Category: Birding

Attracting birds doesn’t require acres of forest or a sprawling garden. Even the smallest yard or a patio, can become a thriving bird oasis with the right feeder setup. For busy families, simplicity is everything. The goal is to bring in the most birds with the least maintenance, mess, and clutter.

Here’s how to build a compact, efficient, and bird-friendly feeding station perfect for small spaces.

1. Start With a Single, High-Impact Feeder

If space is tight, choose one feeder that does the most work for you. The best all around option:

⭐ A Tube Feeder With Metal Ports

• Attracts a wide variety of birds: goldfinches, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, woodpeckers, and cardinals (if it has a bottom tray).
• Metal feeding ports prevent squirrels and sparrows from chewing it apart.
• Easy to clean and refill, critical for families with limited time.

Best seed for small yards:

Black oil sunflower seed! It attracts the greatest diversity without needing multiple seed types.

2. Add Just One Supplemental Feeder for Extra Diversity

If you have room for one more, choose based on your birding goals:

Option A: A Suet Feeder

Perfect for: downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, wrens, chickadees, nuthatches

Why it’s great for small yards:

• Tiny footprint
• High-energy food
• Pairs beautifully with a tube feeder

Option B: A Small Platform Feeder

Perfect for: cardinals, mourning doves, blue jays, sparrows

Why it’s great:

• Great for ground feeding species
• Easy for kids to watch birds up close
• Works well on a deck railing

Pick whichever adds the species you want most.

3. Use a Single Feeder Pole With Multi-Hooks

Instead of scattering feeders around the yard:

Use one pole with 2–3 hooks.

It keeps everything:

• Compact
• Tidy
• Easy to maintain
• Protected from predators (more visibility)

Even very small yards or condos can fit a feeder pole as long as you have a patch of soil or a weighted base.

Tip: Hang the tube feeder at the highest hook, suet or platform feeder lower, and a water dish at the bottom.

4. Add a Mini Bird Bath. The Secret Weapon!

Water attracts twice as many birds as feeders alone, especially in summer.

For small yards:

• Choose a shallow dish or deck-mounted mini bath
• Change the water every 1–2 days
• Add a dripper or pebble edge to draw birds in

A small bird bath often brings species you’ll never see at feeders—like warblers, thrushes, and cedar waxwings.

5. Use Mess-Reducing Mixes to Keep Your Yard Clean

Small yards get messy fast, so choose seed that minimizes buildup:

• Shelled sunflower chips (no hulls)
• Safflower (less appealing to squirrels)
• “No waste” mixes

You’ll sweep less, and fewer dropped seeds means fewer unwanted guests.

6. Choose a Strategic Location

Even the best feeders won’t attract much if they’re placed poorly. In a small yard:

Put your feeder station:

• 5–10 feet from shrubs or a tree for quick cover
• In clear view of a window you use often
• Where squirrels can’t jump onto it
• Not directly over a walkway or play area (to avoid mess)

If you only have a patio, choose a deck clamp railing pole or hang feeders from a bracket.

7. Keep It “Busy-Parent Friendly” With a Cleaning Routine That Actually Works

Dirty feeders can spread disease, but cleaning doesn’t need to be complicated.

Do this:

• Quick clean: Rinse feeders with hot water once a week
• Deep clean: 10-minute soak in a 1:10 bleach solution every 2–3 weeks
• Refresh water baths: Every 48 hours

Using fewer feeders (but better ones!) keeps this manageable.

Simple Setup Blueprint (Copy This!)

If you want the exact setup that works beautifully for small yards, here it is:

1. One tube feeder with black oil sunflower

2. One suet feeder or small platform feeder

3. One multi-hook pole

4. One mini bird bath

5. Mess-free seed mix

6. Weekly rinse, biweekly deep clean

This combination attracts a surprising variety of birds while keeping your yard clean, safe, and family friendly.

If your bird bath isn’t attracting as many birds as you hoped or if the water turns slimy faster than you can clean it you’re not alone. Most backyard bird lovers run into the same exact issue, and it can completely ruin how effective a bird bath is.

So what’s the #1 mistake?

👉 Not changing the water often enough.

It sounds simple, but fresh water is the number one factor birds look for when choosing a safe place to drink and bathe. Even the nicest, most expensive bird bath won’t attract birds if the water is stagnant.

The good news? This is one of the easiest bird bath mistakes to fix.

Why Stagnant Water Drives Birds Away

Birds rely on baths not just for hydration, but for preening, removing dust, parasites, and dirt.

