Bird houses and bird feeders for our feathered friends

There were bird houses all over the property surrounding our lodge when we bought it in 2002. We soon found out why. The forest of pine, spruce, birch, and poplar was habitat to a wide variety of birds.

Victorian Mansion This beautiful house is loaded with detail. Each of the eight compartments are functional for roosting or nesting. The solid copper, four valley roof comes off for easy cleaning. This mansion is both functional and is a great piece of yard art! Dimensions: 15"L x 15"W x 27"H. Hole diameter: 2.25" more...

New Chick House These make a really cute addition to your yard. Constructed from solid cypress with shingles and copper trim, with a fresh clapboard design. Includes drainage holes, ventilation, wildlife friendly acrylic latex stain, and a rear cleaning door. Dimensions: 6"L x 8"W x 12"H. Hole Diameter: 1.125". more...

Summer House - 5 Pack Assorted Colors Attract wrens, chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, and many more of your favorite songbirds. The select cypress construction is topped by a hand-cut and stone-washed shingle roof. Reinforced front protects from predators. Also includes a copper-covered clean-out door and a metal hook for easy hanging. Comes in a five pack with each of the following colors: white wash, pinion green, redwood, smoke grey, and celery. Dimensions: 5"L x 8"W x 9"H. Hole Diameter: 1.25". more...

Feeding our new friends
We started putting out seed and through experimentation we found the seeds that they seemed to enjoy the most - and that the squirrels like too!

One year we had a squirrel who very industriously piled pine cones over the feeding stations on the two largest bird feeders. Each weekend, I'd throw all the pine cones into the forest and over the course of the week, the squirrel would put them all back again to protect "his" cache from the birds. That went on all summer.

In our location, the bird seed that attracts the most birds is black oil sunflower seeds. You will have to find out what's best for your habitat.

We take great delight in watching the various birds at the feeders and the antics and power struggles that occur. We also keep a couple of bird books and several pairs of binoculars handy so we can identify birds we don't recognize and then we record them in our bird life list (a list of all the bird species you've seen in your life).

Hummingbirds
The first summer we had our lodge we decided to try putting out a hummingbird feeder. We'd found an old one in the shed and thought "it's worth a try." We didn't know how long it would take - a week? a month? a season? Roughly 30 minutes after hanging the feeder we had hummingbirds!! We have several hummingbird feeders now and lots of visitors!

Hummingbirds are amazing to watch (and incredibly difficult to photograph)! They are quite aggressive and will battle each other to gain control of the feeder - chirping and chasing competitors away. We can sit right under the feeder and see and hear all the action while the drama unfolds.

Hummingbird Nectar
We use a solution of 4 parts water to 1 part white granulated sugar. Add sugar to boiling water, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool before putting it out. To prevent mold (which is toxic to the birds) we change the mixture every weekend, thoroughly rinsing out the feeders each time. Never use honey or food dyes or coloring.

Bird houses and bird feeders
You can build your own - a fun family project, or you can take advantage of the wide variety of bird houses and feeders available. We've compiled a collection of bird houses, bird feeders and birding books to help you enjoy the birds at your lodge or cabin.

Enjoy!

