I Really Knew I was Hooked When...

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If you are like me, you might be just a tad nutty about your backyard birds. Can you remember the first time you realized you were somewhat obessed with your backyard birds? I thought it would be fun to share our stories...so I'll get the ball rolling.

I really knew I was hooked when I found myself getting aggravated with the other members of my household for snacking on the oranges, cherries and grapes I bought for my birds. Honestly, the nerve!   Michelle

We have a lot of bird feeders and bird baths set up for birds. My husband wants to water and feed birds only and would like to chase pigeons and squirrels out of our back yard.

I believe pigeons and squirrels have equal rights and equal protection in our yard. I'll admit both of those species create certain problems but unlike my husband, I believe they need care. I just find the squirrels so clever and amusing, I can't imagine my yard without them in it.

Posted by Jackie on Monday, September 17, 2007 03:05 PM

I think I realized I was obsessed when I noticed that I dug paths out to the birdfeeders and fed the birds and squirrels before I would even feed myself or dig my car out in the winter when it snowed!

Posted by Kathy on Monday, September 17, 2007 03:12 PM

I knew I was hooked when I started keeping a list of all the different birds that come to my garden and backyard -- and when I started to write poems about birds! Sharon

Posted by Sharon on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 03:46 PM

I became hooked when my Father gave me a plastic finch feeder as a stocking stuffer. When I actually saw my first goldfinch I was so excited. I have been a avid bird feeder ever since!

Posted by Mindy on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 03:55 PM

I was hooked after hearing the sweet sounds of my feathered friends in the wee hours of the morning....what a wonderful way to wake up and start a new day....feeling renewed with the sounds of nature!

Posted by Andrea on Monday, September 24, 2007 08:37 AM

Entertainment for my cats! I have hanging birdfeeders and a clear plastice feeder fixed to the outside of a window. I have a window seat for my cats, and they watch the birds all day long! I love to watch all the different kinds of birds, from wrens to woodpeckers!

Posted by Andrea on Monday, September 24, 2007 08:45 AM

We had been watching carolina wrens build a nest on the side of the house next door facing our porch. One afternoon I was sitting there having a beer when this baby wren shot out of the nest, landed on a box a few feet away, then shot over to my lap, where it stared up at me (looked like a fuzzy golf ball w' a beak), then flew off to the fence 5 feet away. Amazing!!

Posted by Karl Gerds on Monday, September 24, 2007 09:16 AM

I knew I was hooked after I bought our very first squirrel-proof huge feeder which drew so many birds!! From then on, we added many different feeders and water for squirrels (hard corn from Home Depot,etc), and all of the other birds here in NE PA!!! Now I think our backyard can qualify for a certified backyard habitat!! I so miss the ones now that have started their flight south :-(

Posted by Valerie on Monday, September 24, 2007 10:24 AM

I knew I was hooked when I would go from store to store to find the best bird feeders and birdseed and when I spend more on the birds than I do on myself...
This year I will also be counting birds for the feeder watch and I am so excited!

Posted by Jeri on Monday, September 24, 2007 11:43 AM

I was hooked our first year, when a pair of cardinals came to the feeder with their youngsters, and we were able to watch the babies flutter their wings and beg to be fed, while the parents went back and forth to the feeder to do just that.

Posted by Ellen on Monday, September 24, 2007 11:58 AM

I knew I was hooked when a very nice friend gave me a blue bird house. I got three nestings the very first year. She had bought a new house and had told me that this one had not had any activity in a couple years. To show my grandchildren their first baby blue birds was such a joy. They always ask if there are any babies in the house when they come to visit.

Posted by sue smith on Monday, September 24, 2007 02:09 PM

My husband was given a window bird feeder but it ended up that I took over taking care to see the birds are fed. Since receiving the bird feeder the two cats from downstairs keep coming up to watch the birds. It's really amazing to watch how the different birds react to each other.Ang

Posted by Ang on Monday, September 24, 2007 05:23 PM

A few months before my dad passed away he and I were out in my yard standing right near a feeder when a chickadee came within inches for a snack. My dad could not believe how close the chickadee was. Looking back I now realize how precious a moment that was.

Posted by Karen on Monday, September 24, 2007 08:16 PM

I knew I was hooked when I began getting up at Dawn! to make sure the bird feeders were full for my little friends the birds and the squirrels. I have always been a late sleeper till they stole my heart.

Posted by Robby on Monday, September 24, 2007 08:35 PM

I knew I was hooked when I shovel a path to the feeder in the winter to feed the birds. That happens BEFORE the cars get shoveled out. I also knew I was hooked when I bought a bird bath heater so they would have fresh water all winter. My husband calls our back yard the bird spa.

Posted by Elaine on Monday, September 24, 2007 09:24 PM

Midway Island '70-'73,when I named and began visiting the nearest nesting albatross every day.
I began by "preening" his chin with a rib bone, while he slept.
The first year,I took a few sharp blows from his powerful beak, but Grover finally accepted my hand. Eventually,he greeted me with a soft, "eh-eh" offering his neck almost like a cat to be petted.
Next two years, he was friendly from the beginning of the season.
His mate, Matilda, was ever as accepting, but she occasionally allowed a few stokes with the rib bone beside her beak.
Litte note: they have electric blue ears under all those snowy,white feathers.
Our neighbor,Ken Balcom, who was a marine biologist,(whale expert now), banded him for me.

Posted by Deborah on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 09:58 AM

I guess I know I am obsessed because at 3:30 this morning, when I am supposed to be getting ready for work! what am I doing? reading about birds. Yea, you might say I'm hooked.

Posted by machelle on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 06:27 PM

The first year I hung up a hummingbird feeder outside my kitchen window. Early next spring the hummer came to that very spot checking all around for his feeder. That did it. An Arizona birder

Posted by evelyn johnson on Monday, October 1, 2007 09:00 AM

My husband and I built a 3-season deck on our new house last year, and we spent a lot of time outside. We started watching the "tennis balls" (Goldfinches) and got curious about who they were, what they ate, etc. That led to a spontaneous Nijer Seed feeder purchase, which led to a platform feeder purchase, which led to . . . .

Posted by Miche2340 on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 05:01 PM

I run 10+ feeders year round and make sure they are filled for early morning risers - birds and squirrels are fed before humans. The seed, peanut and corn bill is $100+/month but I consider it money well spent. Several years ago, an injured pigeon (Walter) recuperated over the winter in a cage on the back porch. He was released on an Easter Sunday morning and promptly brought a flock of friends back home for brunch.

Posted by Pat on Thursday, October 18, 2007 08:41 AM

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