Birds typically eat insects, seeds, fruits, nuts and berries. When you are planning your backyard environment, you should include species of flowers to attract insects and spiders. For fruits, nuts and berries, chooses a variety of plants, shrubs and trees which will continue to produce food as the seasons change. Another option is birdfeeders. The most common food for birdfeeders is sunflower seeds along with corn and millet. There are different styles of birdfeeders with different feeding areas to attract various species of birds including hanging feeders, platform feeders, tube feeders and suet (for birds to eat insect) feeders.

Safe water, free of pollutants and away from predators is extremely important to birds. Birds use water for drinking, bathing and cleaning their feathers. If you choose a birdbath, make sure it has some rough edges so the birds can get solid footing Birds are attracted to the sound of running or moving water so if you are lucky enough to have a stream, you have a great start. Ponds or pools should have stones, pebbles or sand for the birds.

Providing shelter or cover will protect the birds when they feed and nest. Many birds like to scrounge for food on the ground and look for areas where they can’t be seen by potential enemies. They also need place to build their nests. A combination of dense twigs, shrubs, plants and trees along with thorny plants such as roses with shield the birds. You should also have some open grassy areas. The greenery and shrubbery will also provide great nesting material for the wild birds. You can also set up nest boxes which will provide a place for hole-nesters and their babies since most backyards won’t have their normal habitat, dead trees. You can also either buy or build bird houses in your backyard, providing a safe haven from the wind, rain and cold.

One of the simplest ways not to scare birds away from your backyard and providing happy safe area to raise their young is to keep other animals away, especially cats. Following these easy tips and you will be able to enjoy many wild birds calling your backyard home.

1.) Get a book.

Most bird watchers are not experts on our fine feathered friends from the start. Instead of thinking, a bird is a bird is a bird, think again! Birds are a fabulous species that are as diverse as any other set of creatures on this earth. Furthermore, most birds are readily identified by their coloration, so choose a book that has many color pictures suitable for matching the bird in the sky with the correct one in the book. Bird books are available for all different types of bird watchers, from children to adults interested in learning more about birds that the color of their feathers. Also, consider choosing a book with information about bird tracks, since you will be able to determine what types of birds are in the area by the tracks they make.

2.) Listen to the music.

Even if you cannot see the bird, you will be able to identify the bird through its song. In order to be able to correctly identify birds by sound, consider investing in a CD of bird songs. These are readily available for every budget, just be sure to choose a CD that identifies the species of bird that is doing the singing. Consider involving the entire family in learning how to identify birds by their songs, as these CDs are excellent ways to keep the whole family entertained on long car trips.

3.) Join a club.

The old saying, “birds of a feather flock together” also applies to bird watchers. There are groups all over the country-and the world where bird watchers join to socialize and converse about the different birds they have seen. If you are a new bird watcher, these groups will be great in getting you into the hobby, since most bird watchers have already learned how to identify birds by both sight and sound. Furthermore, bird watching clubs have a great deal of fun by organizing unique activities that incorporate their favorite hobby.

4.) Bring the birds to your yard.

Bird lovers and bird watchers often strive to entice birds to their yards, especially during the harsh winter months when food and proper shelter may be hard to find. Start by outfitting your yard with a bird bath, bird houses, and bird feeders. Depending on your location in the world and the types of birds that are native to your area, you should work to provide the correct food and houses for those species. Also, you may want to consider investing in a heated bird bath, especially if you live in cold climates where winter’s wrath can freeze the water in the bath, preventing your feathered friends from enjoying the water. Also, consider planting specific flowers and plants in your yard that will draw birds to your home. In addition to bringing beauty to your yard, these bird friendly plants will invite your flying pals to your home.

However you decide to begin bird watching, do so immediately! Many individuals who experience stress-filled lives find that bird watching is the perfect activity to unwind and release the stresses and pressures of their work or home life.

Phoenix also, for some reason, will potty where ever he happens to be standing…on the concrete under the basketball hoop, in front of his kennel, right in front of the garage door, WHERE EVER…

We get frusturated with him but also laugh because he is so adorible…maybe thats our first mistake. LOL

Tip 2: Create a “proverb.” We tend to look down on soundbites, thinking that “shortness” must mean oversimplification.  But use proverbs as your inspiration.  Proverbs are short phrases that carry profound meaning — think of the wisdom that is packed into a short sentence such as, “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.”

