-
Best Birdhouses in 2020…
Come with Free Nesting Materials!
Through March we’re giving away some organic premium nest materials with all birdhouses. North American songbirds adore our nest materials… even those who may not use a birdhouse will partake! A few of those non-cavity dwellers (who prefer to nest in trees and shrubs) include; cardinals, goldfinches, house finches, blue jays, robins and others.
Although the materials are found in nature, you might just jump-start the nesting process by offering the materials and having any existing birdhouses cleaned out and repaired if necessary… before birds are scouting! Unusually warm temperatures around most of the country have birds at least looking for the perfect home already.
Because backyard birding has become so popular, you may have seen all the DIY nesting material tutorials and posts on social media. If it’s on the web, it must be true… right?
Nope! Especially if you’ve seen this image or similar with yarn strings in a suet cage.
Please avoid! The DIY part is perfect and we do encourage it – but with natural, healthy and correct materials.
Refrain from anything with dye as its not found in nature and may be harmful to hatchlings and older nestlings alike. If using raffia, strings or stringy moss (Spanish moss) be sure to cut strips short. Two to three inches is plenty as strings may become tangled in little birdie feet! Should this occur, the bird’s circulation could be in danger- possibly constricting blood flow.
Should blue jays be terrorizing your hanging baskets, they’re most likely after the coco liner or moss for nest nest construction. Best to take an extra liner and cut pieces to place on the ground or in a suet cage.
We have several older blog posts on the subject… from years ago and prior to social media hype. Examples from our own yard show how easy it is to DIY safely and correctly.
Dryer lint: Steer clear! Even though it’s so soft & fluffy, fibers may contain dye which once again, are not found in nature.
Pet hair: Definitely a yes unless fido or fluffy is on medication or they’ve been treated with flea & tick products.
Always: Let birds do the interior decorating! Place nesting materials nearby so they can gather what works best in their own birdhouse.
You can encourage residency and have nesting birds grace your place this season… whether they use birdhouses or not!
Oh yeah… a few 2020 birdhouse models that rock!
-
Offer nesting materials early to further entice birds
Encourage birds to nest in your yard by offering them a good variety of nesting materials. Simple things you may likely already have around your home are fantastic, items which birds will use for nest building.Got a pet? Cat and dog hair are some favorites, as are feathers, and decorative mosses. Spanish moss, sphagnum moss, raffia and aspen fiber are perfect nesting materials birds will go for! Brightly colored cotton yarns add to the mixture also helps grab their attention. One of the tricks is to have your nesting materials out before the nesting season begins, and in plain view where birds will easily see them.
Lots of kits and fun holders are available for wild bird nesting materials. The Birdie Bell shown here actually does triple duty. It will hold fruit in summer for the more exotic, migratory birds, and seed bells or suet in winter to help sustain your regular crew. Come spring, simply fill the bell with nesting material. An item like this with year round usage is a good value. But truth be told… you can use a simple suet cage to offer nesting materials as well. Even the mesh produce bags from the grocery store (like the kind apples come in) will effectively hold nesting materials that birds can access.
So aside from the birdhouses and feeders, be sure there is a fresh water source too. Be it a creek or bird bath, all species of wild birds are drawn to water. And don’t forget: start gathering materials now that will entice feathered friends to take up residence! Happy Birding!
-
window bird feeders great for small spaces
Looking to attract feathered friends but don’t have much yard space? There are several proven options that will draw wild birds to the smallest of spaces.Water is an optimal choice, the smallest of birdbaths will entice birds…they love a consistent fresh water source. The bath need not be large or fancy either. Something as simple as a plant saucer on an upturned pot works quite well. Just keep the bath clean and the water fresh.
Another great option is window bird feeders. Plenty of styles are available, from trays or platforms, tube styles and hoppers, like the one shown here. The Canopy Window Bird Feeder adds a bit of charm with its cedar roof and tray. The overhang helps keep seed fresh, while the tray provides perching space for birds. It will accommodate most seed mixes, attracting a wide variety of birds.
Even in apartments, if you have a balcony, you can entice wild birds and bring yourself a bit close to nature!
Birding Tips, Information & News
