Backyard Birding: Urban Birding Guide for Seattle-Area Kids and Families

Feeders are a wonderful way to create a space for you and your child to watch birds. Putting up feeders will really bring these birds out of the bushes, literally! Seeds attract finches, chickadees, nuthatches and sparrows, for example. Suet will attract bushtits and woodpeckers. A hummingbird feeder will attract hummingbirds, of course!

Feeders are available everywhere from hardware stores to specialty nature shops like Seattle Audubon and Wild Birds Unlimited. I like to support the latter two places, as their staff is knowledgeable about birds and supplies and can answer questions. (You can also order online.)

Here are my tips for inviting birds to safely enjoy your feeders and yard:

• Buy a feeder that can be easily cleaned (taken apart and scrubbed twice a year at a minimum to get rid of mold). Clean often underneath the feeder to discourage rats and squirrels.
• Place a seed feeder in an area where there is tree or shrub cover for a bird to retreat in case there are predators around (such as a hawk).
• Place a feeder well away from windows where a retreating bird might strike glass.
• If there are cats in your yard, place the feeder in a place inaccessible to your feline friend. (Better yet, keep your cat indoors.)
• Buy a dome cover to protect the seed feeder from rain, which accelerates mold developing in your feeder.