How to attract fine-feathered creatures of varied species by ANNETTE JOYCE Oak Ridge resident Martha Pittman doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t interested in birds. Growing up, Pittman said she enjoyed watching the array of birds that were attracted to the many feeders her mother kept filled and listening to her father as he pointed out the various species of birds that crossed their path. Not surprisingly, as an adult Pittman carried her parents’ habits with her and began feeding the feathered creatures that flew within range of her own home. Pittman said she started out in the late ‘70s with a single feeder and a small bird bath on her deck. Today, her yard has seven feeders, some bluebird boxes and natural habitat to shelter the birds. She’ll add hummingbird feeders in the summer and landscape her yard to attract these busy birds as well as other pollinators. Pittman is one of a growing number of people who have become fascinated with attracting birds and providing them with food and shelter. According to “Science Daily,” an online resource for scientific research,
over 57 million households in the United States feed backyard birds. Most people feed the birds because of a desire to help wildlife or to connect with nature. Others do so simply because they enjoy watching the different birds that come to their feeders. Often people start out as Pittman did, with a single feeder, and continue to add feeders and birdhouses. But as a novice, where do you begin? While choosing from the vast array of feeders and food can seem overwhelming, the best advice when starting out is to do a little research before you jump in – and keep things simple.
Adobe Stock photo
Putting out a mixture of bluebird pellets and mealworms is a great way to attract bluebirds. Planting bird-friendly bushes also makes for a welcoming yard.
Feeders range from those that are basic and functional to those with highly decorative styles. Most feeders are designed for seed, but some are intended to hold packets of suet (animal fat), or in the case of
hummingbirds, sugar water. When selecting your bird feeder, look for one that is large enough to hold an ample amount of food. Especially in the winter, you don’t want to be outside filling up a feeder on a daily
basis. Also, if you have a large squirrel population, it’s a good idea to go with a feeder that will deter these persistent creatures from cleaning out the feeder before the birds even get a chance to fly by.
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JAN. 6 - 19, 2022
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