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Introduction To Birding: A Growing Family Activity

Ace Hardware has provided me with the products used within this project. I was also compensated for my time and this blog post. All opinions and positions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of Ace Hardware.

Did you know that bird watching is the #2 most popular hobby in America? I’ve loved watching birds since I was a kid and I’m excited that my kids have grown up enjoying it as well. We’ve always had at least one bird feeder in our yard and over the years have enjoyed the watching the birds fly in and out. At least once a week you’ll see one of us grab a camera to take a photo of a bird or two or three, even Kora & Logan! When they see a bird they love they are quick to grab their cameras to snap a picture.

Since we all love birds, I’ve always wanted to get more feeders and expand our bird watching area. That’s why I was excited to take a recent trip to Ace Hardware as an Ace Birding Blogger.

Ace Birding Blogger

The birding section is full of all kinds of wonderful feeders, seed, birdhouses, and more. I was amazed at all the choices!

Bird Feeders Ace Hardware

Bird Baths Ace HardwareDave and I wandered the aisles for quite awhile trying to decide what would be a good fit.

Bird Food 2 Ace Hardware

Bird Watching Ace HardwareTo be honest we would have loved to take home one of everything!

Bird Seed Ace Hardware

ummingbird Feeders Ace

Bird Houses Ace HardwareWe were pleasantly surprised at the prices of everything and we did end up with a great haul. Here’s a look at just some of the things we bought for our new bird watching area:

Bird WatchingThe first thing that stood out was this beautiful bird bath.

Bird BathIsn’t it gorgeous? It’s so bright and cheery in the sun. There were many other designs to choose from but we were drawn to the gorgeous peacock design and we’ve received a number of compliments on it already. Now we are just waiting for it to warm up so the birds can start enjoying it too!

Next up was this unique double shepherds hook adorned with little bird silhouettes. I’ve never seen anything like it, and as soon as I saw it I knew it would look wonderful in our bird watching area holding up our feeders.

Shpeherds Hooks Ace Hardware

Shepherds Hook Birds

When you are setting up your feeders, one thing to keep in mind is squirrels. They are incredibly crafty and daring when it comes to finding ways to eat your bird food. We had a feeder recently that they just loved. It was becoming more of a squirrel feeder than a bird feeder. My mom had suggested spraying the stand we had it on with cooking spray. We would do so and it would work for awhile but sure enough they figured out how to jump and scale the pole so quickly that they could make it to the top and shimmy down to eat the bird food.

The answer to our problem was waiting for us in the bird watching aisle at Ace – a Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder!

Squirrel Proof Feeders Ace HardwareWhen a squirrel climbs on it or dangles from the top, it’s weigh causes the outside of the bird feeder to go down just enough that it covers the holes where the food comes out. The birds are light enough that they can still eat normally, but the squirrels are defeated! After putting this feeder up we watched squirrel after squirrel try to get the food out and give up. We were so happy that our feeder has gone back to the birds that we picked up two!

CardinalWe also bought a Peanut feeder that we filled with bluebird suet nuggets in the hopes of attracting bluebirds. While we haven’t seen any bluebirds yet, the woodpeckers have really liked it.WoodpeckerA good finch feeder was a must buy on our list too. We were excited about this one because it has lots of perches for the finches to stand on and the bottom is angled so no food is wasted or goes bad. We were very excited to see how happy our finches have been with this feeder. They are a true spring welcome with their bright yellow colors!

Four FinchesI also picked up these decorative hanging hooks. They are beautiful and sparkle in the sun. They add a bit a whimsy and color to our bird watching area.

Decorative Hanging Hooks

You can see them in the photo above of the shepherd’s hook holding the feeders.

As for bird food, we were very happy with all the choices we found at Ace. We picked up a Wild Delight Nut & Berry mix to attract a variety of birds, mealworms which the birds really love, as well as Ultra Wild Finch Bird Blend Bird Seed and Nyjer seed which the finches can’t get enough of.

While it’s fun to set up a bird watching area it’s important to make filling the feeders simple. If it becomes a chore you are less likely to keep them filled and then it’s more difficult to keep the birds coming back. That’s why I was excited to pick up this hand scoop and seed dispenser. They have made filling the feeders a breeze which keeps our birds coming back.

With all these new items for our bird watching area we’ve had a lot to watch the last few days. Here’s a few photos of our happy birds.

Woodpecker Close Up

Finch

Female Cardinal

Bird Bath & Woodpecker

Here are a few tips from Ace for setting up your own bird watching area:

  • If you are setting up a new feeder, you may have to wait a few weeks for the birds to discover it. This was true for us. I remember getting our first feeder and wondering if the birds would ever come.
  • To help the birds find the feeder faster, put a shiny pan with some seed in it underneath the feeder to attract birds in flight.
  • Keep the seed clean and dry and watch for mold.
  • Place bird feeders in locations that do not provide hiding places for cats and other predators.

