Eleanor Hartwick

Bird Feeding Researcher & Garden Naturalist

I've been observing and feeding backyard birds for over twenty years, starting when a robin nested in our garden shed. What began as casual curiosity evolved into a genuine passion for understanding how feeders affect local bird populations and urban ecosystems. I maintain detailed records of visitor species, seasonal patterns, and feeder-related challenges—mice, squirrels, weather impacts—that keep me troubleshooting year-round. My garden has become an unofficial testing ground for placement strategies, food types, and maintenance best practices. I'm fascinated by the tension between wanting to help birds and unintentionally creating new problems, which is why I focus on practical, honest answers rather than idealized advice. Outside the garden, I enjoy photography, local naturalist groups, and feeding my two slightly overweight cats indoors only.