Suet for Birds: What It Is, When to Start, Which Feeder
Nearly half of Cornell's 98 common feeder birds take suet, and three will use nothing but a cage. What it is, when to start, and which feeder to hang.
Hilly Shore Labs7 min·September 4, 2026
The Blog
Birding guides & honest gear advice
Practical, jargon-free birding advice — gear comparisons, backyard how-tos, and the answers to questions every new birder has. No fluff, no gatekeeping.
Showing 16 posts tagged #backyard-birding
How to Choose a Bird Bath: What Actually Matters
The ornamental concrete pedestal is the bird bath most people buy and the one Cornell steers you away from. Depth, texture and cleanability decide it.
Hilly Shore Labs6 min·August 31, 2026
Best Hummingbird Feeders: Why Easy Cleaning Wins
Roundups rank hummingbird feeders by capacity. Authorities say clean yours every 1–3 days all summer — so cleanability is the spec that decides it.
Hilly Shore Labs6 min·August 26, 2026
Hummingbird Feeders in Fall: When to Take Yours Down
Leaving a feeder up does not delay hummingbird migration — day length sets the clock. When to take yours down by region, and where you never should.
Hilly Shore Labs6 min·August 8, 2026
Bald Cardinals and Quiet Yards: August Molt Explained
Bald cardinals, silent mornings and ragged jays are one story: molt. What it costs a bird, an August field key, and two questions science hasn't settled.
Hilly Shore Labs6 min·August 6, 2026
How to Stop Birds From Hitting Your Windows
Window collisions are one of the biggest and most preventable causes of bird deaths. Here are the fixes that actually work, ranked so you can start today.
Hilly Shore Labs4 min·July 24, 2026
How to Attract Birds to Your Yard: Fast Beginner Guide
Attract birds fast with four things: food, water, shelter, and safety. Here's exactly what to add and which birds each one brings.
Hilly Shore Labs4 min·July 19, 2026
How to Attract Bluebirds: Mealworms + the Right Box
Bluebirds come for mealworms and a proper nest box over open grass, not for seed feeders. Here's exactly how to set your yard up.
Hilly Shore Labs4 min·July 19, 2026
How to Attract Cardinals: Feeders, Cover & Water
Attract cardinals with a platform or hopper feeder, dense shrubs for cover, and water. Feed at dawn and dusk — here's the full habitat setup.
Hilly Shore Labs3 min·July 19, 2026
How to Attract Hummingbirds: Nectar Recipe + Feeder Tips
Attract hummingbirds with the right nectar: 4 parts water to 1 part white sugar, no red dye, no honey. Here's the full setup.
Hilly Shore Labs3 min·July 19, 2026
How to Clean a Bird Feeder (The Right Way)
Clean feeders every ~2 weeks with a 1:9 bleach-water soak, scrub, rinse, and dry fully before refilling. Dirty feeders spread deadly bird disease.
Hilly Shore Labs3 min·July 19, 2026
What Do Cardinals Eat? The Definitive Feeding Guide
Cardinals love black-oil sunflower and safflower seeds, plus peanuts, cracked corn, berries, and summer insects. Here's exactly what to feed them.
Hilly Shore Labs4 min·July 19, 2026
When Do Hummingbirds Come Back? Region-by-Region
Ruby-throated hummingbirds hit the Gulf Coast by late Feb-March, mid-latitudes by April, and Canada by early-mid May. Hang feeders ~1-2 weeks early.
Hilly Shore Labs4 min·July 19, 2026
Where to Place a Bird Feeder (The 3-and-30 Rule)
Place feeders within 3 ft of a window or more than 10-30 ft away, at least 10 ft from squirrel launch points, about 5 ft high, and near cover.
Hilly Shore Labs3 min·July 19, 2026
Bird Bath Tips: Attract More Birds With Water
Water pulls in more species than seed. Keep it shallow, rough-bottomed, clean, and moving, and warblers and thrushes that skip feeders will still show up.
Hilly Shore Labs4 min·July 19, 2026
Heated Bird Baths: Do You Actually Need One?
In freezing climates, open water is one of winter's rarest resources — a heated bath makes your yard a magnet from December to February. In mild regions, skip it.
Hilly Shore Labs3 min·July 19, 2026