Welcome to the third newsletter of the Country Living Garden Club spring series. In this issue, we’re talking all things birds and backyard bird-watching.
Hello, Fellow Gardeners!
I’m so glad you’re back! I put up my first bird feeder this year, and now that I’ve (finally) figured out how to keep the squirrels from treating it like an all-you-can-eat buffet, I’m thrilled to see birds flocking to it all day long. I’ve spotted tons of cardinals, house wrens, robins, and woodpeckers—and just this past weekend, my first rose-breasted grosbeak. My guess is he was just passing through on his way north for the summer. Still, I felt oddly honored to be a stop on his journey.
In this issue, I chat with a bird expert about how to help nesting birds, share tips for properly maintaining birdbaths and bird feeders, and of course, end with a cocktail—because really, what better way to enjoy an evening of birdsong than with a drink in hand as the sun sets?
Here’s to slowing down, looking up, and maybe even learning to love that 5 a.m. wake-up song.
Happy birding!
—Charlyne Mattox
Food & Crafts Director, Country Living
P.S. Have questions or topics you’d like me to cover? Shoot me an email at cmattox@hearst.com.
Jump to:
- A Moment for: Early Morning Birdsong
- Q&A: What to Do If You Find a Baby Bird in Your Yard
- Add to Cart: Backyard Birding Finds I’m Loving Right Now
- The To-Do List: Birdbath and Feeder Maintenance
- Twirl It Up: DIY Bird Feeder
- In With the Old: Vintage Bird Whistles
- Garden to Glass: Cucumber Chickadee Collins
A Moment for: Early Morning Birdsong
I am not an early riser. I loathe the sound of an alarm and only set one when I have an early-morning flight to catch. As a bird lover, I’m embarrassed to admit that I get annoyed every morning at 5 a.m. when the birds start chirping outside my window and wake me up. But my day really comes alive once I get outside with my two dogs for their morning walk and marvel at all the bird sounds and activity. So much so that they often have to contend with me stopping to pull out my phone and open the Merlin Bird ID app to see what’s flitting about.
Q&A: What to Do If You Find a Baby Bird in Your Yard
Spring is nesting season. Parents are busy building nests, incubating eggs, and feeding hatchlings. I recently spoke with biologist Holly Grant, project assistant for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch program, about how we can help—and avoid harm—during this critical time. Here’s just a little of what I learned, but you can find even more of our conversation here.
Q. What’s the most helpful thing someone can do if they find a nest in their yard?
A. Give it space and keep people and pets away. If you want to monitor the nest or contribute data to NestWatch, limit visits to once every 3–4 days. This balances useful data collection with minimal disturbance.
Q. If someone spots a baby bird out of the nest, when should they contact a wildlife rehabilitator?
A. Only if the bird is injured or if it’s a nestling (sparsely feathered with pink skin visible or eyes closed) and no adult has visited within 1–2 hours. Many people mistake fledglings (feathered and often fluffy with short tails) on the ground as needing help, but this is normal. They often can’t fly well yet and are still fed by their parents for at least a week.
Add to Cart: Backyard Birding Finds I’m Loving Right Now
Here are a few birding-related items I’m excited about:
Heartwood’s Avian Bungalow Birdhouse: Now that I’ve started attracting birds to my feeder, I’m hoping they’ll stick around and settle into this charming wooden birdhouse. Its rich mahogany base and copper roof feel like a perfect fit alongside my 1923 Craftsman home—like a little extension of it, just for them.
The Backyard Bird Journal: This nature journal—a companion to author Amy Tan’s bestselling book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles—came out late last year, and I’ve been meaning to buy one ever since. Alongside Amy’s own observations, there’s space for daily writing and sketching.
Opticron’s Oregon Oasis 8x42 Binoculars: My eyesight isn’t great anymore, and trying to spot a moving bird in the distance isn’t realistic. I’m planning to invest in a pair of these good—but reasonably priced—binoculars. Their size is ideal for birding, offering a great balance of a wide field of view, good low-light performance, and a steady image.
The To-Do List: Birdbath and Feeder Maintenance
Just like we don’t like eating from dirty dishes, birds prefer clean feeders and birdbaths too—and it's healthier for them. Dirty birdbaths and feeders can spread bacteria, including salmonella.
For proper maintenance, bird feeders should be disassembled, scrubbed, and cleaned every two to three weeks—first with soapy warm water, then with a weak bleach solution. After cleaning, be sure to rinse the feeder thoroughly and allow it to dry completely before reassembling, refilling, and hanging it in a safe location.
Birdbaths need even more attention, especially in the summer heat. Change the water daily, and every few weeks, empty the basin and scrub it with a bristle brush to remove any algae or mold.
Twirl It Up: DIY Bird Feeder
Pinecone bird feeders are not only a fun, easy way to welcome more birds into your yard, but they also create a high-energy food source that birds love, especially during migration season.
To make: attach a piece of string to the top of a pinecone. Rub all-natural peanut butter (no salt, no sugar) into the nooks and crannies, then roll the whole thing in birdseed. As a bonus, this is a great project for getting kids involved in birding. Hang one from a tree branch, and before long, you’ll have a front-row seat to the action.
In With the Old: Vintage Bird Whistles
Beginning in the 1600s, these children’s toys were made from a variety of materials, including cast iron and brass. Today, vintage whistles range in price from $20 to $200 for rarer examples, like the brass “Victory Canary Songster” whistle pictured here. I was on a family vacation in Portugal last fall when my sister bought a plastic one for her grandson for just 1 euro. Some things never go out of style!
SEE MORE BIRD-THEMED COLLECTIBLES
Garden to Glass: Cucumber Chickadee Collins
Admittedly, I added “chickadee” to the name of this cocktail simply because it’s just a delightful word to say—and the birds’ cheerful “hey-sweetie” call is so fun to hear. Cheers!
To make: Muddle 3 cucumber slices and 3/4 oz. simple syrup in a cocktail shaker until the cucumber slices are broken up. Add 1 1/2 oz. gin, 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice, and ice, cover, and shake until chilled, 15 to 20 seconds. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with cucumber slices.