But they’re picky. Birds instinctively avoid:

• Water with algae
• Mosquito larvae
• Bird droppings
• Cloudy or foul smelling water
• Water deeper than 1–2 inches

If the water looks neglected, birds assume it’s unsafe.

How Often Should You Change Bird Bath Water?

Ideally: every 1–2 days in summer and every 2–3 days in cooler months.

If you live in a hot, sunny area, daily changes might work best.

You don’t need chemicals just dump the water, give a quick scrub, and refill.

How to Fix the Problem Fast

Here are simple steps to turn any neglected bird bath into a bird magnet:

1. Refresh the Water Frequently

This alone solves 90% of problems.

Tip: Fill your bath in the morning when birds are most active.

2. Scrub Once a Week

Use:

• A stiff brush (one dedicated to bird baths)
• A 9:1 water-to-vinegar solution

Avoid bleach unless you’re doing a deep clean. Rinse thoroughly if you do.

3. Keep the Water Shallow

Most birds prefer 1–2 inches of water.

Add stones, pebbles, or upside down saucers to give smaller birds a place to perch.

4. Move Your Bird Bath Out of Direct Sun

This slows algae growth and keeps water cooler.

5. Add Moving Water

Birds can hear moving water from a distance, and moving water stays fresh longer.

Easy add-ons:

• Solar fountain
• Dripper
• Water wigglers

Why Clean Water Matters for Bird Health

Dirty bird baths can spread:

• Avian pox
• Salmonella
• Trichomoniasis

By keeping your bath clean, you’re helping keep local bird populations healthy and encouraging more species to visit.

Bonus: How to Make Cleaning Even Easier

• Choose non-porous materials like resin or glazed ceramic.
• Place the bath near a hose for quick rinsing.
• Consider a heated bird bath in winter to prevent ice from forming.

Final Thoughts

The best way to attract more birds isn’t fancy equipment it’s fresh, clean water.

By simply refreshing your bird bath regularly, you’ll notice:

✔ More species

✔ More bird activity

✔ Longer stays

✔ Safer, healthier backyard birds

If you love the idea of attracting birds while keeping your yard as wild and natural as possible, a natural style bird bath is the perfect addition to your backyard habitat. Instead of concrete pedestals or brightly colored bowls, natural bird baths blend beautifully into forested landscapes and help mimic the water sources birds instinctively trust.

These setups are simple, eco-friendly, inexpensive and incredibly effective at attracting a wide variety of species.

Why Natural Bird Baths Attract More Birds

In the wild, birds drink from shallow puddles, creek edges, tree hollows, and rain filled depressions. When your backyard offers the same kind of water source, birds recognize it instantly as safe and familiar.

Natural bird baths also provide:

• Better camouflage
• Textures birds can grip
• Varied water depth
• A more organic, forest floor look

Natural Bird Bath Ideas (+ Recommended Products)

1. Stone Basin Bird Bath (Simple + Wildlife-Friendly)

A naturally shallow stone is one of the closest replicas of a real woodland water source.

What you need:

• A flat stone or bird bath bowl with a natural finish
• Pebbles or river stones

Recommended products:

• Natural Stone Look Shallow Bird Bath

Perfect for ground placement or atop a stump.

Find one HERE!

• Polished River Stones (for varying depth)

Great for small birds and a natural look.

Find stones HERE!

2. Tree-Stump Bird Bath

You can create a charming woodland bath by setting a shallow dish on top of a stump.

Recommended natural dishes:

• Clay/Terracotta Saucer (12–14”)

Completely blends in with the forest floor.

• Glazed Ceramic Shallow Bowl

Easy to clean and looks earthy.

If you have a rotting stump, you can carve a natural basin directly into the wood. Add pebbles for texture.

3. Ground-Level “Forest Puddle”

This setup attracts thrushes, sparrows, towhees, and other ground loving forest birds.

Optional add-ons:

• Sand for lining the basin

Creates grip and helps the water settle.

• Flat Slate Stones

Use to create shallow stepping spots.

Find slate stones HERE!

4. Log-and-Stone Bird Bath

For a slightly elevated but still natural look, rest a flat basin or stone plate on two logs.

Recommended basin:

• Stone-Look Resin Bird Bath Bowl

Lightweight but looks like real rock.

• Natural Slate Serving Stone (repurposed as a bath)

Works beautifully in rustic setups.

5. Add Moving Water (Bird Magnet Upgrade)

Adding motion makes a huge difference—and keeps the water fresher.

Recommended drippers/fountains:

• Solar-Powered Fountain Pump

Works in shallow basins, no wiring needed.

