Backyard birding fun for the entire family

Backyard birding is a fun, inexpensive, family friendly hobby. Kermit Cummings, author of the children's book, "A Backyard Birding Adventure," offers five simple steps to help families get started.

1.Start in your own backyard.If you are interested in getting to know more about the world of birds, start where you live. Learn about the birds in your neighborhood. Once you start paying attention, you might be surprised how many are out there.

2.Attract new birds.The first step is to put up a feeder. A mixture of 90 percent sunflower seeds and 10 percent small grains will make your backyard a popular spot for feathered visitors. Another must is a birdbath. Birds use birdbaths as an important resource for bathing and drinking.

3. Expand your knowledge."How do I know what I'm seeing?" This is a common question from beginners. Buy a field guide for the birds in your part of the country and spend some time learning about the differences that separate the various families. Pair it with a children's birding book so that the whole family can learn together. "A Backyard Birding Adventure" entertains kids while teaching them about our feathered friends with rhyming text, photographs and color illustrations. It even features an interactive mobile app that allows you take a picture of a bird and then hear the bird's call right from your device.

4. Get the gear.The piece of equipment every birder needs is a quality binocular. The binocular opens up a whole new world of beauty. There are usually little birds flitting around in the upper branches of trees that can't be seen without one.

5. Start a "life list."Not all birders keep records of the bird species they see, but many do. A life list is a list of all the species you see from the day you start keeping track. Life lists often include the number, the name of the bird, the date and location it was seen, and any other details you'd like to add.