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| Cardinal carving out a cylinder feeder |
The holiday season calls for family and friends to celebrate
religion, and to focus on the Christmas wishes of children. Unless a specific
wish list is supplied by someone to use as a shopping guide, then many will opt
to give a gift of cash or perhaps even a gift card. While toys and such are
still preferred for kids, it can be tougher to figure out a thoughtful gift for
adults. Giving the gift of a bird feeder is a small way to increase habitat for
wildlife, without breaking the bank, and it also can serve as the type of gift
that keeps on giving all year long.
It is easy
to locate bird feeders for sale, since they can be found locally at department
stores, hardware stores, feed stores and even in antiques stores. The cost of a
new bird feeder is not usually out of reach for gift givers, but the wide
variety of feeders can sometimes make for a tough decision about which one to
buy. The model of birdfeeder chosen will have some impact on the type of
birdseed that will go inside to fill it up. Since the birdseed will not last
forever, the birdfeeder can simply be enjoyed temporarily, or the new owner can
decide to fill it up whenever they want to welcome some feathered friends to
their yard.
Don’t forget that the perfect companion to birdseed for
attracting backyard birds into view is a simple bird bath. Usually a shallow
basin of water works best, and remember to vary its location to find out where
it seems most effective. For instance, placement next to a bush that birds can
scoot into for cover is always a good idea, and the closer to the ground the
better. Birds come to feeders, and to water, during activity cycles that are
hard to predict, which makes spotting them more of a treat. Weather changes can
also make birds feed voraciously and learning to witness such events can make
for memorable encounters, creating the kind of cheerful memories that Christmas
gift givers hope to inspire.
To read the entire feature article in the newspaper click on
Colletonian.