Find my favorite HERE!

Creates gentle movement that birds can hear.

6. Surround with Native Plants

Native plants complete the forest microhabitat.

Easy-to-grow natives (Great Lakes region):

• Red-osier dogwood
• Serviceberry
• Spicebush
• Woodland ferns
• Native sedges

7. Make It Safe for Birds

Even natural looking baths require basic care:

• Keep water 1–2 inches deep
• Change water every 1–2 days in warm weather
• Scrub with vinegar + water weekly
• Place near, but not inside, dense cover

Recommended cleaning tools:

• Stiff Bird Bath Scrub Brush

Non-metal, safe for all materials.

• Eco-Friendly White Vinegar

A natural cleaner that won’t harm wildlife.

Final Thoughts

A natural bird bath doesn’t just look beautiful, it helps transform your yard into a forest friendly refuge. Whether you choose a stone dish, a stump bath, or a ground level puddle, the small effort you put in gives birds essential access to clean water.

And with a few natural materials (and the right accessories), your backyard can become a thriving woodland oasis that birds love year round.

Check out my Bird Baths 101 article to learn even more!

Your guide to eye catching yellow songbirds you can spot in backyards, forests, and along the lakeshore.

Birding in the Great Lakes region comes with one big perk: some of the most vibrant yellow birds in North America migrate through or live here year round. Whether you’re exploring a forest trail or watching feeders from your kitchen window, these species are some of the easiest to spot and the most rewarding to photograph.

Below are the standout yellow birds you’re likely to see in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Ontario.

1. American Goldfinch

Where to see them: Backyards, weedy fields, meadows

When: Year round in most Great Lakes states

Why they’re so bright: Males turn brilliant sunflower yellow during summer.

Tips:

• Offer Nyjer (thistle) seed in tube feeders
• Plant coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and native thistles
• Look for their bouncy flight pattern

2. Yellow Warbler

Where to see them: Wetlands, shrubby edges, riversides

When: April–September

ID Notes: Entirely bright yellow with rusty streaks on the chest (males).

Photography tip: Early morning light brings out the warm golden tones perfectly.

3. Prothonotary Warbler

Where to see them: Swampy woods, flooded forests, slow moving streams

When: May–August

Why they’re special: A glowing lemon yellow head and chest almost tropical looking.

Great Lakes hotspots: Northern Ohio marshes, southern Michigan, western Lake Erie shoreline.

4. Common Yellowthroat

Where to see them: Marshes, cattail stands, wet thickets

When: April–October

ID Notes: Males have a bold black mask with a bright yellow throat.

Listen for: The “witchety-witchety-witchety!” call.

5. Baltimore Oriole (Females)

Where to see them: Backyards, forest edges, parks

When: May–August

Color: Females range from golden-yellow to deep orange.

Attract them with:

• Grape jelly
• Orange halves
• Sugar water in oriole feeders

6. Pine Warbler

Where to see them: Pine forests, mixed woodlands

When: Migration and breeding season depending on state

Color: Warm yellow with olive tones and white wingbars.

Fun fact: One of the few warblers that regularly visits feeders.

7. Yellow-throated Vireo

Where to see them: Mature woodlands

When: May–September

ID Notes: Bright yellow “spectacles” around the eyes and throat.

Behavior: Slow, deliberate forager and easy to spot once you get your eye trained.

8. Scarlet Tanager (Females)

Where to see them: Tall deciduous forests

When: May–September

Color: Olive yellow body with dark wings. Easy to confuse for a warbler.

Tip: Look high in the canopy; they love staying hidden.

9. Cape May Warbler

Where to see them: Spruce trees, pine forests, migration stopovers

When: Mostly during migration

Color: Yellow throat and face with chestnut cheek patch.

Great Lakes migration windows:

• Spring: May
• Fall: Late August–September

10. Wilson’s Warbler

Where to see them: Shrubby edges, thickets, cedar swamps

When: Spring & fall migration

Color: Bright yellow with a black cap (males).

Why photographers love them: They tend to forage low, making eye level shots easier.

Tips for Finding Yellow Birds in the Great Lakes

• Visit wetland edges early in the morning for warbler activity.
• Scan treetops during May for migrating species.
• Offer native plants and a clean bird bath. I talk everything bird baths HERE.
• Learn calls using Merlin or Audubon apps. Sound helps you find hidden birds fast.

Photography Tips for Yellow Birds

• Shoot during golden hour for richer tones.
• Use backlighting to make yellow feathers glow.
• Keep shutter speeds high becausewarblers don’t sit still!

