The easiest wildlife to watch is the one that comes to you. A hopper feeder, a 20-pound bag of black-oil sunflower, a tube of nyjer for the finches, and binoculars that focus fast. Hang the feeder where you can see it from the kitchen window and where squirrels cannot reach — the second part is the hard part.
Plans
Choose a plan that fits your needs and budget
Item List
6Optics & Reference
2 items
Feeders & Seed
4 items
Plan Totals$225
Optics & Reference
2Feeders & Seed
4Total$225
FAQ
Common questions about this kit
What seed attracts the most birds?
Black-oil sunflower. It is cheap, high-fat, and nearly every backyard songbird eats it. Start there before anything fancy.
How do I keep squirrels off?
A baffle on the pole and the feeder at least 10 feet from any jump-off point. Safflower seed is a backup — squirrels dislike it, cardinals love it.
Do I need a heater for winter water?
A heated bird bath is the single biggest winter attractor. Birds need open water more than they need extra food in the cold.
What binoculars for a beginner?
8x42. Wide field of view, bright enough at dawn, and easy to hold steady. Skip the 10x until your hands are trained.
User Reviews
5.0 / 5.0
Birding and my dark-sky stargazing share the quiet-and-still gospel — the wildlife does not care about your gear, only how still you are. A 8x42 over a 10x is the same wide-field call I make for binocular astronomy, agreed.