	Oct-Avian House This 8-sided house has 2 separate compartments and has a bright white painted finish. Comes with a solid copper roof. The roof comes in 3 available finishes. Measures 11"L x 11"W x 19"H, Hole Diameter: 1.5" more...
	Country Wildwood Church This delightful chapel design features solid cypress construction, weather-resistant cedar shingles, copper trim on roof and steeple, and removable bottom for cleaning. Dimensions: 8"L x 8"W x 17.5"H. Hole Diameter: 1.5" more...
	Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song If, like us, you hear more birds than you see and are not sure of the different calls of all the species, this is an amazing and very useful book. Along with superb illustrations and text, each bird's call can be played on the attached audio player. more... Highly recommended!
	Bird Songs From Around the World The follow-up book to the aforementioned Bird Songs features, as the title says, songs from around the world. Also featuring high quality illustrations and text, this is the perfect companion book. more...
	Birds of Eastern & Central North America Award-winning author Roger Tory Peterson has created the field guide upon which all others are judged! Recognized for his work both inside and outside the area of natural history, this guide is his legacy. Over 1,000 color illustrations enhanced with descriptions of habitat, range, appearance, and voice. more...
	Birds of the Midwest These waterproof flashcards are the prefect addition to any birders resources. This easily referenced volume features 100 of the more common species found in the midwest of the US and Canada. You'll find information on habitat, range, diet and voice descriptions. more...
	Hummingbirds of North America If you love hummingbirds, this book is a must... referred to as "the most expansive ever!" Migratory patterns, species range maps, spring arrival dates of many popular species, over 250 color photographs and over 30 maps, uncommon images of females and immature specimens... this book has it all! more...
	Field Guide to Birds of North America - David Sibley A new standard of excellence in bird identification guides, these books cover more than 810 North American birds (432 pages), all in great detail. Whether you're a novice or highly experienced birder, you'll benefit from this new portable guide from David Sibley. more...
	Pete Dunne on Bird Watching If you're a novice to the wonderful world of birding, this is a resource you'll want! Written in an engaging and non-threatening style and full of helpful hints including pointers on how to move through the field, optical devices, field guides, cataloging sightings, photography, and proper clothing that truly helps the adult beginner. more...
	Sibley's Birding Basics This quote from David Sibley pretty much sums up this book: "I wrote and illustrated this book to help every inquisitive birder, from novice to expert. Whether you can identify six birds or six hundred, you'll be a better birder if you have a grounding in the real nuts and bolts of what birds look like, and your skills will be even sharper if you know exactly what to look for and how to record what you see." more...
	Birdfeeders Shelters & Baths - 25 Projects Looking for a great project? This how-to book features 25 projects ranging from easy to difficult, but each will result in a finished project that will bring years of joy as you watch your feathered friends take advantage of your creation! more...
	Fortress Feeder Features a heavy-duty wire cage with a locking metal cap - indestructible by squirrels. Chew and rust resistant finish. Adjust the seed port doors to serve any type of seed. Dimensions: 9.5"L x 9.5"W x 18.5"H. more...
	Yankee Dipper Feeder Four straight perch rods that collapse under the weight of red squirrels, grackles, and starlings, but support small birds. Made with rust proof stainless steel, with a tight fitting cap that squirrels cannot pry off. The tube is 21 inches long so that they cannot reach the seed from the top either. The interior baffle design allows seed to flow freely to the 4 ports to allow for optimum feeding positioning. This clever feeder holds 5 pounds of seed and comes in powder coated burgundy. Dimensions: 4.75"L x 4.75"W x 21"H. more...
	Yankee Tipper Feeder Similar to the Yankee Dipper (above), the "Tipper" has a weight sensitive collapsing tray that tips down under the weight of a grey squirrel. Other aspects of its construction and size are the same. more...
	Fortress Squirrel Proof Feeder Features a heavy-duty wire cage with a locking metal cap - indestructible by squirrels. Chew and rust resistant finish. Adjust the seed port doors to serve any type of seed. Dimensions: 5.5"L x 5.5"W x 20"H. more...
	Berkshire Lodge Feeder This feeder has a 2.25 lb. capacity and an over-sized roof to protect the seeds from wind and rain. Durable construction with an easy to fill and clean twist 'n lock metal seed cap. Dimensions: 8.5"L x 9.5"W x 12"H. more...
	Small Ranch Feeder Audubon by Woodlink has created a line of high-quality, unique and ornithologically correct birding products to make your backyard bird feeding successful. Dimensions: 7.5"L x 9.25"W x 8.75"H. more...
