.
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.
Thanks for the picture. I was hoping you had one. Interesting rig.
Hehe... The Mockingbirds have such attitude. We had loads of them when I was growing up. Funny birds. Of course, I find all of them funny in their own ways. Thanks for the pic.
It's simple and it works.
We have lots of bluebirds here. They seem to be an extremely shy bird. I see them most often when I'm riding a horse in our arena.
Becky
We have lived in this house for about 25 years. I just started looking at the birds around here about 3-4 years ago. I just never paid that much attention. I have been very surprised at the variety we have here. It makes watching for them alot of fun with so many to see.
Becky
Thanks,I hadn't gone that far down yet.
I know what you mean about the Goldfinch. They're so brightly colored in the summer, I wondered how I missed them. Cheeky little birds.
I've noticed the titmice, chickadees, and nuthatches, come to the feeders get a seed then take off to eat it. The goldfinch land on the feeders and just stay:)
It's also cool how much they change color with the seasons.
Becky
birding ping for later
Does anyone know, do flowers attact tarantulas? We have them out here and occasionally I had one by the house. But I have noticed the last two years since I put in the flower garden I find them there alot.
In the pictures I have posted of my garden, where the flowers are now that use to all be cement patio. The outer edges were cracking up and startng to look bad so 2 years ago my husband cut out 3/4 of it and put up the fence so I could put in the garden.
It's a bit unnerving to find those big fuzzy things:) Especially at night.
Becky
Constantly! Sometimes I think they're going to set up housekeeping on those feeders.
Yeah, that would creep me out too.
My husband enjoyed watching the hummers last summer.
I can't ever tell if they are playing or fighting the way they dive bomb each other. But he liked watching them do that.
Becky
Tarantulas, at least the ones around here so I've been told, are harmless, they're just so darn ugly, and big, and fuzzy:) I don't know if it's the flowers that attract them to the garden or just the fact that the flowers provide more cover then the bare patio. Maybe they didn't use to come up here because of the big open space.
I ride alot out in the woods here, and am always worried one will fall out of a tree. Or any bug for that matter. I can deal with snakes and mice better then bugs. Bugs scare me:) I've had stick bugs fall out of trees. So far they have never landed on me, just the horse...but that's bad enough. Stick bugs and praying mantis's are other bugs I think are down right ugly and gross:)
Becky
.
Yuk:)
I've got a picture alot like that. I have one of a tarantula too from last year in my garden, but I can't get my husbands computer to hook up. I was going to post that picture. I'm on our web TV now.
Becky
I've learned to ignore them:). When I go out at night to sit in the garden, I look around to make sure I at least know where they are:). I especially don't like it when they are over me, when they have crawled up under the eaves. But last year we go one of those covered swings to set on the patio, so I don't worry "as much:)" about them falling on me. If that happened I'd proably never be able to go out there again. I'd have to dismantle the garden:)
This kind of sounds like we have "alot". we don't really, just more then I use to see. Maybe 3-4 a summer now.
Becky
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.