your "backyard pets"...or are thinking of setting up your first feeder, come talk to us. As we learn more about this great hobby we will be expanding our selection of feeders, seeds, suets and more! As always, we welcome your input too.
Thanks for reading and see you soon at Appalachian Tails!