During the winter month, visitors are invited to Beech Creek Gardens to experience the thrill of hand-feeding wild birds out of the palm of their hands.

We were excited about the opportunity to feed birds and the experience was amazing! When we first arrived, the volunteer explained what to do and gave us each a handful of sunflower seeds and crushed up peanuts. She mentioned that the mixture is like candy to the birds.

Because the birds are most active when the temperature are cold and there is snow on the ground, the conditions were perfect when we visited. We waited less than a minute for the first bird to land on our hands. It was amazing to feel the little bird feet on your fingers.

The setup is perfect for kids because they have arranged small boards for people to rest their hands on.  These boards made it possible for my kids to hold their hand still for long periods of time without dropping the bird food.

We fed the birds for about 15 minutes and each of us had between 10-20 birds land on our hands during that time.

After our excitement we warmed our hands by the nearby fire, had some hot chocolate and spent about an hour exploring the Amazing Garden Nature Center.  We got to see animals, a train table, a wide variety of plants and flowers and the kids had fun with all the interactive games and activities.

Overall it was a great experience and I can't wait to visit in the summer to see the Butterfly House.

Bird in Hand at Beech Creek 
Experience the thrill of hand-feeding wild chickadees at Beech Creek Gardens! Enjoy the fresh winter air as you explore the outdoors and connect with nature. Visitors will also enjoy a warm outdoor fire, hot cocoa, and marshmallows for roasting. Bring the whole family to this unique experience! {Find Out More}
When: January 2, 2021 through February 28, 2021; Saturdays and Sundays from 12-3 pm
Where:  11929 Beech St. NE Alliance, Ohio 44601 (The bird feeder is just across the main bridge over Beech Creek, about a 5 minute walk from the parking lot).
Cost: Admission rates apply

In addition to the ability to hand feed birds at Beech Creek Gardens, there are a variety of other parks and nature centers that allow guest to hand feed birds during the winter months. 

• FREE Hand-Feed Chickadee at Brecksville Reservation – Saturday & Sundays from 10am-noon – Bring your own black oil sunflower seed and stop by the nature center for instructions on how to make this experience one to remember. {Find Out More}
• FREE Bird in the Hand Feeding Station at The West Woods – Daily between 10am-4pm – Geauga Parks District has a dedicated spot at The West Woods where guest can hand feed birds. {Find Out More}

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• Winter Fun Guide – 100+ Things to do across Northeast Ohio this Winter