Now that the holidays are over, we are making a list of resolutions that we thought we'd share. Everyone is so busy from Thanksgiving through New Year's, it's easy to forget about our birds. It's time to relax, unwind and enjoy our feathered friends!

1. Take the time to just sit and watch your bird feeders. Turn off the TV, laptop and cell phones, and just watch birds. Your stress will melt away.
 
2. Keep a bird watching journal or list. Track how many species you actually attract to your yard this year. You might be surprised! Winter brings sparrows, juncos, sapsuckers, kinglets and waxwings. Spring will bring migrants like tanagers and warblers passing through in spectacular plumage. Summer is busy with Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Indigo Buntings and Gray Catbirds, and then the longer Fall migration season brings migrants again, even if they are a little drab!
 
3. Join eBird. Become a citizen scientist and make your backyard birds count! Explore their website www.eBird.org. It's a treasure trove of bird watching information. If you are free on Sunday, January 26th, from 3:30 - 5:30, Dr. Joel McNeal, Georgia's eBird coordinator (or "eBird nerd," as he calls himself), will be the speaker at the Atlanta Audubon Society (AAS) meeting. See why eBird is so important for the future of birds!  http://www.atlantaaudubon.org/

4. Go on that bird walk you've been wanting to do. AAS and other local birding organizations have frequent field trips with experienced leaders. Most are free and non-members are always welcome. They may even have an extra pair of binoculars to lend if you don't have a pair! Click Here for a list of upcoming trips.

5. Clean your feeders. We are all guilty of this, but it is very important to keep feeders free of bacteria, mold and mildew so our birds are healthy. With all the rain we've had, feeders get filthy quickly. Make sure seed is not clumping. If seeds are starting to sprout in your feeders, clean them more often. Plastic and glass can be cleaned with a solution of 10 parts water to 1 part plain bleach. For metals and wood feeders, we recommend an enzyme-based cleaner like Scoot Bird Feeder Cleaner. It is very safe for your birds and the environment.
 
6. Share your bird watching passion. It's a great activity that everyone can do. Start kids young and they will develop an appreciation for nature that will last their lifetime. Not many hobbies can be enjoyed by the whole family!