Best Birdhouse Kits for Your Backyard

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Having a birdhouse (or several) in your backyard is an excellent way to attract birds to your lake house. Plus, creating your own birdhouse can be a fun DIY craft activity for you and your family. But if you’re not an expert woodworker, what should you do? Luckily, there are several birdhouse-making toolkits available on the market. With these kits, you can get all the fun of building your own birdhouse and none of the stress. With most being kid-friendly and a few more upscale choices, check out our top five recommendations!

Toysmith Beetle & Bee Birdhouse Kit

Image courtesy of Amazon

This Beetle & Bee Birdhouse Kit from Toysmith is a fun, highly-rated craft project. The simple, straightforward design requires easy assembly without hardware requirements, perfect for kids ages 5 and up. It also includes a paintbrush to add fun designs to your birds’ new nesting place at the lake.

Window View Birdhouse Kit

Image courtesy of thebirdhousechick.com

This window view birdhouse kit allows you to get a close-up view of birds who visit your lake home. Made of natural Eastern white pine, this small birdhouse is made of durable, high-quality wood that’s built to last. In addition to its wooden parts, the kit comes with two suction cups for mounting onto your window. Just install the birdhouse onto the window, ideally one with curtains or blinds so birds won’t be distracted. Then, just watch birds flock to your hand-built home while you lounge in the living room!

Hapray DIY BirdHouse Kit

Image courtesy of Amazon

Why limit your backyard to just one birdhouse? The Hapray DIY Birdhouse Kit comes with four unassembled birdhouses. With the wooden materials, Bplus glue, and string, you have everything you need included in this kit. These birdhouses are made of high-quality plywood which is both non-toxic and eco-friendly. Now for the most fun part — it also comes with several 12×2 paints, plus a painting palate so you can mix colors to your heart’s content. With cons of colors and plenty of wood, you’ll add a bright, playful feel to your backyard.

Scout Regalia Birdhouse Kit

Photo courtesy of West Elm

For a more upscale option, check out this Scout Regalia Birdhouse Kit. Made of laser-cut birch plywood, it’s durable and made to last through the years. In addition to the wooden pieces, this kit also includes a paracord for hanging, as well as clear assembly instructions. Once you’ve put it together, there are several options for styling such as staining, clear coating, painting, or covering it in birdseed. Unlike many other birdhouse kits, this one has a more open-air design, making room for a wide variety of bird species.

Made By Me Birdhouse

Image courtesy of Walmart

This Made By Me Birdhouse is a perfect project for you and your kids at the lake. Easy to build, it comes with pre-cut wooden pieces and glue — no required tools needed. The kit also includes six paint colors, as well as little wooden accessories. Whether your birdhouse is lined with a green fence or decorated with small pink flowers, it’s time to get creative! It’s also a great opportunity to see how colors attract different birds. For instance, hummingbirds are attracted to reds and pinks, while bluebirds are (you guessed it) drawn to blue.

A Few Key Tips

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To keep your experience as fun as possible, just be sure to read all the assembly instructions beforehand to make sure you have the proper tools. Also, it’s important to consider the durability of the materials. While cedar is perhaps the most sturdy, high-quality material, it’s also the most expensive. However, plywood is also an excellent option. Finally, determine what species of birds you’d like to see. For instance, bird feeders with smaller holed entrances will attract smaller birds like wrens, whereas birdhouses with more open spaces will bring in larger birds like sparrows. Whatever you choose, we hope you enjoy creating your birdhouse — and we hope the birds enjoy it just as much!

5 Types of Bird Baths for Your Backyard

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For those of us who live on the lake, birdwatching is a fun and accessible hobby. From your back porch, you have a front row seat to every migration season. Just get out the bird book and binoculars, and you’re set for an enjoyable afternoon! When attracting birds to your lake house, a few bird baths can go a long way. Besides adding aesthetic appeal to your yard, bird baths serve a dual purpose — drinking and preening. Preening refers to self-grooming. Much like a cat, birds go through a self-bathing process to remove dust and parasites from their feathers. Since most birds preen throughout the day to keep themselves clean, your bird baths provide a much-needed respite for our aviary friends. 

If you’re not sure what type of bird bath to invest in, you’ve come to the right place! Check out these 5 different types of bird baths for your backyard.

