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Birds are spectacular creatures — full of grace and elegance, truly creatures of beauty that God placed on the earth for our enjoyment and to showcase His magnificence.

Ever since I was a small child, I have loved to watch birds as they battle against the wind, climbing almost out of sight and return moments later to snatch some seed from a feeder or rest upon an outstretched tree branch to sing a song of joy.

Birds just seem happy — unencumbered and unbothered by changes in temperature, light or season. They make me and millions of other people happy as they put on shows of color and poise in our gardens or along our windowsills.

Besides their tremendous entertainment value, birds do serve a number of purposes, which makes attracting them to your yard that much more important. Birds provide:

Pest control. A great number of birds enjoy dining on insects such as aphids, spiders, mosquitoes and other bugs that we don’t really want hanging about our yard. Attracting birds will keep these insect populations under control.

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Pollination. Birds such as hummingbirds, orioles and others sip the nectar from flowers and play an important role in pollination. Without pollination we would not have thriving gardens.

Weed control. Some birds such as sparrows, finches and towhees can be very helpful when it comes to controlling unwanted plants in your landscape.

Education. Besides entertainment, watching birds in your backyard gives an upfront chance to study local wildlife. This is a wonderful experience for the whole family and makes for a very worthwhile nature study.

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Conservation. As more and more habitats are being disrupted from development and human intrusion, birds, like other animals, need places to land. This is equally important for local birds as well as those that are migrating.

So, for whatever reason you see fit, here are some ways that you can attract more of these amazing creatures to your yard:

1. Food. In order to attract a wide variety of wild birds to your yard, it is imperative that you offer a diverse buffet of seeds, suet, nectar and other fitting treats. To know which type of food to offer, it is first important to learn about which kind of birds are in your area and which birds might stop during their migratory flight. A variety of feeders are also important — platforms, suet feeders, hanging feeders, etc. – in order to attract a wide variety of birds to your yard. Confused about foods? Then check out this North American bird feeding chart.

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2. Water. Many people may offer a variety of food but forget about water. Water is essential for birds just like it is for humans. Birds prefer moving water, but just about any water source often works. Install a moving water feature or even a bird bath, and watch the birds flock to your yard. Be sure to keep your water source clean and in good repair for best results

3. Shelter. Birds need a place to get away from predators and foul weather and a spot to birth and care for their young. Plant native bushes and trees, and put up birdhouses and nesting boxes according to the type of birds in your area.

4. Habitat. It is imperative that you create a welcoming habitat for birds if you desire to attract a variety to your yard. This will include trees, shrubs, grasses and plants. Native plantings are always best. Do research on what types of plants are native to your location before planting. The more you can mimic what is found in the wild, the more the birds will feel at home.

Have fun with your bird visitors!

What is your advice for attracting birds? Share it in the section below:

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Sometimes as prepared folks, we forget that most people do not “prep.” In fact, most people have a very backward view of prepping and survivalism in general.

While we see non-preppers as naive, non-preppers see us as crazy militia members hunkering down in the woods or stocking MREs in bunkers. This negative view is pushed by the media, the Internet, and even by politicians.

In reality, though, prepping is simply an extension of becoming self-reliant.

But should you even care if your neighbor, friend or family member thinks you are crazy? I say you should, for several reasons:

• Security — a group survives easier than a person.
• Diversity – a group of people will have a diverse range of skills, not to mention more food and survival items.
• Prevention – desperate neighbors who know you prep can become desperate enemies when their bellies are empty.

How do you convince your family, friends and neighbors to become more self-reliant, even a survivalist or prepper? Well, first off, it’s not easy. Recognize right away that some people will just refuse to be turned, for numerous reasons. The biggest reason is that some people don’t want their bubble popped – and refuse to believe the government won’t always be there to protect them. Other people, though, will be more open.

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How do you bring it up? For starters, I’d choose someone I could trust, and not someone who would run their mouth. Consider this talk an investment in the people around you.

Do not come at them full force, with some sort of presentation about how the government is going to collapse any day now, or how an EMP is going to wipe out our infrastructure — or anything else that can be misconstrued easily. I’m not knocking anyone’s beliefs, or saying anyone is wrong; however, without having a frame of reference, and a working knowledge of the relationship that is built over time, you may come off as unhinged.

Do not treat this like someone going door to door to sell you something. Knowing when to bring it up and how to bring it up is important. So far, my favorite times have been during episodes of the Walking Dead, or survival shows on Discovery and Nat Geo.

These programs can prompt mild and interesting discussions about tactics, supplies, weaponry, shelter, etc. These conversation also can quickly became light-hearted debates about prepping in general. It’s here that you can interject experience, and knowledge. Don’t come at them with “both barrels,” though.

Discussions On The Gun Range

Another way to spark the discussion is to take someone shooting. I’ve taken many people shooting, and with the right weapons and guidance it’s always fun. Shoot zombie targets, use cowboy guns, show your local Call of Duty fans an AR-15 or an AK-47. The firearms world was my entry into survival. Getting someone interested in owning a gun is often the first step into being self-reliant. All journeys start with a single step, and this is no different.

When I met my wife, she had never fired a weapon in her life. A few years later, she has an EDC (everyday carry) license and can spit the acronyms as well as I do. She’s into survival and prepping to a degree; you won’t find her in heated discussions on forums, but she supports the idea, and agrees we never have enough ammo. I’ve long considered guns to be the icebreaker of the survival world.

Defeating Common Arguments

I’ve defended my prepping nature many times in my life, often against naysayers who at first thought I was a bit nuts. I’ve learned to cite examples, and of course, not appear crazy. I treat it the same way I treat mature discussions about politics with people with whom I disagree – carefully toeing a line between making a point and yelling back and forth. I explain I’m not prepping for a nuclear war with Russia, but for real scenarios. One of my favorite lines that often appeals to those who believe in the government safety net is this: “Even the government advises to keep three day worth of food and water.”

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I can show them the ready.gov/build-a-kit page. This is essentially a very simple, and very easy to follow how-to on building a bug-out bag. They call it a disaster supplies kit, but the idea is roughly the same. Another favorite discussion starter is Hurricane Katrina. Point out how long it took for the government to get water and food to survivors.

Never come on too strong regarding what someone should do. It’s often better to answer questions and then offer advice for the new prepper.

I explain that my preps will more likely than not be used in a natural disaster – and, for me, that’s probably hurricanes since I live in Florida. This, of course, varies with the area.

Staying Sane

You’ll always have someone who wants to fight and argue about how crazy you are, and how prepping itself is crazy. The best way to prevent it is to stop the argument and do not validate them. Just drop it, and walk away.

Stay calm and prep on!

What advice would you add on talking to others about survival and prepping? Share your thoughts in the section below:

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