I didn’t set out to become a birder. It started with curiosity watching a little black-capped chickadee flit around the backyard feeder one morning while I was sipping coffee. I didn’t know its name at the time. All I knew was that it made me pause. And that was enough to open the door.

If you’ve ever stopped what you were doing to notice a bird singing outside your window or followed a flash of red through the trees, congratulations you’ve already started birdwatching! The rest is just practice, presence, and a little patience.

Here’s a simple guide to help you begin, no matter where you are.

🌳 1. Start Where You Are

You don’t need fancy gear or a nature preserve to start birding. Your backyard, porch, balcony, or even your window is enough. Birds are everywhere, especially in the Great Lakes region, where we’re lucky to have such rich birdlife through all four seasons.

Just take 10 minutes in the morning or evening to watch and listen. That’s it. Birding is about slowing down and noticing what’s already around you.

🔍 2. Get to Know a Few Common Birds

Start small. Pick 3 to 5 birds you see often and learn their names, colors, and calls. In my yard, it was the cardinal, chickadee, and bluebird. The more you learn about them, the easier it becomes to notice new ones.

You can use a simple bird guide or free apps like:

• Merlin Bird ID – for easy photo or sound identification
• eBird – to track your sightings and see what others are spotting nearby

You can read my Top 10 Birds To See In Michigan to help you start recognizing common species.

🍽️ 3. Offer a Little Hospitality

Putting out a bird feeder is a great way to bring them closer. Start with a basic feeder and black oil sunflower seeds, most birds love them. You’ll likely see cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, and finches within days.

Later, you can add a suet feeder in winter or a hummingbird feeder in summer. Native plants are even better because they feed birds and insects naturally and help the whole ecosystem.

Not sure what feeder is best for your yard? Take a look at my article on The 5 Best Bird Feeders For Your Yard to help determine which is best for you!

📓 4. Keep a Bird Journal

One of my favorite parts of birding is writing things down. Keep a little notebook or print out a birding journal page. Jot down:

• What birds you saw
• What they were doing
• What the weather was like
• How it made you feel

It’s such a peaceful practice especially if you’re out with kids. They love pointing out birds, drawing them, and giving them nicknames.

📸 5. Bring Your Camera (or Don’t)

As a photographer, I always have the urge to grab my camera. But some days, I leave it behind on purpose. Birding doesn’t have to be about capturing the perfect shot it’s about connecting with the moment. And that stillness is something I’ve grown to love deeply.

That said, photographing birds has helped me learn even more about their behavior, and it’s deeply rewarding. If you’re into photography too, start by practicing with common birds right near home. You don’t need a big lens just a lot of quiet observation.

💚 6. Stay Curious

The more time you spend watching birds, the more they’ll teach you about patience, seasons, migration, and what it means to truly belong to a place. I believe birding helps us care more, not just about wildlife, but about the forests, the lakes, and our own backyards.

So if you’re wondering how to start birdwatching, the answer is simple: just look up. You’re already on your way.

Looking for a simple, eco-friendly way to feed backyard birds? This DIY toilet paper roll bird feeder is the perfect quick project. It’s a great activity for kids, takes less than 10 minutes, and uses items you probably already have at home.

Whether you’re just getting started with backyard birding or looking for a fun nature craft, this feeder is a win win, easy for humans, tasty for birds!

🐦 Why Make a Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder?

• ✅ No tools required
• ✅ Reuses cardboard tubes
• ✅ Kid and bird friendly
• ✅ Ideal for chickadees, cardinals, finches, and woodpeckers

This feeder attracts a variety of backyard birds and encourages hands on learning for little nature lovers.

🛠️ What You’ll Need

• 1 empty toilet paper roll or paper towel tube (cut in half)
• Peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter for allergies)
• Bird seed mix (black oil sunflower is best)
• Butter knife or spoon for spreading
• String or twine (optional)
• Shallow plate or tray

📋 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Spread the Peanut Butter

Use a butter knife or spoon to coat the outside of the toilet paper roll with a thick layer of peanut butter. Make sure it’s well covered this is what holds the seed.

📝 Tip: For nut-free options, use Crisco, lard, or sunflower seed butter.

Step 2: Roll in Bird Seed

Pour bird seed onto a plate or tray. Gently roll the peanut butter covered tube in the seed, pressing lightly so it sticks. Rotate until it’s fully coated.

🐤 You can also sprinkle extra seed on by hand for full coverage.