	Deluxe Metal Suet Cage Introduce a refreshing new look to your yard with this non-traditional suet cage! The copper roof has a lacquer coating and glass bead sun-catchers. Holds one standard suet cake. Hanging chain with hook included. Dimensions: 7.75"L x 2"W x 7.5"H. more...
	Garden Smile Feeder Both this and the Birdwatcher Feeder (below) are original designs by George Carruth. They are cast by hand in natural-finish stone concrete, and their weather-resistant construction ensures years of use. The Garden Smile measures 8"L x 4.5"W x 10.5"H and weighs 8 lbs. each comes with a lifetime guarantee. more...
	Birdwatcher Feeder This delightful, whimsical design is sure to bring many a smile! Measures 8"L x 6.25"W x 12.75"H and weighs 14 lbs. more...
	Zen Temple Feeder Minimalist feeder with hammered copper finish. Plexiglass window allows you to check seed level, roof lifts off for easy refilling. Solid copper construction with threaded bottom to fit twist stakes. Measures 11" high. more...
	Dragonfly Tube Feeder - 12 Inch Form and function from Whitehall. The protective roof protects from weather and discourages squirrels. The roof lifts off for easy filling and cleaning. more...
	Grecian Feeder This is a truly beautiful feeder made of copper and brass with antique accents and decorative brass rivets. The flared hood protects the feeding cup which has an ideal rim for perching. Measures 13.5"L x 13.5"W x 17.5"H. more...
	Dragonfly Silhouette Feeder With its easy filling, large seed capacity, and capacity for a variety of feed, you and your feathered friends will enjoy this bird feeder for years to come. Matching Nature Hooks are available. Dimensions: 12"L x 12"W x 19"H. more...
	Crystal Lantern Hummingbird Feeders Crystal Lanterns are loaded with unique features like faceted bottles, elegant traditional styling and realistic flower feeding stations. Comes in three sizes (8 oz. and 24 oz. in glass and 40 oz. in plastic). more...
	Double Cherry Hummingbird Feeder Features 2 seperate nectar bulbs for easy feeding. The red glass bulbs are held together with a decorative green hanging hook made to resemble hanging cherries. Each bulb measures 4 inches wide and 5 inches high. more...
	Garden Ballet Hummingbird Mobile Graceful brush strokes of sculpted metal combined with glass nectar containers create a kinetic sculpture that is as functional as it is beautiful. The rugged, tempered glass nectar containers resist scratches and fading. Holds approximately 30 onces of sweet nectar. Dimensions: 4"L x 11"W x 17"H. more...
	Strawberry Hummingbird Feeder We have a great selection of Strawberry feeders. Hummingbirds are attrracted to the bright red color. Enjoy strawberries all year long with one of these fabulous feeders! 4 sizes to choose from: 2"W x 4"H, 6"L x 3"W x 6.5"H, 6"L x 6"W x 7.5"H, 7"L x 7"W x 9"H. more...
	40 oz. Apple Feeder with Four Perches Here's a fun hummingbird feeder. Measures 7.25"L x 7.25"W x 8"H. more...
	Oriole Feeders The two-position perch of the Oriole feeder adjusts to feed all varieties of orioles. It includes a patented "flexible" bee guard that lets birds feed, but keeps bees out. The no drip design of the Oriole feeder has a built-in ant moat and features four feeding stations. Includes FREE Oriole Identification chart!Comes in 2 sizes: 32 oz. - 10"L x 10"W x 2.5"H, 16 oz. - 7.5"L x 7.5"W x 9"H. more...
	Raptor Binoculars Supreme optics paired with one of the widest fields of view available. The 8x model has a field of view of 430 ft. at 1,000 yards and the 10x model has a view of 346 ft. at 1,000 yards. Rugged and ready for the field, the unit is waterproofed and nitrogen-purged to make it fully submersible with no fogging. more...
	Intrepid Binoculars Features advanced porro prism optics for excellent resolution and color fidelity. Excellent for use in low-light situations. Large center focus wheel moves with incredible smoothness to adjust image precisely. Choose 8x or 10x magnification. more...
	Zhumell 10x42 Signature Waterproof Binoculars The new Zhumell Signature 10x42 waterproof binoculars may just be the perfect optical instrument. 10X magnification gets you in close, fully multi-coated lenses give you bright, clear views, BaK-4 roof prisms ensure maximum light transmission, close focus of just under 4 feet gives maximum flexibility. 25-year, no-fault warranty. more...
	Zhumell 8x42 Long Eye Relief Wide Angle Binoculars Zhumell's 8 x 42 Long Eye Relief Wide-Angle Binoculars provide the most comfort for anyone with less-than-perfect vision. 8 x 42 long eye relief wide-angle binoculars feature a 19.2mm eye relief, so they're ideal for bird-watching. more...
	Bushnell 8x40 Birder Binocular Designed specifically for serious birders and naturalists, the 8x40 Birders are lightweight, easy to use, and durable. The 8x40 Birder features a 40mm objective lens diameter, which allows for ample lighting during peak bird-watching hours. more...
	Bushnell 12x50 PermaFocus Focus-Free Wide-Angle Binocular Bushnell 12x50 PermaFocus auto-focus binoculars feature focus-free operation for convenient viewing. Just aim, and your subject comes into clear view! Quality optics are fully coated for bright, crisp images, and ergonomic, rubber armoring provides durability and a slip-resistant grip. more....

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