BIRD WATCHING is the perfect hobby for a busy world. You can do it while you're on the phone and while on your way to take the children to school practice. You can watch birds at a bus stop or while you eat a sandwich.While bird watching is big in some areas of the world, it has yet to take off locally. "Bird watching is the fastest-growing outdoor activity," says John Bianchi, a spokesman for the United States National Audubon Society, quoting a 2002 national survey on recreation and the environment. About 71 million Americans are bird watchers, Bianchi says, and more than 60 million have bird feeders in their back yards.
When we enjoy the bright flash of a goldfinch, the antics of a blue jay or the determined progress of a wren as she looks for insects in the fissured bark of an old tree, we are also becoming conservationists.
ATTRACTING THE BIRDS
Birds flock to feeders, but a feeder in a well-planted back yard, especially one full of native plants, will attract even more of them. Insects, on which most birds depend, abound in trees and shrubs. Add some birdseeds to the feeders and get ready for the grand display of nature. There is nothing more gratifying -- or more decorative -- than a pretty garden full of wild birds going about their lives. And if you can't identify your winged visitors, buy a bird book or borrow one from the public library.
Birdbaths are actually even more important to birds than feeders. "Water is critical," say bird watchers. "You'll have more birds come in and use water than bird feeders."
The best place for a good-looking birdbath is in an open area a safe distance from shrubs where cats may lurk. A nearby tree will provide a perch, or you could poke a few dead branches into the ground near the birdbath. Some birds will wait in line to have a drink or take a bath.
ADD A WATER LINE FOR GREATER SUCCESS
When the weather is warm, a birdbath with a built-in water line that drips constantly from a tube attached to the side of the bath will make your back yard extremely popular.
Some experts say birds can see the water and are also attracted to the sound of the dripping water. "They're tuned into that kind of thing, and you'll draw birds there that you wouldn't have seen if you didn't have a drip system."
Nesting boxes also attract birds to your back yard and allow you to watch birds as they build nests and raise families. The Audubon Society publishes plans for nesting boxes on its web site (www.audubon.org). Audubon and a number of mail-order specialists also sell ready-made boxes, nesting platforms and nesting pockets, which look like small baskets with a hole in front.
The birds will appreciate your efforts on their behalf, but they remain wild animals, and that's part of the pleasure of bird watching.
"For me, it's having that opportunity to see nature
and wildlife up close, to connect to 10,000 years of evolution," says one long-time bird watcher. "It's the freedom of movement that birds have, the mystery of how all this works, and the opportunity to see it all up close."
Universal Press Syndicate
FOR LOCAL INFO:
Birds of Jamaica a Photographic Field Guide, written by Robert Sutton and Audrey Downer and published by Cambridge University Press in 1990. This publication has remained an essential tool for the identification of Jamaica's endemic bird life. Jamaica has more endemic birds than any other Caribbean island and almost the highest rate of bird endemism of any oceanic island worldwide.
Bird Life Jamaica, 927-1864 or by e-mail at birdlifeja@yahoo.com.
n The Natural History Society of Jamaica, c/o The Department of Life Sciences at the University of the West Indies, Mona.
ON THE INTERNET:
www.audubon.org. and www.birdsource.org.
For the birds
BIRD WATCHERS spend billions of dollars on their hobby. Last year, Americans spent $42 billion on birdseed, feeders, nesting boxes, binoculars, books, magazines and bird-watching vacations, says John Bianchi, a spokesman for the National Audubon Society. But getting started actually does not involve a big investment.
Bird feeders are available in many styles and price ranges. Place them in an open area. If you use a platform feeder or sprinkle seed on the ground or on the snow, put out only enough seed for one day at a time.
Black-oil sunflower seed is the favourite seed of cardinals, chickadees and many other species. Woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice and other birds will come to a suet feeder. Fresh bananas and apples will attract robins, mockingbirds and thrushes.
Some birdbaths with drip systems continually recycle water, but fresh water is better. Look for drippers that use a trickle of fresh water.
Nesting boxes have holes of different diameters, so look for boxes designed for the birds you want to attract. It also makes a difference where and how high you place a nesting box. Even if you buy a ready-made box, read the instructions.
For information about trees, shrubs and flowers native to your area and important to local bird populations, call your local horticultural Extension office, or talk to the staff at your local plant shop.