Ground Bird Bath

Photo courtesy of Backyard Boss

Let’s start with the lowest elevation. This simple bird bath model is essentially a basin of water resting on the ground. Usually a circular or oval shape, this style mimics water sources in nature, such as lakes and ponds, which have no elevation. Some benefits of this type of bird bath are its lack of complexity (you could easily create a ground bird bath from an unused ceramic plate), its ease in portability, and no chance of damage. Plus, the low elevation is perfect for larger birds like quail, grouse, or ducks. However, keep in mind that ground bird baths are more risky for predators, and more susceptible to leaf litter.

Hanging Bird Bath

Photo courtesy of Duncraft

For the most elevated bird bath option at your lake house, a hanging bird bath is ideal. Essentially, this is a shallow basin hanging from a chord or chain, typically attached to a pole or tree branch. Because this type of bird bath is the smallest, its water capacity is limited, and the design options are fewer. You’ll also want to be mindful of higher winds which can cause these small baths to fall. Despite these considerations, there are several advantages to hanging bird feeders. For small birds, this type of bath is the safest because the height protects them from predators. They’re also simple to DIY with saucers.

Pedestal Bird Bath

Image courtesy of MyGardenLife

When you picture a bird bath, a pedestal bird bath is likely what comes to mind. By far, these are the most popular and as a result, there’s tons of available designs. Usually made from ceramic, granite, or plastic, the downside of pedestal bird baths is their bulkiness and their difficulty and cleaning. However, the benefits outweigh the costs. For one, their taller height prevents squirrels from climbing and interfering with the birds’ safety. Aesthetically, they blend seamlessly into an elegant garden look. Any magazine-ready backyard may feature a high-quality pedestal birdbath.

Heated Bird Bath

Photo courtesy of Seabird Sanctuary

Depending on where in the U.S. you live, wintertime often means that birds’ water supply is frozen. So, during this time of year, they’ll be searching for lukewarm water for drinking and preening. To help them out in these cold times, consider investing in a heated bird bath, especially during the upcoming season. Contrary to what you may expect, a heated bird bath does not actually produce hot water. Instead, it keeps the water at a temperature warm enough to avoid freezing. In the winter, a heated bird bath will be especially helpful when most birds’ water supply is frozen. If you purchase a bath with a built-in heater, all you need to do is plug it in. If you’d like to convert an existing bird bath to a heated one, simply purchase an immersion heater.

Fountain Bird Bath

Photo courtesy of Walmart

If you want to attract more birds to your backyard, a fountain bird bath is a sure-fire way to do so. Birds are highly attracted to the sound of water, and a bubbling fountain will alert them to the presence of your bath. With this type of bird bath, a solar powered fountain is particularly popular. Rather than electricity, it’s powered by the sun’s energy, making it a sustainable investment. 

We hope these tips are helpful! Soon, you’ll have birds flocking to your lake house in no time.

How to Identify Birds

Photo courtesy of Audubon.org

Recently, I went bird watching for the first time. While I was struggling to use the zoom function on the binoculars, my friend (an avid birdwatcher) demonstrated a keen attention to every bird’s movement. Within seconds, she was able to identify each species we came across. I was impressed with her ability to ID these flighty creatures. But by the end of the morning, I had learned a few basics. 

If you enjoy bird watching at your lake house, but haven’t yet gained expertise like my friend, it’s easy to build up this skill without relying on books. The most experienced audubon society members know that there’s four basic categories of bird identification: size and shape, coloring, behavior, and habitat. And while field guides can be helpful, birds are constantly in motion. By the time you pull out the Sibley Guide to Birds, they could be gone. To make better in-the-moment identifications, we’re going over these fundamental determinants of bird species.

Size and Shape

Image courtesy of Avian Report

The first way to quickly narrow down a bird’s species is by looking at its size. Of course, size is relative, so it can be helpful to compare birds with familiar objects. For instance, pencils (small birds), 12-inch rules (medium sized birds) and bread loafs (large birds) can be useful points of reference. Keep in mind that your proximity to the bird can also skew your perception of distance. If a bird is sitting in a far-off tree, it will appear smaller than the one at your feet. With experience, you’ll be able to determine bird sizes with more accuracy! 

A bird’s shape is also important to keep in your notes. Even if two birds are similar in size, no two will have the exact same shape. Take note of the bird’s general form — does it have a particularly long beak? An extended neck? These aspects are often unique to the bird’s species.

