home & hearth Attract Backyard Birds with the Right Seeds

Courtesy of Family Features

While most bird seed may look pretty much the same to you, it doesn’t to the birds you’re feeding. Knowing what kinds of seeds different birds like can help you attract a variety of fine feathered friends to your feeders

Consider these popular seed types and the common backyard birds they attract:

Sunflower – Black sunflower seeds attract blue jays, goldfinches, woodpeckers, purple finches, chickadees, titmice and nuthatches. Striped sunflower seeds appeal to chickadees, doves, grosbeaks, northern cardinals, nuthatches, titmice and woodpeckers. Sunflower hearts (also known as “hulled sunflower” and “sunflower chips”) attract chickadees, common redpolls, juncos, doves, finches, goldfinches, grosbeaks, nuthatches, pine siskins, titmice and woodpeckers.

Nyjer – These lightweight, tiny seeds are a favorite of goldfinches. Put nyjer seeds in a hanging feeder with tiny holes so the small seeds won’t get blown away. Nyjer also attracts redpolls, juncos, doves, indigo bunting and pine siskin.

Safflower – These white seeds are slightly smaller than black sunflower seeds. Because they are bitter, grackles, blue jays, starlings – and squirrels – don’t like them. However, they do attract doves, purple finches, chickadees, titmice and downy woodpeckers.

White millet – Good for scattering on the ground, white millet

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Cracked corn – Popular with ground feeders, cracked corn appeals to doves, crows, jays, sparrows, juncos and towhees. Avoid getting finely cracked corn as it’s vulnerable to rot and can quickly turn to mush.

When choosing a bird seed mix, pay attention to the ingredients list on the package. Bird seed is required by law to list ingredients in order of content. Some cheaper mixes have filler seeds such as wheat, red milo, red millet or “assorted grain products.” Most backyard birds won’t eat those, and your seed mix could end up wasted on the ground.

Learn more about making your backyard an oasis for birds of all kinds at eLivingtoday.com.

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Farmers Markets

Historic Downtown Manassas: Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center Street, Manassas

Prince William Farmers Market: Thursdays, 3 to 7 p.m., Pfitzner Stadium, 7 County Complex Court, Woodbridge

Historic Downtown Manassas: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Prince William Street Commuter Lot, 9024

Prince William Street, Manassas

Market on Main: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Garrison Park, 17749 Main Street, Dumfries

Dale City Farmers Market: Sundays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 14090 Gemini Way, Dale City

Manassas City Police Department National Night Out

Tues. Aug. 1 | 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Manassas Museum Lawn

9101 Prince William Street, Manassas

Food, snow cones, police demonstrations, and games as part of the National Night Out efforts for safer, more caring places to live as community partners and have fun together.

Summer “Yappy Hours”

Wed. Aug. 2 | 5 to 7 p.m.

Olde Dominion Tavern

5351 Merchants View Square, Haymarket

Fetch drinks at the bar with your friends from A Pup’s Valley during “Yappy Hours” at Olde Dominion Tavern.

My Pet Alpaca

Thurs. Aug. 3 | 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Nokesville Library

12993 Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville

Get up close and personal with the adorable, cuddly creatures from My Pet Alpaca! You'll have the chance to meet and greet these lovable, fuzzy friends and learn all about their unique personalities and traits.

First Friday: Dog Days of Summer

Fri. Aug. 4 | 6 to 9 p.m.

Historic Downtown Manassas Streets are closed to traffic and opened to pedestrians so visitors can casually stroll through downtown. Restaurants offer specialty foods and drinks, and shops stay open later than normal.

30th Annual Manassas

African American Heritage Festival

Sat. Aug. 5 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Metz Middle School

9950 Wellington Road, Manassas

Live DJ A-Ron, 100+ vendors, including arts and crafts dealers, retailers of African Wares, youth groups, colleges and school exhibits, health fair, and great food vendors. Classic Car Show, free school supplies, and live entertainment. All are welcome!

Guided Museum Tour

Sun. Aug. 6 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Leesylvania State Park

2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge

Have you ever wondered what Leesylvania would have looked like 20,000 years ago, or who lived there in the 1700s? Now is your chance to learn all about Leesylvania's natural and human history on a guided tour through the museum and Discovery Room. More information: 703-583-6904

Museum Kids Monday at Brentsville

Mon. Aug. 7 | 10 to 11 am.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow

Explore history through sight, sound, smell, and touch through hands-on activities and crafts! Topics will vary each month. Adult must be able to participate with children. Please contact the site to learn about the subject of the month.

Financial Glee: A Financial Workshop Series

Thurs. Aug. 10 | 3 to 4 p.m. Haymarket Gainesville Library 14870 Lightner Road, Haymarket

This workshop series is led by financial experts from Financial Glee. Learn what to look out for, available resources that work, and key tips on how to plan for social security, wealth building, and ultimately have financial freedom.

Fridays at 5 Concert Series

Fri. Aug 11, Fri. Aug. 25 | 5 p.m.

Sean T. Connaughton Community Plaza County Complex Court, Woodbridge

A Friday evening concert with food and beverages available. Aug. 11: Lloyd & Friends. Aug. 25: 9th Gear.

PWC Fair

Fri. Aug. 11 to Sat. Aug. 19

Prince William County Fairgrounds

10624 Dumfries Road, Manassas

The PWC Fair is back with rides, food, music, vendors, demolition derbies, monster trucks, a pageant, and more! Visit pwcfair.com/2023fair for daily schedules.

Prince William County Public Schools is Hiring

Thurs. Aug 17 | 10 a.m. to 12 noon

Potomac Library

2201 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge

The Prince William County Public School System will have a recruitment table in the Children's area of the library. Stop by to check for openings.

Walking Tours of Prince William Towns: The Settlement

Fri. Aug. 18 | 7 p.m.

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

15008 Lee Highway, Gainesville

Join local historians once a month this summer for walking tours of historic towns in Prince William County. This month, visit The Settlement, a historic African American community located along Carver Road and Route 29. Call 703-792-4754 for more information.

Discover Occoquan

Sat. Aug. 19 to Sun. Aug. 20

Historic Occoquan

Celebrate Occoquan businesses with activities including interactive classes and free demonstrations hosted by town merchants, plus a Scavenger Hunt, Taste of Occoquan, and Sip & Shop event, Trivia Night, the famous Duck Splash, a corn hole tournament, a concert, and more! Visitors are invited to browse the town’s unique shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and cafes to experience all that Occoquan has to offer.

Community Health Fair

Sat. Aug. 19 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

VFW Post 1503

14631 Minnieville Road, Dale City

Presented by Saved Hands Foundation. Families will have the chance to visit each health care vendor before receiving free