Tip 3: Be concrete. Being concrete helps people make decisions and take action.  The Saddleback Church in California has defined a fictional couple, Saddleback Sam and Samantha, who embody the prototypical traits of the kind of community member that the church wants to reach.  It’s easier for the members to plan outreach activities when they have “Sam and Samantha” in mind, as compared to a more abstract description, such as a “dual-income, upper middle-class, professional couple.”

Tip 4: Use stories. People will remember your stories, not your pontifications.  Aesop’s Fables have endured for centuries, but Aesop’s Thesis Sentences wouldn’t have made it 10 minutes.  Choose your stories carefully, so that after the fact, your audience can reconstruct your core meaning, just like we can do with “The Fox and the Grapes.”

Tip 5: Use an analogy. You can get across complex ideas quickly by making use of what people already know.  That’s what analogies do — they create links between new ideas and ideas that people have already learned.  Movies in Hollywood, for example, are pitched in terms of analogies to other movies.  The movie that became Alien was pitched as “Jaws on a spaceship.”  That pitch conveys a tremendous amount of information in four words. 

Tip 6: Allow people to test for themselves. People love to try before they buy.  The same is also true with your ideas.  Give people a “test” that allows them to confirm, for themselves, whether your idea is credible.  For instance, the Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?” campaign depended on the customer’s ability to see that Wendy’s meat patties were larger than those of the competition.

Tip 7: Create a curiosity gap. Research says that we feel curious when there’s a gap between what we know and what we want to know.  You should tease your audience with what they don’t know.  For instance, think of how your local evening news programs promote themselves:  “There’s a drug sweeping thru high schools — and it may be in your medicine cabinet!”

Tip 8: Focus on individuals, not the “big picture.” Mother Teresa once said, “If I look at the mass, I will never act.  If I look at the one, I will.”  Many charities attract our support by focusing on specific human beings — “For $20 a month, you can sponsor Rokia, a 7-year-old girl, in Kenya” — rather than huge abstract causes, such as African poverty.  This phenomenon works just as well in business contexts.  Don’t talk about “improving customer service,” talk about how specific people should behave differently.

Tip 9: Use human-scale statistics. It is hard to make numbers stick, but when you must use statistics to boost your argument, make sure to frame them in a way that they can be understood.  For instance, it’s hard to picture the scale of a $300 million government program.  But it’s easier to picture the scale when you describe it as a program that spends about a dollar annually on every man, woman, and child in the United States.

Tip 10: Say 1 thing, not 5 things. A famous trial lawyer said, “If you say five things, you say nothing.”  It’s vital that we strip down our idea to its core.  A famous example of useful simplicity was the theme of the 1992 Clinton presidential campaign, written by James Carville: “It’s the economy, stupid.”

Copyright © 2009 Chip and Dan Heath co-authors of Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

Author Bios
Chip Heath, co-author of Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, is a professor of organizational behavior in the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. He lives in Los Gatos, California.

Dan Heath, co-author of Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, is a Consultant to the Policy Programs of the Aspen Institute. A former researcher at Harvard Business School, he is a co-founder of Thinkwell, an innovative new-media textbook company. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.

http://www.madetostick.com/

The great thing about birding is that is it a hobby that you can participate in anywhere – even in your own backyard. Infact, Backyard birding is not only exciting and enjoyable, it is also a very low cost way of observing nature.

There is over nine hundred species of birds in the United States alone. No matter how you stack it, that number means that the hobby can take you to far off locales and be exciting for a lifetime.

The basics of backyard birding are simple. There are two considerations and both of these are equipment-based thoughts that you will need to work with. The first important decision will be choosing the binoculars you will use. This is probably the most important piece of equipment that you will buy for the hobby. Without a good pair of binoculars then bird watching is nearly impossible to say the least. Not only should you consider the quality of the binoculars. You should also make sure the comfort level matches your personal preferences.

For backyard birding, pocket binoculars are usually sufficient because the birds will be in relatively close proximity.

During certain months, the sights of natural birdlife may be scarce but there are many ways of making your garden attractive to many different birds and enjoying their presence for most of the year.

