Stay-at-home and vacation

If the price of gas is making you think twice about a trip to a National Wildlife Refuge remember that you can discover a refuge in your own backyard. To invite more birds to your yard you can set up a basic bird feeder, bird bath, or bird house.

Michigan has over 400 species of birds. A few of the most common birds seen at a seed feeder in mid-Michigan are the Cardinal, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, House Sparrow, House Finch, American Goldfinch, European Starling, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, and Mourning Dove.

Or get your camera out as the squirrel miraculously makes his way up your pole and hangs upside down. I can’t wait for the Ruby-throatedHummingbirds and Baltimore Orioles to start visiting my feeders regularly. They are such characters and not afraid to buzz close when I’m watering the garden.

Many of us spend quite a lot of time and effort making our backyards places to enjoy and then become too busy to utilize them. So forget the crowds and stay home to relieve some stress from the everyday rat race. Let nature nurture.

And if you have children, the National Wildlife Federation is sponsoring a campaign called ‘Be Out There.’  April is Children & Nature Awareness Monthand they suggest lots of activities to get your kids unplugged and outdoors.

Related Articles:

• 'Staycation': Destination Home Sweet Home http://bit.ly/HPAwsx
• How do you become a birdwatcher? http://bit.ly/HP6hWH
• How to ID Birds http://bit.ly/HP7DRu
• Teachers' Resources for Course on Birds http://bit.ly/HPCGIQ