Whenever you go outside what is the one type of wildlife you are most likely to see? Birds. No matter where you go in this world, apart from areas permanently covered in ice, you will see birds. Anytime of the day in any weather, in the city or in the countryside, there will be birds nearby, even if you can’t see them, you’ll probably hear them.

In North America alone there are 835 species of birds that will spend at least part of the year there. Birding is reported to be one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities all around the world, and it is your choice to where you go and watch them. Right now more than 70 million Americans enjoy feeding and watching birds from there backyard.

The easiest way to get started in Bird Watching is to bring the birds to your back yard, this allows you to see them up close.

Some ways you can attract birds into your garden include:

Proper bird feeding all year round.
Growing specialized plants in your backyard to attract them.
Provide nesting sites or a birdhouses.
Provide them with water either through a bird bath or providing water specially in extreme weathers.

Once you have attracted the birds you could get involved sketching them ot trying to catch that perfect picture, or you could just sit back and enjoy bird songs.

Some of the basic tips for bird watching are:

Try to observe the birds so they don’t know you are there. Move slowly, make as little noise as possible, and keep your distance.

Going too close to a nest or repeatedly scaring a bird off its nest can cause the parents to abandon their nest leaving the eggs vulnerable to predators. On no account try to touch the eggs or the young birds as this can also cause the parents to abandon the eggs or chicks.

If you follow these simple tips birds will be attracted to your backyard and will keep coming back year after year.
By Gavin Dye

Gavin Dye is author and webmaster at http://www.birding-online.com where you can learn all about bird watching.

If you would like to enjoy bird watching in your own backyard here are a few tips for you to attract a variety of birds into your garden.

Bird feeders attract wild birds

The easiest way to attract birds to watch is to get a bird feeder. You’ll need to buy some bird seed for the bird feeder. If you buy general birdseed you will attract the greatest variety of birds. This is because different birds enjoy different types of seed. By buying mixed seed you will attract the most varieties of birds for birdwatching.

There are certain types of plants that will attract a variety of different birds into your garden. Birds enjoy color and are attracted by it. By having plants that have bright lee colored berries alone, and different colored flowers in your garden you will enjoy watching the berry eating variety of birds.

Placing a bird bath in your backyard we attract birds all year round. Birds will use the bird bath for bathing as well as drinking. Watching birds bathing can be quite fun and fascinating. Make sure you keep the bird bath filled with water and clean and she will have a consistent stream of birds visiting it.

Add a birdhouse in your garden, and you may find that birds may come and make their nests in it. If this happens bird watching will take on a new dimension. You can watch the birds making their nest and observe the birds taking food to their chicks when they hatch, and may even catch the young birds learning to fly.

Birdwatching in your garden is a very convenient way to enjoy birds. You will discover that some birds will become regular visitors to your backyard. Also you may be frequently surprised to see new varieties of birds come to your garden as well. Birdwatching in your backyard will maintain your interest or year-long because you will see different birds as the seasons change.