There are a few ways that you can make your garden more suitable for backyard birding. These methods are:

1. Installing a Bird House: This is one of the most common methods and, best of all, birds love them. No matter what the weather a house can provide shelter against any kinds of weather and birds can have something to eat or drink during their stay.

2. Fitting a Bird Bath: For people who love bird watching there is nothing nicer than watching birds frolic in a bath while you sit comfortably inside or lounge in your garden.

3. Having Large Trees: As the winter months start to creep in, birds need to prepare their nests ready for the birth of their young and it creates a beautiful atmosphere. There is nothing nicer than watching birds twittering away from the trees. Greenery such as conifers almost guarantees visitors all year round. Overall, these are common features that can be found in any garden, but birds love them and this will mean an ultimate experience for you and your family.

With these backyard birding tips, you should be able to enjoy bird watching from the comfort of your own home.

The first thing the birds need is food. A simple bird feeder with mixed seed can provide your birds with food, or you can go for something more complex, to attract more species of birds.

Thistle seed will attract many species of birds, such as some finches, that other wise would not come. Likewise, you may want to put out suet, or other “special” foods to attract more birds. Of course, during the summer, put out a hummingbird and/or an oriole feeder.

The second very important thing birds need is shelter. Birds have many predators out to catch them – everything from hawks to cats. Some people will go so far as to build brush piles in their yards to shelter birds, but that is rather unsightly, to say the least. An easier solution is to plant a flower bed filled with some evergreen bushes, ground cover, etc. It will look great, and provide a haven for birds.

Another thing that you can offer birds is a bath. You can provide them with a typical water bird bath, or you can provide them with a dust bath. A dust bath can be as simple as a patch of sand underneath the bird feeder. Nothing fancy is required!

Last, but not least, you’ll probably want to provide your birds with nesting houses – a safe, dry place for the to raise their families! Of course, be sure that you choose appropriate houses for the species of birds that you have nesting in your yard. If you’re fortunate, you might get to watch a pair of birds raise their young – few things are more exciting to watch.

In summary, give birds what they need and want, and they will come to your yard – and you can enjoy their colorful beauty.

For finches place specially designed thistle feeders that hold the small thistle feeds that they love. Other speciality bird feeders include hummingbird feeders to hold nectar, woodpecker feeders and jay feeders. Tube feeders are designed to prevent seeds spilling on the ground and keep the seeds dry. You could also set up a window feeder to see the birds from the comfort of your room.

Always check the food regularly to make sure it is dry and free from mold and clean up around the feeder to deter wasps, ants and other predators. If squirrels are a problem in your garden be sure to purchase a squirrel proof bird feeder.

Provide Fresh Water for the Birds

Wild birds need a source of fresh water for both drinking and bathing. You could provide this with water pans or bird baths. Place water containers at various levels as some birds prefer ground level, others will be attracted to water placed at a higher level. Place any water sources away from bird feeders as birds prefer a quiet place for bathing and preening. Attract the birds to your water source with a water dripper placed in the bird bath or a mister in the trees. The gentle sounds of running water will attract the birds and many birds enjoy a bath below the dripper or in a mister as it simulates raindrops on their feathers.

During the winter months a heated bird bath or one fitted with a de-icer will ensure the water is always at the right temperature and available for the birds.

Provide a Natural Environment

Let a part of your garden grow wild and scatter wild flower seeds through the area to provide a natural environment for the birds. hang bird feeders from trees or posts in this area. This will enhance the sense of security for the birds.

Your bird house must be a safe place for birds to nest and bring up their young. Here are some tips for making your bird house proof from squirrels, yellow jackets, snakes, cats, wasps, ants and other invasive birds.

Perches

There is no need to have any perches in your bird house. The nesting birds do not need them and they only provide a means for predators to gain entrance. many bird houses come with a perch under the entrance hole. Remove it!

Baffles

A bird house mounted on a pole can have baffles fitted to prevent predators from climbing the pole and gaining entrance to the bird house. A metal baffle is preferable as it cannot be chewed. A bird house mounted on a tree can also have baffles attached to the tree trunk.

Metal plates

A metal plate fitted with a small entrance hole can be placed over the original hole on the bird house. This will prevent predators from enlarging the hole to gain entrance.