For more tips visit: Ace Get Inspired

Ace

I’m excited to offer the giveaway below!

WIN IT!

One reader of 2 Wired 2 Tired will win a $150 Ace Hardware Gift Card!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

To enter use the Rafflecopter form below.

Good luck!


Comments

  5. If I won I would love to buy exactly what you wrote about up above! I would love to get some bird feeders and a bird bath. Maybe some pretty flowers and planters to go with it. I live out in the country and we have lots of birds out here but I have yet to get a bird bath or feeder for them. I did put up one bird house but would love to buy more.

  11. I would buy painting supplies (paint, brushes, rollers, paint trays, etc.) and repaint the bathrooms in my house. I would also buy some birdseed for my backyard bird feeder.

  13. I love that bird bath! If I win, I’ll definitely have to see what kind of bird baths our store has.

  14. I think I’d get some bird feeders for my Mom’s cat to watch the birds at.

  16. I would get some gardening supplies and prepare for a wonderful summer.

  17. My husband is always getting something at the hardware store. He likes Ace better than the bigger stores. If nothing else we’ll get hummingbird food and possibly a few more feeders. They tell us when it’s empty by peeking into the windows or doing fly-bys if we’re outside and the feeder is low or empty.

  18. I am a die-hard gardener so I would buy all kinds of garden supplies. We have a natural wildlife garden that is certified, so I would buy seed for the birds as well.

  19. Our Ace Hardware is so fancy. If it didn’t have screwdrivers and lightbulbs I would never even know it was a hardware store. Love it!!!!

  20. We just had a brand new Ace Hardware here in McKinleyville, California. It’s huge and awesome! I’d definitely be headed for their yard art section! They have awesome plaques, gazing balls and statues! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win!

  22. I would get some birdhouses and feeders–we have some lovely birds in the area and I would like to encourage them in the area.

  24. I would buy Amy Howard chalk paint for a bedroom set I want to redo. Thank you so much for the giveaway!

  26. I would buy some more supplies to redo my fencing! Have a super weekend!

  27. I would buy supplies for a faerie garden full of herbs & hummingbird & butterfly friendly plants with a lovely bird bath in the middle.

  29. I would buy a couple of large pots to complete my container garden, then I’d find some bird feeders and accessories. I need to replace the open tray feeder I have because after a few years the wood is getting a little mildewy. I’d like a shepherd’s hook for my deck railing and if I can find one, a pretty water bowl.

    Hmm, maybe I’ll need more than $150. :)

  33. I would use it to buy more supplies to add onto my chicken coop. I want to add a large, movable run.

  37. I would give this gift card to my sons’ Grandpa Bill..he would love it!
    Thank you.

  39. If I won the gift card I would use it for things for my garden like mulch, fertilizer a new hose etc

  40. I would actually give the gift card to my brother instead of using it to buy something.

  42. I would use the GC get some plants and gardening supplies for my garden.

  45. I think I would buy some bird feeders and seed, and maybe some flowers to plant in the yard. Thank you!

  48. I would get some new plants and flowers for my yard. It is time for new landscaping.

  56. My oldest came home from school so excited about planting things in the classroom so I think it would be fun to get the supplies from Ace to get our own little garden going. Something fun for her and I to do together.

  58. I love feeding the birds and watching them, any time, any place. It would be nice to own feeder that squirrels can’t get to, plus a beautiful, colorful bird bath. Those are the first items I would buy, along with bird feed.

  60. I would buy a BBQ grill (as someone stole mine from the patio) and paint to refresh my walls.

  62. I would get the Jack-Post® Country Garden Hi-Back Glider so I can watch the birds in my yard!

  67. This would actually be a gift for my moms boyfriend. Thanks so much for the chance!

  75. I really like the birdbath you got. I need some new patio furniture and gardening supplies.

  78. I need to replace some boards in our deck, so I would buy some supplies for that!

  80. I’d enjoy a new grill. I’ve got my eye on one at the neighborhood Ace.

  81. I would definitely buy more bird feeders, hummingbird feeders and feeds for them. And other gardening essentials :)

  83. I would use it to get some patio furniture for our backyard, and some flowers for our garden!

  89. I would purchase supplies to repair two of our knobless doors in the house

    Thanks for the chance to win

  90. One thing I am looking at is paint or I think I would get the Rubbermaid® Laundry Hamper

  93. I would purchase a couple raised garden beds and gardening tools and soil.

  98. I would buy some gardening products. I want to have my back yard looking nice and fresh for summer. :)

  103. We would use it to buy stuff for our vegetable garden. A soil thermometer, soil test, compost, all kinds of fun stuff! haha

  105. I would buy some new brick pavers for our side door! It’s a small project that i’ve been nagging my husband about!

  106. I’m growing an urban garden, so I would definitely use it to buy a feeder and also additional supplies for the raised bed and fence gardens I’m growing. Thanks for the chance to win!