Step 3: Hang/Slide Onto a Branch or Hang on The Side of a Tree

• Option 1: Slide the roll directly onto a small tree branch.
• Option 2: Thread a piece of string through the roll and tie it around a thicker branch.
• Option 3: Hang on hooked tree bark.

🧼 Clean-Up and Reuse Tips

• These feeders last a few days in mild weather. Replace them once the seed is eaten or the tube gets soggy.
• Cardboard tubes are biodegradable, but remove any string or leftovers to protect wildlife.
• Encourage kids to observe and record which birds visit!

🌱 Bonus: Add a Learning Twist

Turn this into a backyard science project:

• Count how many birds visit in 10 minutes
• Compare different seed mixes
• Track feeder activity in a bird journal

Final Thoughts

This DIY toilet paper roll bird feeder is one of the easiest ways to get kids interested in birds and nature. It’s budget friendly, zero waste, and gives your backyard birds a tasty treat.

So grab a cardboard tube, some peanut butter, and your favorite seed mix and watch the birds flock in!

Just because the leaves are dropping does not mean your backyard is going quiet.

In fact, fall is one of my favorite seasons to birdwatch. There’s a different kind of energy in the air. Fall migration is happening, food sources are shifting, and some birds that stuck around all summer are starting to act a little differently. But here’s the fun part: not all birds fly south.

Many stay right here through the crisp, cool months fluffing up their feathers, caching seeds, and filling the backyard with soft calls and quick flicks through the trees.

So, if you’ve been wondering whether to pack up the bird feeders for the season, don’t! These 10 birds are still showing up in my yard this fall, and chances are, they’re visiting yours too.

1. 

Black-Capped Chickadee

These tiny fluff balls are heart of the fall feeder scene. Always curious and never too shy, chickadees are year-round residents that get even cuter in cooler weather when they puff up like little feathered marshmallows. I’ve watched them stash sunflower seeds under bark like it’s a game and they always come back for more.

2. 

Northern Cardinal

Their bright red feathers against gold leaves or fresh snow? Stunning. Male cardinals are especially showy this time of year, and I’ve found they tend to visit feeders more frequently as the temperature drops. A little black oil sunflower seed, and they’re yours.

3. 

Downy Woodpecker

If you hear a soft tapping on a tree nearby, there’s a good chance it’s a downy woodpecker. These little drummers are regulars at suet feeders in fall. They’re not just cute they’re also important bug-eaters as they prep for winter.

4. 

White-Breasted Nuthatch

With their upside-down antics and nasal “yank-yank” calls, nuthatches are hard to miss. I call them the acrobats of the bird world. They’re caching seeds like crazy in the fall, wedging them into tree bark to snack on later.

5. 

American Goldfinch

While they lose their bright yellow color in fall, goldfinches don’t go far. Their fall and winter plumage is more of a soft olive or brown, but you’ll still spot them if you leave your thistle feeder out a little longer.

6. 

Blue Jay

Loud, bold, and impossible to ignore, blue jays are around all year but I especially love watching them in fall as they cache acorns in the ground and carry peanuts off in their beaks. They’re clever, loudmouths, and completely entertaining.

7. 

Dark-Eyed Junco

When I see juncos, I know cold weather isn’t far off. These little slate-colored snowbirds usually show up in my yard in late fall, scratching around under feeders or poking through leaf litter. They love millet and cracked corn and apparently, my garden beds.

8. 

Mourning Dove

Often overlooked, mourning doves are calm, gentle presences in the backyard. I hear their soft cooing early in the morning and see them basking in patches of sun. They’ll stick around all fall and beyond especially if you sprinkle seed on the ground for them.

9. 

Tufted Titmouse

One of my personal favorites with big eyes, a cute crest, and endless energy titmice are like chickadees’ slightly bolder cousins. I love watching them grab a sunflower seed, fly off to a branch, and hammer it open like it owes them money. They’re a fall staple at my feeders.

10. 

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Not just a woodpecker with a red head his one has a faint blush on its belly, and a call that sounds like it belongs in a sci-fi movie. They’re larger than downies, and they love suet and peanuts. I always get excited when I see one glide into my yard with that zebra-striped back and bright red crown.

Final Thoughts

Fall birding is quieter, slower but in the best way. It invites you to pay attention, to notice the subtler behaviors, and to appreciate the birds that stay behind when the skies clear of migrating flocks.

So keep your feeders full, your binoculars nearby, and your ears open. You might just find that fall is the season where you connect with your backyard birds the most.

Let me know what birds you’re seeing this fall I’d love to hear!