Attention Bird Gardening Enthusiasts

self | February 12, 2005 | sweetliberty

[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.

[R. Scott]

For years I tried unsuccessfully to keep the squirrels away from the bird feeder. They outwitted every fancy and expensive “squirrel-proof” feeder I bought. I finally beat them. I hung the feeder out of reach on a long thin nylon cord. It is too slick for the squirrels to grip and too far away for them to reach. Works fine and the squirrels are limited to the spilled seed and peanuts.

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Mrs. Nooseman
I only saw a Blue Heron once. That must be a great sight to see Kingfishers and Blue Herons! Isn't it such a pleasure to be able spend time with your daughter this way! I'm trying to get my daughter to garden with me. She's interested. She's old enough now to garden a bit. I'm going to give her a small piece to do her own thing with.

[MamaTexan]

A Valentine's Day, Cedar Waxwing PING!

[kassie]

Ha! Too cute.

[GodBlessUSA]

That's great!!!

[MamaTexan]

That's great!!!

Thanks! I was just surprised the little buggers were so cooperative this morning!

(Maybe they knew we were talking about them yesterday..LOL!)

[GodBlessUSA]

I promised myself I wouldn't get to crazy with pictures so I'll do this and take a break. It's always fun when you learn a new computer trick! Chickadee in my garden

[MamaTexan]

any suggestions?

You might try putting up one of those plastic mirrors they sell for pet birds at his favorite spot.

Cardinals are pretty territorial. Maybe he's just practicing his sparring techniques!

:)

[GodBlessUSA]

Last year I read a report that Cedar Waxwings were at a local bird sanctuary. I really wanted to see them, or at least one. I took the kids. It was late winter and it was still a bit icy. We walked a long stretch but had no luck. At the end of the journey I heard a strange bird call I have never heard before. The kids wanted to go home so we left. I came home and looked up, on enature, the sound of Cedar-Waxwing. Yep, I missed him. That was the bird I heard and didn't see!
That must be such a beautiful sight. Don't they have a peculiar sound?

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Hi GodBlessUSA,
yes it is nice that my daughter has an interest in it,but now that she is a preteen it is sometimes hard to keep her interest focused.
I believe how ever that she will always love nature.If I would let her she would bring every critter in the house that was injured,but since we have a cat that doesn't take kindly to other animals ,we treat them outside and hope that they make it.

[MamaTexan]

Don't they have a peculiar sound?

Yes, they do. More like a trill than a chirp or a cheep.

I always have to look to make sure its a Waxwing though. With the Mockingbirds we have, I can't be certain until I see them.

Here's an interesting bird lover's question:

Since Mockingbirds imitate other birds, do they have a call all their own?

(No, I don't know the answer....I was hoping someone could tell ME!)

[GodBlessUSA]

Your sharing of nature is a great gift. Your daughter will always have such great memories!

My husband is home sick. He saw me on this thread and laughed. Politics and garden/birds, He said, oh no. He said look around, there may be another thread with everyone trying to figure out a way to get you off of this one. LOL!

[GodBlessUSA]

The last two years we have Mockers regularly. I notice they do have a sound. It's not like a song. More of a, hmm, how do I explain. lip smacking sound? It's different

My son and I always wondered that as well. Finally the Mocker let us figure it out. I put out grape Jelly in the spring. They love it, along with the Catbirds, and bring their Juveniles.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

LOL!My husband is amazed that I am spending so much time on FR now,but it is his own fault he got me hooked and I told him, that I enjoy meeting new people,so back of.LOL.
Thank goodness we now have two computers and don't have to fight(argue)about who goes on first.
I spend my days off on FR and only get of the computer long enough to make and have dinner with the family .

FR is addicting.LOL

[Osage Orange]

I have a question regarding Purple Martin houses/condos. Has anyone found that a successful breeding colony on property significantly reduces the population of pesky mosquitos? (I tried several years ago but my efforts were thwarted by a opportunistic band of house sparrows.)

If you are asking..."Could I tell a measurable difference?" I'd have to say no...But, I'd have to guess that they did.

You might consider a bat house too....They eat a bunch of bugs. You can build your own..( I happen to have some plans...) or you can buy them "ready to hang" for around $20.00...

FRegards,

[Quester]

See the following sites for bird gardening or other gardening info ...

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/wildlife/ ... for attracting and supporting garden wildlife.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/hummingbird/ ... for attracting hummingbirds, specifically.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/ ... for other gardening/landscaping info and discussion.

[Conservababe]

Beautiful pics...keep them coming. It is 65 here today and I have my doors open wide. I have been watching a chickadee stealing strands from my mop that I have hanging from a corner of the deck.

[GodBlessUSA]

Thanks! Your so lucky, I'm jealous. I think I have at least a month or more before we see 65 degrees.
Sounds like your Chickadee may be putting a nest together. I love that time of year!

[GodBlessUSA]

My husband is happy he has a laptop. I hog the computer. If I don't read 2 hours or more of news a day I go through withdrawal. We went away and I really couldn't believe how much I missed it.

I read there was a Great Blue Heron spotted fairly close to us recently. The only time I ever saw one was when I was away visiting family. They are so beautiful.

[sweetliberty]

Very cool! I saw a tree full of Cedar Waxwings once in Georgia, outside the window of my classroom when I was in college. Beautiful and impressive.