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.
DID YOU PLANT THEM BEAK UP?
Good luck..even with feeders away from the house..some birds are determined to hit the glass doors...I've only had cedar waxwings and one baby owl knock itself out..There are the occasional cardinal males who will constantly "fight" their image.
The baby owl I placed quickly in a shoe box lined with a wash rag, partially draped with a rag and it was gone by morning..
I have had good luck with this...minimal handling/contact.
I buy "Cardinal seed" and have it in a separate container.
Trouble is, too many others like their seed, but mostly
the Blue Jays and Mockingbirds and they're beautiful too.
The little Finch and Wrens feed at another feeder with the smaller mixed seed. Sunflower seed is the dominate seed in the Cardinal food I buy.
I've wondered if you put a strip of masking tape on the window, if they would see it better. Like diagonal across the window??
Becky
I'm sorry about your shoulder...hope it heals fast.
Becky
Well, I intend to install a good-sized bug zapper on the patio before the mosquito infestation gets too bad.
That's what we did.
The bright yellow masking tape.
It "glows" --- lol.
OMG! That had to be awful. I've had a gnat get in my ear and drove me nuts. I can't even imagine a moth!
Long sleeved shirt and long pants with socks pulled up over the bottoms, gloves, hat...LOL!
Me too.
Please let me know if you find an effective one.
The one problem window that I have is a picture window in the bedroom. I don't really want to put tape on it, but I'm thinking about getting some stuff like stained glass and prisms to hang in it.
That one is too small. I can see the cardinal, but not clearly.
Mine's had fits over a moth, but big, shiny June bugs REALLY gives her a case of the screaming meemies!
Also, I don't even have any feeders in that part of the yard, although if I could block the view of the trailer park across the road, it would be a good area to put some. Of course, I might never get out of bed then, because I'd be able to lay in bed and watch the birds. LOL!
LOL! I worked in a warehouse and one day all the ladies came SCREAMING out of the office.....they'd seen a wood roach run under a desk!
(I went in and picked it up with my hand just to freak 'em all out)
I used to play with them when I was a kid.
I was told years ago, it may have changed since then, that bug zappers will not work on mosquitoes because they are not light attracted. I had one too for that reason, my son was very allergic to them. But it didn't help, and I started asking around about them.
Maybe they have improved them some now.
Becky
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