Colors

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Some birds have distinctive coloring, and they’re often named after these unique shades (think: blue jays, goldfinch, red footed falcon, etc). Scientifically speaking, these vibrant pigments are due to carotenoids, which play a key role in birds’ ability to reproduce and communicate. In turn, for bird watchers, coloring is a key component of identification. 

Besides the basic colors, be on the lookout for “field marks.” These are very specific markings that will help you identify a bird more quickly. For example, does the bird have white spots on its wings? An eyebrow stripe? A throat patch? Pay close attention to these often colorful markings to make a more accurate judgement.

Behavior

Photo courtesy of Pery-Pet

There’s more to bird identification than meets the eye. In addition to noticing how a bird looks, you should pay equal attention to what it’s doing. The best way to pick up this skill is to watch birds for a prolonged period of time. Even if a bird is common, continue observing it and notice its behaviors. For instance, is it hopping like a sparrow? Scaling up a tree like a woodpecker? Or searching for seeds in the underbrush like a swallow? When you learn each bird’s unique habits and mannerisms, you’ll be able to identify birds much faster.

Habitat

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Although birds are known to migrate, thus shifting their habitat based on the season, their general habitats remain the same. For example, great blue herons are known to love bodies of water, and red eyed vireos love forest treetops. However, you’d be unlikely to see one of them in the other’s location. Pay attention to where this species is spending its time. 

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of ways to identify birds. Other clues include seasonality, voice, flight pattern, and feeding style. However, starting with these basic determinants can help you get started! For more inspiration, continue checking out the Lake Homes blog for other bird-related pieces, and consider joining a bird watching group through the National Audubon Society. You’ll be ID-ing birds like an expert in no time!

Birdbrains or Geniuses? 5 Impressive Facts about Bird Migration

If you own a lake home, you’ve probably witnessed migratory birds flying across your backyard. You might even be an avid bird watcher, eagerly checking live maps in anticipation of migration season. It’s easy to understand ornithologists’ enthusiasm — the fact that two-pound birds can make arduous long-distance journeys is astonishing. To collectively celebrate these birds’ incredible feats each year, check out these five facts about bird migration.

1. They can fly as high as planes

Photo courtesy of Youngzine

During migration season, most birds fly between 650 and 5,000 feet above sea level. Although this alone is impressive, some birds journey at much higher altitudes. For instance, bar-headed geese are known for reaching great heights. They fly above the Himalayas, the earth’s highest mountain range, at altitudes between 13,000 to 20,000 feet. Further, because of the lack of tailwinds at these heights, bar-headed geese can’t soar. They must continuously flap their wings to continue their journey.

2. They can fly at night

Photo courtesy of UPI.com

During the day, you may see large birds like pelicans and hawks flying by your lake house. However, you might not know that many migratory birds are nocturnal flyers. Smaller birds such as cuckoos and sparrows fly at night to avoid predator attacks and experience cooler temperatures. However, flying undercover also has risks, mostly imposed by humans. For instance, birds are at risk of running into house windows and satellites, especially at night when these obstacles are harder to recognize. As a lake dweller, check out the ways you can help prevent these collisions.

3. They can fly as fast as we drive

Photo courtesy of Science in Poland

Next time you’re driving, imagine a bird flapping its wings to keep up with your car’s speed. Amazingly, many birds would succeed. Most migratory birds can fly between 15-55 miles per hour during their seasonal journeys. As for the best in show, the great snipe hits the fastest speeds over the longest distance. When this small, unassuming bird migrates from Sweden to Central Africa, it flies 60 miles per hour nonstop for 4,200 miles. That’s like traveling from Alabama to Alaska with no rest stops in between.

4. They remember their birthplace

Photo courtesy of @MartinWheeler via Twenty20

One of the most stunning aspects of bird migration is that birds know exactly where to go. Using the sun, stars, landmarks, and the earth’s magnetism, birds have a near-perfect system for reaching their winter homes and accurately returning to their birthplace. Recent studies also suggest that birds rely heavily on their sense of smell for navigation. Even if it’s a bird’s first time migrating, they can use these cues to arrive at their destination. However, their system is not infallible. Due to external factors like weather, habitat loss, and electronic interference from satellite signals, some birds get lost during migration. While this is unfortunate for birds, many bird watchers relish the opportunity to witness rare birds that would typically not land in their region.

