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.
Service Berry is cheap and I can't imagine it not growing anywhere. As I said it does sucker shoot.
I too love the birds. The biggest thrill I ever had was one winter day it was snowing quite heavily. I looked out my window to my finch feeder about 30 foot away and saw several finch looking birds but something was different (the white on the wing). I got my binoculars out, looked them up in my Peterson's Bird Book and low and behold there were about 5 white winged crossbills. I had no idea birds had crossbills but the bill surely got the thistle seed from the finch feeder. They were there about 1 hour. I had never seen them (or never looked so close and identified them). They returned once again weeks later and it again was snowing. This kind of watching is intense as you are looking at all birds for differences and using the binoculars on a regular basis through out the day. I found that is how you really see what you have feeding.
Two days ago I had a Flicker at my large bird feeder that hangs from the overhang about 6" from French Doors in the family room. All 4 cats sit and watch the feeder but apparently the birds know they can't get through the door. For some reason the squirrels can't get to this feeder. They have even tried to climb the screen but can't jump or reach the feeder. The grandkids love to watch the squirrels and the birds as do I.
The bird in the top pictures looks like a Flicker. Is the underside of the tail yellow?
They call it a red-bellied woodpecker.
That's how I developed my love for birds and squirrels and the garden. My grandma and great-grandma both kept very bird and squirrel friendly yards and wonderful gardens. I learned very young to point out the different kinds of birds by name. My dad and stepmom have lots of feeders and birdhouses and really enjoy birds as well. In fact, I'm thinking that that Yankee Flipper bird feeder might make them an excellent gift. LOL!
Of course you are correct, yellow-shafted Northern Flicker has tan in the grey areas and the chest is white with black spots. Under the wings and the tail are bright yellow. Both are beautiful. But then all the birds are when you take the time to really look at them.
Purple martins are good, but bats are better, since they hunt and feed at dusk when martins are roosting. I have had no sucess with luring bats to my houses, though.
I agree, they are all beautiful. They all are uniquely decorated.
Golly.... we have a TON of bats. I never knew it till we went out in the pasture at night... They were everywhere.
We don't have any mosquitos really.
I think the most important thing to birds, besides feed, is water. And the sound of tinkling water attracts them from miles around to drink and bathe. Just a little fountain in the garden or on the deck will bring you delight in seeing their antics.
Do you make your own sugar water or buy the premix type? Just curious, as it can make a difference.
No. I always go out and bang pots and pans with they come in in droves and try to roost. My small town also has a cannon that they use to make loud enough noise to make them leave.
Yes it is. I never did get a defroster for my birdbath because of not having an outdoor source of electricity readily available, but I took to putting out a big pan of water in freezing weather. I got 2 of the pans so that when one would freeze, I could just switch them. Sometimes in the morning before I would have a chance to get out and change the pans, the birds would be pecking at the ice. They have gotten as good as Nermal at modifying my priorities at home. They still get upset if the birdbath is empty though, even when there is a fresh pan of water right below it.
By the way, see post #48. Seems you have a Missouri neighbor who's married to a Louisiana feller.
Yes, I love woodpeckers...until they start on the cedar siding of my home. There are four big holes now to be patched. And they and not 'drumming' yet, just hoping to find insects in the wood. Grrrrr
Well, I guess that is one advantage with a trailer . a mobile home. aluminum siding. I'm thinking that with all the woodpeckers around here, I probably should collect some dead wood and pack it with sweet treats to attract the bugs....away from the house, and let the woodpeckers have a feast.
I would love to put in a fountain type thing. It would have to recycle the water because of watering restrictions, but I think most are set up that way, aren't they? I wonder how much I could do one for.
Oh my, you can have a recyling fountain with just a couple of gallons of water, really.
I want to say that I have enjoyed this thread and I think many others have also. If it dies out, you should make a new one every week.
Thanks for the ping, Becky!
We have a light like a street light in our front yard, we live in the country, it attracts moths that attract bats. You can see them darting in to catch the moths.
Becky
Hello:)
How's the things doing that you and your kids started indoors? Anything growing yet?
Becky
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