  109. I would love to use it to buy garden soil and new stain for my deck.

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

  110. I would love to buy a new bird feeder for my yard. One that I can see out my window.

  111. I would get birding supplies and some cracked corn for the ducks too. They really do have a great selection at our local Ace also.

  113. I’d purchase some sanding supplies for my sander, plus garden-related items.

  114. I could use all new gardening handtools and new gardening gloves this year, I would start with thst if I won the giveaway.

  115. I would buy some grass seed, furnace filters and some wild bird food and maybe a fancy feeder.

  116. id buy a chainsaw cause i need a tree cut down i keep thinking its gonna fall on my house so im not sure how id use it but i would have it so someone one could use so they can do it

  118. I would get a bench to put out in the mulch in our backyard. Thank you!!

  120. I would buy a bird feeder and bird food if I won. Thanks for the giveaway!

  124. Thank you for this interesting article. I had no idea Ace Hardware had such a nice selection of birding supplies. I’ll make a visit soon!

  126. I would love to buy the Songbird Feeder that is squirrel-proof. I’d also like to have some new gardening gloves.

  127. I would get stuff for the backyard – definitely bird items too – I love to watch them.

  128. If I won, I’d get a patio dining set so that we could have dinners outside during the beautiful Spring and Summer weather.

  131. I would buy new grates for my grill with an Ace Hardware gift card. Thanks for the chance.

  133. Oh, I have never thought to look at Ace for bird feeders and accessories! Looks like they have a great selection, I would love to shop for some new bird feeders, seed and decor. We love feeding the birds, we have some wild parrots that are always so fun to watch

  135. For starters I would buy a big bag of black sunflower seeds.
    I am a birder and have two feeders which I enjoy watching.
    thank you

  139. If I won $150 ace hardware giftcards4life.com I would buy some paint to do some remodeling around the house!

  141. I would probably spend most of it on fertilizer and grass seed.

    I live in Nebraska and we see a ton of bluejays and cardinals.

  146. I would buy bird feeders and bird baths, my husband and I have been talking the last two weeks about getting some.

  148. I would love to buy a bird bath for the backyard. I love watching the birds in the summer.
    Thank you!

  156. Oh I would love to buy some new planters and bird feeders for our garden! And ….probably some grass seed to put down in areas that need a little more grass.

  160. I would love to improve our yard! We have been here for 3 years and still have done nothing to the yard. It only has one tree and no plants. This would be a great start!!!!

  161. I use use the funds to buy gardening tools and equipment, I want to plant a garden this year.

  163. I would get a new hose to make it easier to water my butterfly bushes – they attract hummingbirds as well.

  165. We just bought a house so we need just about everything. We would get rakes, a garden house, furnace filter. And some fun things like a bird house or outdoor lighting.

  167. I am moving to a new condo so I would use the gift card to buy paint to paint my living room.

  171. If I won, I might buy items to use in our summer garden: sprinkler hose, containers, etc.

  172. I would give it to my husband so he can buy tools, and other supplies for this work.

  173. To start, I would buy some mulch for my front and back yard. I would also buy some fertilizer and hanging basket Shepherd hooks. I also would love a new wind chime and front door mat! I could go on, I love Ace Hardware!

  175. I would probably buy some mulch and weed killer as the front yard is looking messy right now.

  179. We love Ace Hardware, they have just about everything you would need for small home repairs. The staff is always helpful and very knowledgeable too! We could use some new yard decorations and fertilizers for the grass and garden!

  182. MY local ACE store is my first look place..they carry unusual as well as the popular.

  185. I really need a new yard trimmer, my last one started smoking and stopped dead! Ugh! :-) Thank you.

  194. I need so many random things here – light bulbs, paint and sand paper even bird feed.

  199. I need all new trash cans of all sizes for the outside and inside. Trash bags, mulch, plants are needed. This prize would go for all this.

  200. I would probably buy things we need around the house such as batteries, light bulbs and such

  202. I would buy plants for my front porch. Our local True Value has lots of beautiful hanging baskets in their garden center.

  205. If I won, I would buy a bird feeder, bird feed, bird bath and a hummingbird feeder

  207. I would get a weed wacker for my husband for Fathers Day. The one he had recently broke.