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.

[sweetliberty]

"My small town also has a cannon that they use to make loud enough noise to make them leave."

What keeps it from scaring off the other birds?

[sweetliberty]

Oh my goodness, sounds like you have a Cardinal with "issues" on your hands. LOL! Perhaps he's lonely. Does he appear to have a mate?

[sweetliberty]

I came home from work today and I had a bluebird in my yard, maybe 2. I wasn't sure if I had seen two birds, or the same bird twice. I hope they stick around.

One kind of bird that I haven't seen here yet, and I'm a little surprised actually, is the Mockingbird. I do hope a some of them find their way here this year.

[sweetliberty]

"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."

I'm trying to picture that.

[sweetliberty]

"I have been watching a chickadee stealing strands from my mop that I have hanging from a corner of the deck."

It is certainly evident that Spring is approaching. I have to laugh at some of the unpolished courtship rituals I have been witnessing the past few mornings. Today, one of the Mourning Doves was in an amorous mood. His intended was not. It was hilarious watching him chasing her around the yard.

[sweetliberty]

"It's unbelievable what those birds go through to take care of the little ones."

Too bad there aren't more humans with as much parental instinct as God gave the birds.

[sweetliberty]

That is really pretty. How long did it take to grow that much?

[sweetliberty]

"I think they are funny the way they chase down their mates. They just run right after them."

LOL! I hadn't read your post yet when I posted this a few minutes ago.

[sweetliberty]

Your garden is lovely. It makes my yard look pitiful. Of course, this is my first year here so I really haven't done anything at all yet, and am waiting to see what is already here. I guess I'm also intimidated by the size of the yard, combined with my very limited time. Even my small yard in Colorado kept me very busy trying to keep it nice. This is from one of my scrapbook pages:

.

[sweetliberty]

I checked a book out of the library awhile back that had a lot of info about bird houses and choosing and placing them in such a way that the birds would actually use them. I didn't pay it much mind at the time because it was back in the early fall so I wasn't really thinking about bird houses. Maybe I'll go check it out again.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I think I planted the seeds in April, those pictures were taken towards the end of summer.

Becky

[Conservababe]

What keeps it from scaring off the other birds?

Oh, the cannon does scare off the other birds for a short time, but they come back. But, these grackles are in groups of hundreds and they move on somewhere else. If you ever see the sky actually blackened by these grackles and hear their noisy calls...run quickly for your pots and pans and bang them together to discourage them from choosing to roost near your home.

[Conservababe]

You had a bluebird in your yard? My word, I would love to see one around here. I have only seen one in my life.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

You both are very lucky,I have never seen a Blue bird in my live.
I really enjoy this thread it helps to relax me after a busy day.

[R. Scott]

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi SweetLiberty

I watch them and think the female Morning Dove just wants to eat a little bit of seed and then she has this Male come barreling at her. It is hysterical.

That picture you just posted is beautiful!

[GodBlessUSA]

This is for you! I use to see Mockingbirds all over the neighborhood and never in my yard. I put a real small bowl of grape Jelly and they finally came visiting. It took them a long time to come. When they finally did they always were here. They fight over the jelly. I love it when they are hanging on a nearby branch going through their songs. It's like they are doing a show for us when were on the deck.

[GodBlessUSA]

For the past few years, in spring, I would go to a local preserve for birds because they have Bluebird houses. I never saw one. I take a trip to my sister's and sure enough I see one. She has all the birds in her yard. Every time I visited her I see another lifer. I'm so jealous ;)

Support, Prayers and Thanks to our Troops!)

[sweetliberty]

"I would love to see one around here. I have only seen one in my life."

I saw a couple of them when I was in Little Rock a couple of weeks ago in a tree right in front of where I parked. I tried to take a picture, but like I said, my camera stinks for that kind of picture. I read recently that their populations are on on the rise after becoming all but extinct in many parts of the country. I was thrilled to see one/two in my yard! I don't remember ever having them before either. I'm really gonna have to go and check out that book that I was talking about again. There was a lot of good information in it.

Anyway, I found this link you might find useful. I'm thinking about getting a nesting box for them if I can figure out where to place it. Don't give up. Im sure there are some in your area.

Attracting Bluebirds

[sweetliberty]

"I have never seen a Blue bird in my live"

See my previous post to Conservababe.