Why Aren't Birds Coming to My Feeder? A Calm Checklist
Set up a feeder and nothing showed up? You're not doing it wrong. Here's the friendly, in-order checklist for getting your first visitors.
Hilly Shore Labs4 min·July 24, 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 11 posts tagged #beginner-birding
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 Identify an Unknown Bird: 5 Clues
Identify an unfamiliar bird by recording five clues in order: shape, bill, behavior, habitat, and sound. Color comes later.
Hilly Shore Labs6 min·July 22, 2026
Common Backyard Birds: A Beginner ID Guide
Meet the 12 birds you'll actually see at a US or Canadian feeder, and learn the simple size-shape-color-behavior method to name them fast.
Hilly Shore Labs3 min·July 19, 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
8x42 vs 10x42 Binoculars for Birding: Which Wins?
8x42 is the right pick for most birders — wider view, steadier image, brighter in shade. 10x42 suits open country and raptors.
Hilly Shore Labs3 min·July 19, 2026
Do You Need a Spotting Scope for Birding? Honest Answer
You don't need a spotting scope to start birding — get binoculars first. A scope earns its place once distance keeps frustrating you.
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
How to Use Binoculars for Birding: 8 Fixes That Work
Keep losing the bird? It's setup, not skill. The raise-and-point method, the diopter step everyone skips, eyecups, steadying, and care.
Hilly Shore Labs5 min·July 19, 2026
How to Use eBird: Your Birding Notebook, Explained
eBird is a free Cornell Lab app that turns your everyday sightings into a life list and real conservation science. Here's how to start today.
Hilly Shore Labs5 min·July 19, 2026
How to Use Merlin Bird ID: A Beginner's Walkthrough
Merlin Bird ID is a free Cornell Lab app that names birds by sound, photo, or five simple questions. Here's how to set it up and use it well.
Hilly Shore Labs4 min·July 19, 2026