5. Much of migration is still a mystery

Photo courtesy of AllAboutBirds.org

Although scientists understand a great deal about bird migration, certain aspects of this phenomenon remain unknown. For instance, one may assume that young birds learn how to migrate by observing others. However, because migratory birds in captivity grow restless around the migration season calls this idea into question. Scientists do not fully understand birds’ innate knowledge of how, where, and when to migrate. Further, there are specific migratory birds that confound scientists. One such mystery is the ancient murrelet, which flies 4,970 miles from Canada to Japan, China, and North Korea, and then back. There is no apparent reason for their journey from one similar climate to another. 

Collectively, these facts about bird migration may make you rethink using the word “birdbrain” as an insult. Migratory birds’ journeys are undoubtedly impressive. And as a lake dweller, you have an exclusive front-row seat twice a year. When late summer rolls around, grab a pair of binoculars and enjoy the show from your boat dock.

How to Attract Birds to Your Lake House

Despite its reputation as a boring pastime, bird watching is anything but dull. It’s a popular hobby that over 45 million Americans engage in, according to the U.S. Fishing and Wildlife Service. Bird watching is especially thrilling if you own a lake home. “At the lake, you have a greater range of potential bird species to interact with,” says Dr. Julian Avery, a conservation biologist at Penn State University. “I get excited thinking about different species (waterfowl, sandpipers, and sparrows) that might show up around a lake that would not enter urban areas.” Besides the joy of high-flying guests, tangible benefits to attracting birds include pest control and pollination. Ultimately, it’s worth the extra effort to attract birds to your lake house. Here are some foolproof strategies for bringing in more winged guests this season!

Choose the Right Seed

Birds are not hard to please. Just like humans, birds must fulfill their basic needs to survive. If you can provide food, water, and shelter, they’ll start congregating around your lake home. Food is an excellent place to start. Since different birds prefer different seeds, the question of how to choose the best bird seed depends on the types of birds you’d like to attract. If you want to bring in multiple species, diversify your seed types. “Make sure you use a variety of foods and clean regularly,” Dr. Avery advises, “As you increase the number of seed types, you should see an increase in species variety.” When choosing a feeder, remember to follow guidelines ,so your birdseed doesn’t attract predators.

Set up a Bird Bath

Birdbaths are not just for decor. While these shallow stone basins are a charming look for your outdoor space, they’re also a major bird magnet. For birds, these baths serve a dual purpose– drinking and preening. Just keep in mind that you must maintain it regularly. Scott, a bird enthusiast ,and blogger, writes on his website Bird Watching HQ: “Birds love having fresh water so much that typically within a few days, they have made the water in your bath pretty gross. This means that you will have to commit to changing the water every few days and cleaning with a scrub brush every few weeks.” In the winter, purchasing a heated birdbath will attract birds to your lake house. When most of their water supply is frozen, they’ll quickly gravitate towards the warm water.

Litter Some Leaves

Not all birds rely on feeders. Species like starlings, doves, and quails typically search for their next meal on the ground. To attract these birds, try raking fallen leaves underneath your shrubs to create mulch. Dr. Stephen Kress, the National Audubon Society’s vice president for Bird Conservation, told All About Birds how this strategy works. According to Dr. Kress, earthworms, roly-poly bugs, insects, and spiders will thrive in this pile of leaves, providing a delicious dinner for ground-feeding birds. “In general,” he says, “overly tidy gardeners are poor bird gardeners!”

Provide Shelter

Whether it’s snowing outside or blistering hot, birds need protection from extreme weather conditions. This need for cover will drive them away from a barren yard and closer to one filled with trees and shrubs at varying heights. “Having some vegetation and cover will enhance your feeding and viewing opportunities,” Dr. Avery says. “We tend to clear the shoreline of vegetation ,but this makes it less likely you will have wildlife on your property. Waterfowl will not nest unless there is some cover, and you have a unique opportunity to help these species raise young in your backyard!” When choosing plants, be sure to pick ones native to your hardiness zone as they’ll attract native insects that birds eat. Evergreen plants are also good choices that provide shelter for birds year-round.

Put these tips into action, and your backyard will become a bird sanctuary in no time! Bird watching provides hours of enjoyment for its practitioners. 

Lake Activities: What Should You Do Today?

