Backyard bird feeding is a convenient and rewarding pastime that many South Carolinians enjoy. For a modest outlay, you can set up feeder stations and bird baths in your yard that will attract a variety of species. Cardinals, Blue Jays, Downy Woodpeckers, and Carolina Chickadees are frequent year-round visitors, but in the winter or spring you may also see Goldfinches, Grosbeaks, and other migratory species. Offer an assortment of foods - black oil sunflower seed, thistle seed, peanuts, and suet cakes - to attract a diverse crowd to your feeders. Squirrels can be a nuisance, but a judiciously placed pole feeder with a sturdy baffle will keep them out of your seed.

With declines in wild bird populations, feeding birds in your back yard is a hobby that has real ecological benefits in addition to being great fun.

Check out some of our titles to get started. The library also has books to consult if you are interested in landscaping and planting strategies that can attract birds to your yard. A few examples can be found in the last three books listed below.