The best way to invite birds into your yard is with bird feeders, birdbaths, or nest boxes--and you only need one. My first bird feeder used suction cups to attach to the window. Within a month, birds like cardinals, cowbirds, chickadees, wrens, and titmice were visiting.

Within three months, we had over 20 individual birds that had come, mainly cardinals, who even started bringing their babies to the bird feeders. We saw birds every day, in the bird feeder and also in the yard and trees. We also had a birdbath, which, after we put up the bird feeder, the birds drank from relatively often. A couple of months after we put up the first bird feeder, we added a hummingbird feeder.

Near the end of the year, we added many more bird feeders and birdbaths and nest boxes. It took a few days for the birds to get used to the bird feeders, but after that, they came often.

We now have over 60 species who visit our yard, and we always get excited when they come. Even if you're not ready to add a bird feeder to your yard yet, you can use the buffet technique. Just pour some seeds out on a surface (a deck railing works well) and watch the birds come eat. Happy backyard birding!

Backyard Birding