From reading on the dock to water skiing, an endless amount of activities are at your fingertips when you own a lake home. Especially as summer is approaching, your options grow exponentially. With countless possibilities, choosing a lake activity can be overwhelming. To simplify the process, we’ve created this decision flowchart. Start at the top, answer each question, and discover what exciting feat you’re in for today!

Indoor Activities

If your result was in a turquoise box, get ready for a cozy, laid back day indoors. Greet the day with a slow yoga flow on your screened porch. By afternoon, maybe you’ll scour the pantry for ingredients to start a new recipe. Baking projects like homemade bread are more popular than ever, so now is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen. Even if you’re in short supply of cookbooks at your lake house, popular apps like New York Times Cooking and Yummly have hundreds of recipes.

Similarly, there’s no shortage of DIY projects at your disposal. Examine each room of your lake home and ask yourself what’s missing. Maybe a cute chalkboard, decor made of driftwood, or an outdoor fire pit. You can create any of these pieces on your own, so why not get started today? If you’re not feeling creative and need to use the day to recharge, try one of The Atlantic’s recommended quarantine reads for the summer. Or sink into the sofa watching a lake-themed movie

Outdoor Activities

If your result settled on a lime green box, you’re spending the day outdoors! The lake waters are getting warmer these days, so why not take advantage? Whether you’re practicing competitive swimming strokes, water skiing, or canoeing with a fishing rod in hand, enjoying the water in your backyard never gets old. If you’d prefer more green space than blue today, try exploring one of the hiking trails near your property. If you own a mountain bike, grab your helmet and start pedaling. Otherwise, bring a walking stick and go at your own pace. While you’re there, count how many different species of birds you can spot. Check out this bird identification guide to brush up on your ornithology skills. While most of these are solo activities, if you’re feeling social, you can turn the day into a small social gathering — once quarantine ends, of course. Your backyard is the perfect setting for a summer picnic. Bring a set of speakers, a blanket, and enjoy the view with your crew. 

The Day’s What You Make It

We hope this flowchart helps you determine what activity you’d most enjoy at your lake house today. However, this decision-making tool is certainly not prescriptive. Ultimately, your perfect day at the lake is whatever you want it to be. Whether you decide to squeeze in every activity on this list, pick just one, or none at all, what’s most important is that you enjoy your lake retreat on this summer day. From our lake home to yours — have fun!

Pick Up a New Lake Hobby – Bird Watching

Many people enjoy the delightful chirping of birds in their area, but have no clue on how to identify which ones they most often come across. This is where bird watching comes in! Bird watching is a low-key, yet thoroughly enjoyable hobby that has long been popular in the US.

Bird watching, also referred to as ‘Birding’, can be enjoyed by people of all ages. And, one of the best places to start is right on the lake! Lakes are a great natural habitat, not only for ducks and geese, but for a large variety of species of birds.

Join a Local Club

Consider joining a bird watching group or any other club or association. Learning from people with experience is the easiest and most effective way to learn the basics. It’s also a great way to get out and learn about your lake community and the type of birds in the area.

Get the Equipment

First and foremost, to start bird watching, you have to purchase some good binoculars. Birds won’t allow you to get close to them, and binoculars come in handy when identifying birds from a distance.

Since you are just starting out, it is advised to go for a simple pair. These have powerful levels of magnification and will not be too hard on your wallet, in case you decide that birding isn’t for you.

binoculars for bird watching After purchasing the binoculars, you will have to get yourself a field guide to help identify birds in your area.

As the name implies, a field guide provides detailed information of birds you might find in your area.

There are many field guides available, however, it is recommended to go for one which is targeted specifically for ‘beginners’ or one that is geared to your area such as Birds of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

You can also consider looking at the online resources such as The Audubon Society.

Bird Diaries

A diary or notebook will help record all the birds you have sighted so far. As soon as you notice a bird in your area, you can record the month, time of day, the location. Also and any other information you would like to keep, such as bird size, behavior, and sounds.

This information can also possibly help you locate this species or similar ones in the future. Through a birding diary, your personal birding experiences, thoughts about various bird specious, and notes can be documented.

Learn Bird Sounds

A birds chirp can be very distinctive and is an effective way to identify some bird species. Once you have grasped the concept of identifying different birds through sight, try focusing on learning bird sounds and songs.

Use your bird diary to take note of the sounds different birds make, then you can compare that to bird recordings online.

Birding is an inexpensive and easy hobby to pick up and one that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own porch overlooking the lake!