Want birds in your yard? The basics are simple: Feed them, keep your cat indoors (or put a bell on, so birds can hear him coming) and set things up near trees and other comfortable places to perch. Beyond the basics, the right wild bird supplies can really increase your chances of bringing their sound and color to your yard.

Here, then are five wild bird supplies that will make a big difference to you during the summer bird watching season, and beyond:

1) Wild Bird Food

It barely even needs to be said, but the way to a bird’s heart is through its stomach. The real question is: What do you put out for the birds? The answer depends on the season, your area and the type of birds you want to attract. Here are some matches from our catalog:

• Rich’s II Ultimate Variety: Seed-Eating Birds
• Rich’s II Fruit and Berry: Fruit and Nut-Eating Birds
• Rich’s II Gold Nyjer Seed: Finches (Finches, etc.)

2) A Wild Bird Feeder

Naturally, you don’t want to chuck wild bird food on the ground. Not only is it messy, but it attracts scavengers and makes the birds expose themselves to predators while they eat. A feeder is the answer, but there are lots of choices. Which ones are best for you? If you’ve got a modest property with minimal foliage one of our tube feeders might be a good choice. If you’ve got a big house with lots of space to hand things, or access to an old tree (or a stand of young ones) you can support a larger feeder. Our Monarch Electric Blue feeder is big and beautiful. It looks great hanging from a thick pine branch or household overhang.

You can get the best of both worlds with the Cardinal 3 Tube Bird Feeder. It’s a space-efficient, large feeder. You don’t need a spot to hang it because it’s post-mounted. It’s got a 10 lb seed capacity.

Most people will have to deal with squirrels. A tube feeder might work, but squirrels are agile critters. They can get in even the best-placed feeder unless it’s designed to keep them away. We carry several squirrel-proof models.

Local weather should mold your decision, too. Will your seeds stay  dry in a mesh feeder, or do you need to feed wild birds in all weather?

3) A Bird Bath

Birds need to drink as well as eat. Many people keep bird baths as garden decorations, but forget that a properly placed and cared for bath really can attract birds.

Keep the bird bath in a relatively open area. This helps birds watch for predators. Placing it under an overhanging branch means that spooked birds don’t have to fly far from the bath to reach a safe spot. Keep it clean and fill it with fresh water on a regular basis. Don’t fill it too deeply, or birds won’t venture beyond the edges. Some companies offer heated bird baths for the winter, too.

4) Another Feeder!

Seriously! Birds are territorial, so one of the best ways to attract them is to put out multiple feeders that are spread some distance from each other. You can also put different wild bird feed in each of them to attract a wider variety of species.

5) Cleaning Supplies

Finally, remember to keep your feeders, the areas around them and your bird bath clean. Not only does this prevent your yard from suffering the unpleasant side effects of being a popular wild bird hangout, but it increases its appeal to birds and ensures their health. Clean up about once a month.

A mix of one part bleach to nine parts water is all you need to clean your feeders and nearby surfaces. Clear droppings, spilled seed and other debris from the area. Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Healthy birds are more likely to make it through the winter — and if they’ve learned your feeders are the place to be, they’ll come back again and again.

Tags: squirrel-rpoof bird feeders, wild bird feed, wild bird feeder, wild bird food, wild bird seed, wild bird supplies

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 at 1:17 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.