Valentine’s Day may hog center stage in February, but the entire month is for the birds—in a good way. February is National Birding Month, a great time to pamper our feathered friends. (If your valentine is also a bird-nerd, consider a pretty, practical bird feeder or solar-powered bird bath as a great gift in addition to the heart-leaf houseplant. Check out the options at your local garden center.)
Even better than a bird feeder, make a plan to add plants to your garden that feed the birds. February is a perfect time to research bird-favorite plants to add to your garden. From echinacea’s seeds that are beloved by finches to the fruit of Virginia creeper adored by mockingbirds, nuthatches, woodpeckers, and blue jays, to the tubular flowers of salvias and trumpet vines that lure hummingbirds, adding more bird-attracting plants to your garden this spring means more wildlife viewing. Now’s the perfect time to make a list of plants that attract birds.
Watch your birding life list grow! Remember: plants need great soil. Make sure you’re giving new plants a good start by adding Bumper Crop® Soil Builder [Eastern & Midwestern Regions | Western Region] to your garden.
Want to take your bird watching a step further? Join thousands of citizen scientists in the Great Backyard Bird Count on February 16-19, 2024. Sponsored by Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, it’s a chance to help scientists collect data on wild birds by submitting your observations online. Not sure about bird IDs? Download the free Merlin App—it helps identify birds by photo and sound. Hear a songbird but don’t see it? Hit “Sound ID,” record the tweets, and voila—an ID with more information about the bird pops up. It’s a fun family activity.
For more February activities perfect for the entire family, try making valentines for the birds. Stop by your favorite garden center to pick up bird food, then follow the simple directions here to show birds some love. These heart-shaped homemade bird feeders look really cute decorating a front yard tree, too.
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