Today is the start of my new regular weekly article on backyard birdfeeding and birdwatching called - At The Birdfeeder. With an estimated 1 in 4 people in the United States (and maybe more locally in Ann Arbor!) feeding and watching birds on a regular basis, there's A LOT of interest. Having been an enthusiastic birdfeeding and birdwatching enthusiast for over 35 years, it's an exciting opportunity for me to reach more local "bird nuts" like myself!

Just some of the topics I plan to write about are: the types of birds that visit our feeders, how to attract more of them, solving squirrel problems, using nesting boxes to attract other species of birds, making our yards safer for birds and wildlife, and bird gardening basics. But I also want to hear from you and what questions you have about the backyard birds and wildlife that visit your feeders. So, PLEASE feel free to join the discussion!

You may be interested in knowing my background in this area. Some readers may remember me as the local Wild Birds Unlimited store owner for many years. I founded the business in 1991, owned it for over 15 years, and finally sold it to David and Sheryl Mitchell in 2006. Over this time, I have helped literally thousands of people better enjoy their birdfeeding and birdwatching hobbies. I've also written many articles on birdfeeding as well as given many talks to local groups about backyard birds.

Currently I am President of the Michigan Bluebird Society, a non-profit organization I helped co-found in 2001. The group is dedicated to helping improve the nesting success and habitat of the eastern bluebird in the state of Michigan. For those of you who are not aware, bluebird populations fell sharply for decades until the later 1970's when DDT (a harmful farm pesticide) was banned and people started putting up nesting boxes.

Finally, I am a member of the Washtenaw Audubon Society, where I have coordinated the local feeder count effort for the Christmas Bird Count over the past 10 years. Go to Washtenaw Audubon's website to learn how you can volunteer to help count birds during this Saturday's Christmas count.

We are lucky in Washtenaw County to have a diverse population of birds - many of which have largely disappeared from more developed counties nearby. Also, we are blessed with many natural areas that have wisely been preserved over the years. Even within the city limits we have excellent areas to see wild birds - Nichols Arboretum, Bird Hills Nature area, Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Dolph Park, and Furstenberg Nature area are just a few. Having grown up in suburban Detroit where nature preserves are very few and far between, Washtenaw County is the place to be for bird lovers!

Now that winter is here, conditions can be very harsh for wild birds. Extreme cold, short daylight hours, and heavy show are just 3 factors that can make it a challenge for survival. Birds need more calories each day to make up for the greater energy they need to burn to stay warm. So, birdfeeding can make a difference to help birds survive.

Look for new posts on Wednesday. See you soon, At The Birdfeeder!