A bird feeder is provided having a seed reservoir with a side wall that has at least one seed access opening and an adjustable feed port assembly. The feed port assembly includes a base mounted to the side wall in a fixed relationship thereto and having a central opening in communication with the seed in the reservoir. Fitted to the base is a rotatable insert having a perch coupled thereto in fixed relationship so that the perch and insert rotate as a unit. The insert is rotatable between two positions, an upright position in which the perch is below the base central opening enabling birds to feed while standing on the perch, and an upside down position in which the perch is above the base central opening, requiring birds to hang upside down from the perch to feed.

A method for inhibiting erosion at a coastal location includes inducing coastal vegetation to take root in a site-compatible mat including a biodegradable mat combined at most with fertilizer, sand, and/or soil. After the coastal vegetation has taken root in the site-compatible mat, the mat is placed on the coastal location, and the coastal vegetation is allowed to take root as the biodegradable mat decomposes. In embodiments, the coastal location can be a flat area of sand, or a constructed or naturally occurring sand dune. The site-compatible mat can include fertilizer and/or coir, which can be brown coir. The mat can include and/or be covered by sand or soil having a composition that is substantially equivalent to sand or soil that is indigenous to the coastal location. Bird roosting stakes can be planted through the mat.

A method for inhibiting erosion at a coastal location includes inducing coastal vegetation to take root in a site-compatible mat including a biodegradable mat combined at most with fertilizer, sand, and/or soil. After the coastal vegetation has taken root in the site-compatible mat, the mat is placed on the coastal location, and the coastal vegetation is allowed to take root as the biodegradable mat decomposes. In embodiments, the coastal location can be a flat area of sand, or a constructed or naturally occurring sand dune. The site-compatible mat can include fertilizer and/or coir, which can be brown coir. The mat can include and/or be covered by sand or soil having a composition that is substantially equivalent to sand or soil that is indigenous to the coastal location. Bird roosting stakes can be planted through the mat.

A bird feeder is provided having adjustable port access. The feeder includes a seed reservoir with a side wall that has at least one seed access opening and an adjustable feed port element. According to one embodiment, the adjustable feed port element is a feed port assembly. The feed port assembly includes a base with a rotatable insert having a perch coupled thereto in fixed relationship so that the perch and insert rotate as a unit. According to another embodiment, the adjustable feed port element rotates around the perch between a first position in which the perch is below a feed port being accessed, enabling birds to feed while standing on the perch, and a second position in which the perch is above a feed port being accessed, requiring birds to hang upside down from the perch to feed.

A bird station comprising a perching area, and a detachable electronic control module comprising: at least one of a camera unit and a microphone unit; a controller; and an object detection unit comprising a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). The VCSEL is operable to generate a source beam directed towards the perching area of the bird station. The object detection unit is arranged to detect a return beam formed by reflection of the source beam from an object when the object is located in the perching area of the bird station and, based on a detection of the return beam, determine that there is an object located in the perching area. The controller is operable to activate the one of the camera unit and the microphone unit in response to the object detection unit determining that there is an object located in the perching area of the bird station.

A bird station comprising a perching area, and a detachable electronic control module comprising: at least one of a camera unit and a microphone unit; a controller; and an object detection unit comprising a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). The VCSEL is operable to generate a source beam directed towards the perching area of the bird station. The object detection unit is arranged to detect a return beam formed by reflection of the source beam from an object when the object is located in the perching area of the bird station and, based on a detection of the return beam, determine that there is an object located in the perching area. The controller is operable to activate the one of the camera unit and the microphone unit in response to the object detection unit determining that there is an object located in the perching area of the bird station.

A bird perch that removably mounts to a panel. The bird perch includes a rail system including an upper rail and two outer rails. Each of the outer rails are connected by first and second curved supports to the upper rail. Two changeable, protective inserts supported in the first and second curved supports and easily removed for fast clean up.

A bird perch that removably mounts to a panel. The bird perch includes a rail system including an upper rail and two outer rails. Each of the outer rails are connected by first and second curved supports to the upper rail. Two changeable, protective inserts supported in the first and second curved supports and easily removed for fast clean up.

A pole system is provided for supporting birding accessories, such as bird feeders, perches or bird houses. The pole system includes a hollow outer tube and an elongated post extending therethrough. The post has an auger at one end and an opposite end configured to engage a tool for rotating the post. An extension tube can be provided to extend the height of the pole system and that can be used as a tool for driving the auger into the ground. A clamp is provided for engagement with the outer tube, in which the clamp includes a recess for removably slidably receiving a tongue of an accessory. A doubler is also provided that can be received within the clamp recess and which includes a pair of sleeves for receiving the tongue of other accessories.

A bird feeder includes a main body and a first shooting device. The main body includes a feeding tray and a vacant area is formed between the first shooting device and the feeding tray and prevents birds from perching between the first shooting device and the feeding tray. The presence of the vacant area between the first shooting device and the feeding tray ensures that no position is available for the birds to perch between the first shooting device and the feeding tray, forcing the birds to stand only at a side of the feeding tray away from the first shooting device to feed, and keeping the birds within an optimal focusing range, thereby improving the imaging quality.