Entrance Hole

use a bird house with a small entrance hole that is just large enough for the species of bird you wish to attract. A larger hole will allow invading birds to gain entrance and eject the baby birds inside.

Ants Nests

Regularly check around the bird house (and bird feeders if you have them) for ants nests. Deal with them quickly using a method that is not harmful to wild birds.

Metal Poles

For bird houses mounted on metal poles slip a large PVC pipe over the pole before mounting the bird house. This will deter squirrels, snakes and raccoons from climbing up to the bird house. You could also smear vegetable oil on the pipe.

Cats

Fit your cat with a collar with a bell to prevent her sneaking up on the birds.

Garden parties on warm summer evenings are a pleasure to look forward to. Here are 10 easy ways to decorate your outdoor space with light without breaking the budget.

1) Illuminate driveways, paths, stairs, pool decks, and dark corners with paper bag lanterns made from tealights and brown paper lunch bags. Place few rocks inside each lantern as anchors.

2) Make a small investment in easy-to-install solar path lighting. There is no wiring of any kind and the light fixture can be moved around as needed (around $30 each).

3) Place citronella candles and tiki torches around seating areas to deter insects. Make sure they are not too close to the food, as the smell can overpower flavors.

4) Lace decorative paper Chinese lanterns, or inexpensive multi-colored, themed, or bright white sting lights through railings, patio umbrellas, and pergolas.

5) Place candles, tea-lights, votives or fabric lanterns on buffet tables and bars. Remember to keep candles in a safe container or candle holder.

6) Float candles in bird baths, pools or ponds. Floating solar lights are also available.

7) Create dance floor by hanging mini-disco ball from a tree branch and pointing a spotlight at it.

Use retro lava lamps and fiber-optic domes or globes for themed lighting that’s funky and fun.

9) Fill mason jars with about five centimeters of sand, then drop in a tea light for a safe but pretty light that won’t go out in a breeze. Place a row along the side of a path and on each stair.

10) Adorn flea market or thrift store chandeliers holding tea lights and hang from an overhead support or canopy.

—————————————————-

Shop & Browse Solar Pumps on Sale Now!

—————————————————-

Escaping from the turbulent, chaotic mess of our everyday work schedule, itâ??s one of lifeâ??s finest rewards to simply recline in the luxury of your very own backyard. And in the midst of singing birds and sunshine, to hear the beautiful burble of cascading falls and rippling waters. No feeling is quite the same, nor as beautiful a sight.

Generally people become so tangled up with locating their new waterscape in just right spot or finding that perfect contractor, that they often forget to put any consideration into the pump that will power their new monument of splendor. While all those other things are important, your water pump is quite possibly the most essential piece you can find without the need of an expensive contractor. Especially with the popular solar options available today.

Some people just plug-and-chug using outlet power from their homes, but thatâ??s not only the least cost effective solution but also environmentally aloof. Thatâ??s right. Aloof.

One can save money as well as lessen the impact on the environment by installing solar powered pond pumps rather than using expensive power from the grid. The average American will spend $8 – $12 a year just powering their old water pumps. More sophisticated solar pumps generate their own electricity at no cost to you, and cleanly! The electric plants today are still too often using coal and leaving a massive carbon footprint on the earth. Donâ??t get stuck as one of the many who contribute to the abuse of our planet. The sunâ??s energy comes for free and is one of the best resources of electricity, not to mention completely carbon neutral. The solar phenomenon takes the burden off your pocket, and your ecologically aware soul!

Solar pond pumps are also incredibly versatile. You will find their use in a number of configurations like for waterfalls, fountains, streams, ponds, reflecting pools, water gardens, and many other creative landscape designs. Solar pumps also come in submersible and external models.

Worried about your new investment breaking? Todayâ??s solar panels arenâ??t what they used to be in the science labs decades ago. Now commercial-use panels are manufactured to withstand strong wind, rain, hail etc. Gone are the days when solar power was considered to be a high maintenance complication. The solar panels of our time are robust, reliable solutions that will never be on your mind to worry.

You will find solar pumps in a variety of sizes as well. From the smallest bird bath fountain to the largest cascading waterfall, these solar pond pumps fit for your every need. Whether you want to set up a scale model of â??Old Faithfulâ?? in the backyard or would just like a bird bath on the patio, there are boundless possibilities to suit your style.