One way to share your interest in birds is by placing a feeding station where others can view the avian action (the Duncraft Large Cedar Hopper Feeder with Suet Cages). Window feeders provide a close look at a variety of birds that provide quality family interactions (the Duncraft Songbird Mirrored Window Feeder).

Feeding stations are in many ways anchors for birds and birders – centers of activity for local birds and a valued find for migrating birds on the move looking for an oasis with food and water. In addition to monitoring your own feeding station, it’s always fun to check on other feeders and water features locally, and as you travel, starting with those established at nature centers, parks, refuges, recreation areas, and other public lands.

There may also be some public access opportunities at schools that inspire an interest in birds among students of varied ages from preschools to elementary, middle schools, high schools, and colleges. It just takes one person to add a bird oasis that others can appreciate and enjoy.

Public access feeding stations are also sprinkled among varied business locations, where some birders have extended their interests in birding beyond home to work, possibly attracting a different mix of birds at the second location that may inspire an interest among some co-workers. It may begin simply, with an ornamental bird bath or a hummingbird feeder, and it may grow with time and interest among employees. Some assisted living homes and care facilities have added bird feeding stations that add a lively window into nature for residents, visitors, and staff.

There are also some relatively accessible feeding stations that you can walk to or drive by in neighborhood yards or green spaces. For example, our editor has his feeding station positioned so people walking or driving by can view the setup and the different birds that visit. It’s a great way to promote your interests and perhaps even inspire other people to begin feeding birds. And it’s a forum to spark conversations about birds, including local birds that people see in their yards – everyone has personal bird stories, questions, and phone pictures to share.

Each feeding station tends to be unique, with varied models, colors, and designs of feeders, along with bird baths or other water features. It’s interesting to see the types of foods being offered, plus associated landscaping. It’s fun to see how it all ties together in a yard or public space, and it can be a bit like window shopping to get an idea of what birds are being attracted to different food offerings, the different models of feeders being used to present the foods, as well as the overall layout of the feeder complex.

Attracting New Birders

Bird feeders can be a catalyst that interests new people in birds and inspires them to enter the path of birding. Theoretically, each feeding station could inspire a few new active birders who set up their own feeding station and start keeping bird lists and using eBird. They may soon join in local birding walks and field trips to learn the basics and appreciate social aspects of birding, they might begin photographing birds, and eventually some may join local birding clubs or Audubon chapters. You never know when your feeders might attract a passerby’s attention, or where the spark of an idea might lead to an expanded interest in birds and an introduction to birding.

Feeders can be used to help educate children that sparks a lifetime interest in birds, their behavior, beauty, songs, and migrations. Feeding stations are used by some schools across the country to bolster interest in science, biology, and even geography when initiated by teachers, parents, and administrators. Their efforts can be supported by information and ideas provided by groups such as Project FeederWatch and the National Wildlife Federation.

But feeders provide a great introduction to birds for people all ages, from children to students, families and seniors. For families, a feeding station can be a rallying point of sharing between generations, and it can be a place that children learn the daily responsibility to replenish foods and add fresh water on a regular basis. Family members may begin photographing birds, even using cellphone cameras on a friendly competitive basis, which may be facilitated by using a window feeder to draw birds closer for photos.

You never know when the birds you invite to your yard will attract attention from interested people, or when action at a feeder will lead people to seek out birds in natural feeding areas, parks, and the great outdoors – with binoculars and field guide in hand. Birding has no bounds, and it attracts a great cross-section of peoples across the country and around the world. Enjoy your feeding station, share your enthusiasm for birds, and experience birding with renewed vigor during this wonderful time of the year.

Share your backyard birding experiences and photos at editorstbw2@gmail.com