Posted on 02/12/2005 9:27:14 AM PST by sweetliberty
With Spring just around the corner, at least here in the southeast, it's time to think about spending more time outdoors and making our yards and porches more pleasant places to be. FReepers have such a wide variety of interests and talents, I thought it might be fun and educational to do a thread for bird and garden enthusiasts. I see a fair amount of discussion on some of the threads about gardening and landscaping, but not too much that is specific to gardening for the birds.
I've pretty much always had a bird feeder or two around, and that number has grown since I moved into a place last summer that has a big yard. I have a fair variety of birds and I have begun to think about developing it specifically to attract more species, not only for the enjoyment of watching the birds, but also to control natural pests that are prevalent in this part of the country, without resorting to pesticides. I know that the right combination of flora can discourage certain pests and also attract birds that will help keep the pest population down. I would love to hear from FReepers who are experienced at creating such a balance. I think it would also be fun to have a place to share our experiences as we develop them. I know there's lots of links out there with useful information and I make use of them from time to time, but it's just not the same as having discussions on a forum where we have experts on everything. And I don't know of any place else on the web so animated by wit, along with wisdom, on just about any topic.
The Georgia state bird - the name escapes me right now - is yearly visitor here in Northern Virginia. We have one that just stops by for a couple days every summer and hangs out in the yard eating bugs. It took a couple years for me to figure out what he was. I think they are common in VA, just not in the city.
Very nice pictures.
I have alot of dead wood out in my pasture. The most interesting bird, that alot of people do not get the opprotunity to see, and in my experience have never heard of is a Pilated Woodpecker. They are very very large woodpeckers. The first time I saw one I was amazed how big they are and how pretty. I haven't been able to get a picture of one yet. They are an endangered species. I see it fly over the house often in the mornings.
Becky
Brown Thrasher? We had those when I was growing up in Virginia.
I don't leave it out in summer - and it is cold enough this winter that I don't think it is bad. I check it when I fill the feeders to make sure there are no bugs.
Thanks, that was only my second attempt at flowers:). We just put up the fence around the patio 2 years ago. I have horses and dogs that like to sample anything I plant, so I never got to plant much. Now I'm haveing alot of fun every year trying new things.
Becky
They are huge. The one I saw was high in a tree in my front yard. I was watching him out my kitchen window. He was there for the longest time. I haven't seen him since, but I don't expect he's gone far, and I'm sure where there's one, there are others. There are a lot of big trees around here. Kind of a comical looking bird, in my opinion.
Brown Thrasher - that's it. I've only ever seen the one that visits and he's always alone. Not sure if they are field birds or forest.
His camper was parked under a large mesquite tree that had the largest flock(?) of hummingbirds living in it.
I have never seen anything like that before or since, and not once did either of us think to take to take pictures of the hundreds of little birds! Both of us were into photography too.
For those who want to be amused. We have one of these and it is hilarious. The squirrels do back flips:
http://www.yankeeflipper.com/droll/index.cfm
We have lots of downys, and red breasted woodpeckers. But on very rare occasions see the pilated. I've seen one more often this past year because I just recently started "looking" for birds:). I had no clue that we had such a varity here. Oklahoma. I put feeders out in the winter for the birds.
Becky
They fly funny too. Kind of like a swimmer doing the breast stroke:)
I always recogonize it when it flies over because of the way it flaps.
Becky
This one showed up a few days ago and I've seen him every day since. I hope he brings in the family.
Brown Thrashers are pretty solitary birds and they have one heck of a song too. You can usually find them foraging in undergrowth and thrashing about amongst leaves, hence, the name.
I might have missed it,,,did you say, do you put something out to attract them, or did he just show up?
Becky
Thought you would enjoy this thread.
Becky
Yeah, that's one I was looking at the last time I was at the Wild Bird Store. The lady said they're very effective, and it would be harmless entertainment seeing the little buggers flung to the ground. I watched that video on that link before. It is hysterical.
He just showed up. This does seem to be a woodpecker paradise though. There are several varieties around here and most are abundant.
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