The ardent birdwatcher is always interested in investigating equipment that will bring a greater variety of birds to their backyard.
As you enjoy your hobby you might like to try a winter bird bath. This will allow the birds access to clean water to stay hydrated and to preen their feathers, an activity which helps to keep them warm. The bath has a thermostat that keeps the water from freezing so the birds can drink and bathe. A bird bath will need regular cleaning. Make sure you can easily get access to the bath to keep it clean. At some point it may be surrounded by snow. I have read that pennies will prevent algae growth in the water and that marbles, stones or pebbles in the bath will provide secure footing. However, on the coldest days the bird bath will have open water. You can choose between solar bird baths as well as cordless and electric.
Another piece of equipment everyone will enjoy is a bird feeder with a solar camera. With the camera connected to your phone, you can watch the birds at the feeder from any place in the world. You can record videos and photos, save them to your phone and share with friends and family.
An in-house breadbox window bird feeder is easy to install and gives a great close-up view of the birds. This would be a good feeder for senior citizens if they have support to keep the feeder clean.
All of this equipment is wonderful for the bird enthusiast. Talk to friends and family who have winter bird baths or feeders with cameras. If possible, visit their site to see how the equipment operates. Since cleanliness is a very important part of the bird-watching hobby, new equipment will add to the amount of time you will need to maintain a clean and safe environment for the birds.
Another task for the birdwatcher must be careful storage of bird seed. Your extra bird seed needs cool, dry storage and a container that can be securely closed. Bird seed that is scattered over the floor of your storage building will certainly attract mice and squirrels, so be scrupulous about keeping this area free of spilled bird seed.
My grandparents loved their bird feeder. They used their bird book to identify the birds and then kept careful lists of the birds that came to their feeder. I can still see them enjoying their new hobby and sharing the fun with friends and family. They also had family members who were there every day to maintain the feeder for them. Today they would be surprised by the variety of feeders and supporting equipment available for birdwatching.
(Rebecca Ryan is a lifelong resident of and gardener in the Bradford area. She retired from teaching at Bradford Area School District.)
