Backyard birding

By Lisa Justice

Special to the Enterprise 

Winter can be a great time to observe birds in your own backyard.  Birds that spend their winter in the Davis area are always on the lookout for something to eat.  By providing a reliable food source for local birds in your backyard you can create a wonderful opportunity to observe wildlife from the comfort of your own home. 

And the best part is that you don’t even need a fancy birdfeeder.  You can make your own with a pinecone and a few simple supplies around the house. 

You’ll need a pinecone, a piece of string, some peanut butter, a table knife or spatula, a shallow dish and some birdseed. 

Use the table knife or spatula to spread peanut butter on the pinecone.  The peanut butter helps the birdseed stick and may also attract some other interesting wildlife like squirrels for you to observe.  If you’re allergic to peanut butter, you can substitute almond butter. 

Once your pinecone is covered in peanut butter, pour some birdseed in the shallow dish.  Then roll your pinecone in the seed.  Make sure that your cone is loaded with plenty of seed to attract lots of birds. 

Now you’re ready to hang your birdfeeder outside.  Try hanging it from a tree branch where birds normally hang out to make it easy for the birds to find. 

Also, think about placing it somewhere you can view easily.  Maybe you want to hang it near a window so you can observe from indoors. 

To hang your birdfeeder, tie one end of the string to the top of your pinecone.  Then tie the other to the tree branch where you want the feeder to hang. 

Now, get to work observing.  Check your feeder for a few minutes every day.  What kinds of birds stop by to use it?  Are there lots of different types of birds, or just one or two?  Can you identify them?  How frequently do they come?  Do other animals use the feeder too? 

Keep track of the birds and other animals that use your feeder by keeping a journal.  Make note of the days and times your feeder gets used and what types of birds you observe.  You may see a finch or a wren or a magpie. 

You can also keep track of your bird observations by taking pictures of the creatures that visit your feeder.  You can then share your pictures by uploading them to Explorit’s facebook page.

Be sure to refresh your feeder with more birdseed and peanut butter every few days or as needed to keep your feathered friends coming back for more. 

*

Explorit’s coming events: 

• Explorit’s newest Exhibition, “Forces of Nature” is open the first full weekend of every month from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.  This exhibition welcomes the public back to our 3141 5th Street Nature Center and will feature some of the best of Explorit’s past exhibits. 

----------------------------------------------

Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th St. and is open to the public every first full weekend of the month.  For more information call (530) 756-0191 or visit http://www.explorit.org, or “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/explorit.fb