The story of how I discovered birds in my backyard

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My Story

It started when we bought our new home and I wanted to do some landscaping in the back yard. We removed an old wooden swing set and the ground was pretty bare there so we decided to plant some things that would hopefully grow in the shade. We outlined it in some decorative stone and a unique shape.

I had an old birdfeeder that I had brought from our old house, even though I had never kept it filled. We hung it up on a garden hook, and named it my " Bird Sanctuary "

Well, the birds came. Boy did they come, so much so that I decided to go out and get another feeder and put up another hook. Things started to get pretty active so I decided I must have a birdbath.

Then a second one!

Well, that's how it started...when I started noticing all the different kinds of birds we were getting and that's when obsession took over.

We now have 16 feeders. I bought a field guide, binoculars,digital camera and we extended our planting area to different sites all over the yard.All of our planting now is done to attract birds and butterflies.In the summer we sit outside most of every evening looking for birds! It is very exciting when a new bird comes along that we put special food in special feeders to attract them.

Okay, I said I was obsessed. I started baking cornbread, making my own suet, and chopping up fresh fruits. My family accuses the birds of eating better than they do!

The following winter we saw alot of new birds , so there was still alot of excitement with this new found hobby.

Then came spring and there was even more to see, hear and appreciate. During migration and nesting time it's a whole new ballgame, plenty to see and take in. My concentration now is learning the different birds by song, also it is fun to watch the birds gather up materials for their nests. I love watching the "mating habits" of them. Hopefully some will decide to use one of my homeade birdhouses to lay their eggs in.

My obsession has taken over the inside of my house too! My Christmas tree and wrapping paper all have birds on them. I did a window in stained glass look with tree limbs, flowers and birds. Our paper towels, napkins and even the real towels and washcloths are all covered with birds! There are bird statues sitting on my computer desk, bird clocks, bird fountains, birds hanging on the walls....I'm always finding new things with birds on them and I insist I must have it! The family constantly teases me( even though secretly I see them enjoying it too!

I found a birdwatching forum on the internet and there I can talk to other bird enthusiasts. Everyone there is very nice and helpful, and I feel as though I have made some very good friends on this site. It's nice to be able to share your excitement with others. You will find a direct link to this site both here and on the "END" page of this website.