by DJ Featherton

During my college and teaching years my wife and I bought an old farm in the upper Mississippi valley. In those “John Denver” days, old non-working farms became popular as “hobby farms” for us folks who worked in town. All four changing seasons were beautiful, and the woodland birds were spectacular. Cardinals, evening and rose breasted grosbeaks, finches, nuthatches, towhees, chickadees, and so many more. We needed a bird feeder! 

I found an old rusted horse drawn corn planter in the tall weeds behind the barn . After dragging this relic up to the yard, I made three simple wooden platform feeders and strategically secured them to the planter. Bazoom! It was an immediate success for the birds, fun for me and my wife, and some artsy design for the backyard. We had a bird feeder! 

And then our education began. What kinds of birds eat what kinds of feed? What’s the pecking order and who’s hogging all the seed? How do I keep the seed dry? How do I keep the unwanted birds away? AND, how do I keep the seed on the feeder when some of the birds toss their head throwing most of the seed on the ground? This started to make a little unwanted ecosystem of its own. Cats and mice and rats, an occasional raccoon, an opossum, and even a snake or two!  Also, don’t forget about the sudden strike of a “Sharpy” or Cooper’s Hawk that likes to snack on the Juncos. And who knows what the heck goes on out there in the middle of the night? I made a mess!

Well, my hobby farm days are over, and I’m not listening to a lot of John Denver anymore. However, I’ve learned a lot about feeding the birds. Sunflower seed is one of the best, and so is thistle seed. Corn seed has it’s place with some birds. Safflower seed is a winner and keeps the squirrels away. Your standard grocery store bird mix is cheap. BTW, while at the grocery store don’t forget to ask the meat market for some suet to feed the woodpeckers. Birds are seasonal and migrate, so different feed is usually needed for different times of year. Example: Woodpeckers like suet mostly in winter. Keep your seed dry. A metal container that has a tight lid is the best because a mouse or more will sniff the seed and eat right through heavy plastic containers. 

All of this leads to beautiful decorative backyard bird feeders that are simple to manage and are successful for your birds. With today’s rapid growth and popularity in birds and birding, there are hundreds of aesthetic and functional backyard and patio feeders available. The online stores have about every design imaginable, and pricing is terrific. There are clear feeders that clamp onto your kitchen window, beautiful blown glass colored feeders for hummingbirds, and glass bird baths that contain a solar fountain that attracts the birds. Though not for me, I knew a family that had a huge bird feeder in their front yard that had a speaker system that brought the chirping right into the house! And, how about a wire mesh hanging container for only nesting material? Have some fun. Be creative. There’s so much to choose from to make your backyard special.