Birding Center

Watching birds is a favorite pastime for many people of all ages, and for a good reason…it’s entertaining, educational, and really easy! Birds seek out locations that have shelter, food, water, and a place to raise their young, and you can give them all of these things, in fact you may have them already. In Arkansas, 400 species of birds have been observed, which includes stray species from other regions.  Over 300 species can be observed throughout the year. For detailed information, visit the Arkansas Audubon Society website, which has specific bird species ID sheets, as well as a checklist, and is a great resource for birdwatchers.  The Arkansas Game and Fish Commissionalso has a free pocket brochure called Arkansas Backyard Birds that you can download off the website.  This guide helps you identify the species you are likely to see in your backyard or near your feeders, and includes pictures and profiles as well as a description of the bird’s song or call.

A happy home

Landscapes that have a variety of plant materials including evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs give the birds some good choices for nesting, courting, feeding and hiding. Here are some of the many berry and seed producing trees and shrubs that birds love to hang out in, as well as several vines that produce wonderful nesting sites:

• American Holly
• Canadian Hemlock
• Carolina Cherry Laurel
• Cotoneaster
• Dogwood
• Russion Olive (Eleagnus) Pyracantha
• Possomhaw Holly
• Southern Magnolia
• Viburnum
• Climbing Hydrangea
• Trumpet Creeper

A healthy feast

There are a large variety of birds, with a variety of natural feeding tendencies.  So in order to get all different kinds of birds, you will need a variety of bird feeders and food.  However, don’t get overwhelmed when beginning the process.  Over the years, we have realized that if you have a good quality black-oil sunflower seed, a suet cake, or wild bird food, you will be seeing some birds!  Especially when you pair one of these with a good feeder.  Cardinal food, and nyjer seed for finches are also good to put out. As with all things in life, the cheapest is not the best, so treat the birds to a quality meal!

There are many different kinds of feeders too but not to worry; all the quality ones explain what kind of food to use, and what kind of birds you will be attracting.  If you are worried about squirrels, choose a feeder such as the Yankee Whipper or Squirrel Proof II both of which hang.  Or you can attach a baffle to almost any feeder.

A steady stream

Water is as important in the winter as in the summer, so be sure to keep a source available.  Heaters in your bird bath will keep the water from freezing.  If for some reason, you end up with a birdbath full of ice, resist the urge to pour scalding water on it, since this could cause it to crack.  Instead, place a non-shiny pan full of warm water on top of the ice.

One great local birding center is Wild Birds Unlimited on North Taylor in Little Rock.  If you want to introduce some bird attracting landscape features, please come see us!