Bird feeding picks up as inexpensive hobby

COEUR d'ALENE - During recent tough times, more Americans looked for easy, inexpensive hobbies they can enjoy while traveling less.

For many, the answer is no farther than their backyard.

According to a Department of Interior's National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, more than 41 million Americans are backyard birders, making it the second most popular hobby next to gardening.

"Getting started is easy," said Herb Pawlik, owner of the Coeur d'Alene Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop. "Backyard bird feeding is a great hobby the entire family can enjoy. You can make a game out of identifying different bird species."

The average backyard may be visited regularly by 15 to 20 different bird species. However, a bird-friendly yard can attract 60 or more different species. Providing an easy-to-find source of food not only gives birds nourishment, but it also gives them more time to find mates, build nests, raise their young and perform other duties that are key to their survival.

Becoming a bird feeding enthusiast does not have to be an expensive endeavor.

When comparing bird feeding to other options of family entertainment, bird feeding is a greener choice that delivers more hours of entertainment. For one evening of entertainment, a family of four (two kids and two adults) can spend about $55 for a movie with popcorn and soft drinks or a few games of bowling with a pizza and soft drinks. With the purchase of a bird feeder, a tree hook to hang the feeder and a bag of bird seed, that same dollar amount can bring several weeks of entertainment to any family's backyard.

Bird feeding is more than a hobby; it's a way to connect with nature and preserve green spaces and help wildlife, Pawlik said. Birds are essential to a healthy ecosystem, and birds' population growth, decline and migration patterns are key indicators of nature's balance.

For more information about bird feeding, visit Wild Birds Unlimited in Coeur d'Alene or www.wbu.com.