The Ponderlodge Golf Course (Cape May, MA) is the first - and hopefully not the last - to return habitat back to the birds.

You can read it here: Cape golf course goes to birds for open space

What is really important about this step is it will bring us back into balance. Right now, we are loosing wildlife habitat at an alarming rate. While we as people want spaces for our lives and own pleasures, it’s essential that we attempt to return to more of a balanced world. The earth, just like our bodies, does best when we are in balance.

To do your part on a more local level, you can provide space for birds and other wildlife in your own backyards. You can get more information on how to do that at BirdingMania.com

It’s nearly spring and I’ve started to hear various song birds again. Aside from listening to the water, the next best sound is that of birds. Do you want to attract birds to your yard?

The easiest way to attract birds is with bird feeders. Start with a tray type feeder as it will make it easier for the birds to find the food at first. They will either easily see the food or other birds feeding. To really enjoy watching the birds at your feeder I recommend getting a good bird watching book. Any large bookstore should carry them and you can probably get one for just your region of the country.

You can read the rest of this article and more at www.BirdingMania.com

In the some part of the US, it’s time to get your hummingbird feeders ready. In fact, in some places in the Southwest, you’ve already got hummingbirds visiting you (lucky you!).

For the rest of you…do you know where to hang your feeders? What kind of feeders are best? Do you know how to make your own feed without using chemicals and dyes?

You’ll find more information at BirdingMania’s Hummingbirds in Your Yard.

The ninth annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is taking place February 17–20, with a special opportunity to “Count Birds with a Buddy!” The National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology are asking birders to share their passion with someone new to this wonderful pastime. At the same time, every participant contributes to scientific knowledge by joining the only count that creates a mid-winter snapshot of what the birds are doing across North America.

“People can take as long as they like watching birds as part of their GBBC day,” said Dr. Paul Green, Audubon’s director of Citizen Science. “Most important is that people get outdoors and have fun counting the birds they see. Then they can be amazed at the results they produce on the GBBC website; the animated maps are especially great.”

No fee or advance registration is necessary. Participants note the highest number of each species they see at any one time and enter their sightings online at www.birdsource.org/gbbc. The web site also includes instructions and bird watching tips. The count is run by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, with sponsorship by Wild Birds Unlimited.

In 2005, birders sent in more than 52,000 checklists, with a record-breaking 613 species and more than 6.5 million birds counted. By visiting the results pages at www.birdsource.org/gbbc, participants can see what was reported in their own towns or across the continent, and read what scientists found about the changing numbers and distributions of birds. This year’s information could help show how birds may have been affected in areas stricken by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as update what we know about declining species such as Rusty Blackbird and Painted Bunting.

Something new for bird watchers this year: the first-ever GBBC contest will generate some friendly competition. Awards will be given to states, provinces, and localities that submit the most checklists. Participants can also enter a photo contest by taking pictures of birds during the event and sending them for posting on the GBBC online photo gallery.

For further information, and to find out more for your locations, visit the Audobon Society and check out local chapters.

There are very few things as enjoyable as setting up a bird feeder and watching the activities of the different types of birds that come to feed. What birds come to your feeder will be in a large part determined by where you live. But even if you live in a city, you could be surprised by the occasional migrating bird that stops by for a quick meal. What type of feeder and what type of food you supply will also play a role in what birds you attract to your feeder.

When you first go looking for a bird feeder you will soon find there are almost as many choices as there are species of birds. There is a simple way of choosing a bird feeder though so don’t let the variety get you down. Deciding what the birds you want to visit your feeder eats is one part of the puzzle. Do you have squirrels in your yard that can steal the food? Also where will you be placing the feeder? Answering those three simple questions will get you on the right path in the beginning, now let’s look at some of the different types of feeders and narrow your choice down a little further.

Read more about Understanding Bird Feeders

Backyard bird feeding is a convenient way to enjoy wildlife. More than 65 million Americans of all ages watch, feed and landscape for birds.

It doesn’t matter where you live - in an apartment, townhouse or single family dwelling, in the city, suburbs or country. Just stand still and you’ll hear them: wild birds. It is hard to imagine life without them.

Bird watching is one of the fastest growing forms of outdoor recreation in the country. Each year millions of people discover for the first time the joys of birdwatching. It’s easy to understand why. Birds are fun to watch.

And you can watch them just about everywhere. The most convenient place to start is right in your own backyard. All it takes to get their attention is food or water, a place to build a nest and appropriate vegetation.