Bird-watching is fun for the whole family – you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your warm, toasty home to bird-watch. If you do go outdoors, you needn’t go far. Step outside to your own backyard, take a hike in the woods, go to the local beach, or just stand quietly in an open field. Birds are fun to watch and delightful to listen to.

What is Maryland’s State Bird? Just about everyone knows that is the Baltimore Oriole.What else do you know about birds?Did you know that they hear and see much better than humans? Did you know that birds are found everywhere in the world except the center of Antarctica?

Is your yard bird friendly? We can help if it isn’t. One of the best ways is to grow plants that attract birds and boy do WE have plenty of ideas! Plants benefit birds whether you are home to fill the feeders or not, plus you can enhance the natural habitat of your yard. You have to have some plants in your yard anyway, so why not choose plants that are useful to birds? And what about planting a patch of native flowers, such as coneflowers – let them go to seed and stand through the winter. Come spring, we will have a nice selection for you to plant.

Have some fun and put up a bird feeder and a bird house. We have different ones to invite different birds.  What about a bird bath? Birds need water to stay clean and to drink. We have both simple and fancy baths – ones made out of cement, stone and ceramic. Then remember to clean your feeders and keep them stocked with yummy food and to keep your bird bath filled with fresh, clean water. Have your kids be responsible for these tasks, then sit back and enjoy our fine feathered friends. Some birds will visit your yard year-round, while others may come and go with each season.

To have the most fun and success at bird-watching, we recommend the following:

• Binoculars – we carry Bushnell products in our gift shop and can help you select just the right pair. They are bright, crisp, optics for both far and near viewing.
• Bird Books – we have several to choose from. Did you know that there are over 700 known species of birds that build their nests in North America? Scientists are discovering more all the time. Books can help you identify your back yard friends as well as learn about them.
• Bird Feeders – Just like birds, and kids, feeders come in all sizes, shapes and kinds. We carry many Audubon feeders – Tube, Hopper, Hummingbird, Suet and more. Check out our Coppertop Bluebird Feeder, and Hummingbird Gift Set.
• Bird Seed & Snacks – We offer premium food for all your bird friends. Our selection of National Audubon Society seed includes: Wild Bird, Woodpecker, Cardinal, and Finch. Snacks include Peanut and Cherry Treats. We do not sell the bargain bags of mixed seed. Birds don’t like all the fillers so you will often be left with seeds on the ground.
• Bird Houses – wait till you see all the bird houses we carry. Folks love the wooden, cedar style houses! My favorite is the Cedar Wren/Chickadee House.

Having the correct feeder and accessories will help attract birds you want to have visit as well as deter squirrels and other predators. Ask us for ideas – and yes, we do carry bird bath heaters, seed catch trays, yard hangers and wall brackets.  We have an extensive selection of birding products for your backyard friends so visit us soon. 
For home décor ideas, we have really nice National Geographic songbirds ceramic garden stones and wall décor; cardinal outdoor mats, and lots of Audubon plush birds with authentic bird sounds.
At Greenstreet Gardens, we love birds.