Since 2010, Mailbag Monday has given readers the opportunity to ask their birding and wild bird related questions on any topic: feeding birds, finding birds in the field, bird houses, birding travel and more. Knowing previous questions can help you submit your inquiries without repetition, and these common birding questions can help everyone be a better birder, whether it is in the field or in your own backyard.
Previous Mailbag Monday questions for 2011 are archived here, with the most recent questions listed first. Read through the list to see what questions have already been answered, and submit your own inquiries to Mailbag Monday!
Out of Focus
David DeHetre
12/12/2011 – Submitted by Dottie in Michigan.
"My eyesight gets a little worse each year and I can't afford to always buy new binoculars to compensate. Is there any way to adjust them so they work better for me?"
Gifts of Conservation
Steve Hillebrand/USFWS
11/28/2011 – Submitted by Evelynn in Wisconsin.
"I don't like holiday shopping because my family is widely scattered and shipping can be so expensive. Are there bird conservation organizations that offer easy gift subscriptions I can give?"
Feeding Turkeys
Melissa Mayntz
11/21/2011 – Submitted by Tina in South Carolina.
"I'm thrilled to have turkeys visiting my rural backyard, but what can I feed them? They're eating all the expensive sunflower seed from my feeders. I'd like to offer them something less expensive so my other birds can eat too!"
Fun With Flocks
Tim Regan
11/14/2011 – Submitted by Jessie in Arizona.
"I love to watch flocks of birds on migration, but why do birds flock? I should think it would be hard for so many birds traveling together to find food, so why do they do it?"
Field Bags
davidd
11/7/2011 – Submitted by Nell in Virginia.
"As I get more into birding, I'm having to carry along a lot more stuff when I go outside. Do you have a recommendation for the right bag for a birder?"
Pumpkins for Birds
Rich Bowen
10/31/2011 – Submitted by Kay in Texas.
"After Halloween, will birds eat pumpkins that have been carved? I hate to just throw them out!"
Binns and More
Dana Beveridge
10/24/2011 – Submitted by Lyle in New York.
"I've been birding for a couple of years, but just bought a better pair of binoculars and they're really heavy. I've seen other birders wearing a type of harness with their optics - where could I get one of those, and is it worth it?"
Bird Field Marks
Bill Majoros
10/17/2011 – Submitted by Ted in Louisiana.
“I'm just getting started birding (I'm 67) and my eyesight isn't so great anymore, so it can be hard to see the birds clearly. I have good binoculars, but do you have any recommendations for how I should actually be looking at birds to learn to identify them, even without a great view?"
Feeding Backyard Hawks Meat
Linda Tanner
10/10/2011 – Submitted by Pat in Idaho.
“I have a Cooper's hawk hanging around my backyard feeders, and I hate to see it capture one of my finches or other birds. Can I put out meat, like hamburger or stew beef, to feed the hawk instead? Wouldn't it prefer an easy meal instead of unsuccessful hunts?"
Birder or Bird Watcher?
Mike Beauregard
9/26/2011 – Submitted by Helen in Georgia.
"My best friend and I both love birds. We both have feeders, enjoy visiting local parks to see birds and look forward to an annual local migration festival, but are we birders or bird watchers? I call myself a birder, but she says bird watcher is more appropriate. What's the difference between the two?"
