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.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

I am sorry but I am ROFLMAO

[sweetliberty]

The woodpeckers really love the suet. I've been going through a lot of it this winter. I don't put it out in the summer. I don't want them to get too lazy to go after insects. LOL! Besides, it goes rancid pretty fast in the heat.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Don't worry, I laugh about it too, now:)

Becky

[Mrs.Nooseman]

I am glad that you can laugh about it now,but I can imaging that at the time it wasn't very funny.
BTW<it would have freaked me out too,to have a bug stuck in your ear.(chuckle)

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Just feel like posting some pictures on this snowy day. :) Good Hair Day!

BlueJay last spring > Some Roses from my garden in Novemeber. Boy do I miss flowers!

[GodBlessUSA]

Oops,
Novemeber of course = November

[Cincinatus' Wife]

If you start a ping list, please add me.

[sweetliberty]

I just love the Bluejays. They are such hams, and they DO love their peanuts.

We had a brutal freezing wind all night last night. I had a hard time sleeping for the wind howling. It's still cold (23 degrees) this morning, but at least it's sunny. It's supposed to get down in the 20's for at least 2 more nights. It should hit 50 again by Thursday. I just hate this time of year when you start getting all psyched up for spring, and the birds are flirting and the trees and daffodils are starting to bloom, then winter comes back with a vengeance. I've had a cold for the past couple of days, too. I imagine these ridiculous weather swings are the reason.

[sweetliberty]

I did start one for this topic. Be glad to.

[MamaTexan]

LOL! 'Good hair day'.

Very nice pics! Blue Jays are beautiful birds, but they can flat make you jump out of your skin when they screech....especially if you don't realize they're there.

It looks like you have quite a variety of colors in you roses. I miss the flowers too. (sigh)

We have the wild flowers that are OK to look at, but nothing like the ones we plant......those sluggards are still sleeping in their beds. :)

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks!

[GodBlessUSA]

Me too! March and the beginning of April here are still iffy. It can be frustrating when you have a great day and then ice, snow or low temperatures!

I love the BlueJays also. Last year, they came every Morning, Noon, and evening. The Hawks come to our area in winter. I miss the Jays because they visit rarely in the winter. They will be back in spring! Last year, they brought their juveniles. They are hysterical when begging their parents for food.

[GodBlessUSA]

Thanks! It won't be long for you now! :) I'm starting to get cabin fever and want to get out there, plant and see flowers! I love having Roses. At first I was afraid to plant them because of the care. I enjoy working in the garden so that doesn't matter to me. I planted so many because they bloom the majority of the season.

[MamaTexan]

OK everybody, I have a confession to make.

This pic I posted yesterday ISN'T a bunting....

It's a finch!

The only reason I know is that I JUST saw one of these;

and had to search on the net to find out what it was!

( Oh well, probably couldn't have rhymed anything with 'finch' anyway! ;)!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

That Blue Jay sure is pretty ,all I have in my yard are ordinary Scrub Jays,but I once saw a Stellar Jay and he was very pretty.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

LOL.It sometimes happens.
I have a bird book that I use when I see a bird I haven't seen before.That is how I identified the King Fishers at the neighborhood creek.

[GodBlessUSA]

Those shots are gorgeous. That Gold Finch picture is publication material, incredible!

I love those House Finches. We call them the Bickersons. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Mrs. Nooseman! I think the Scrub Jays are so lovely too!

[MamaTexan]

That Gold Finch picture is publication material, incredible!

LOL! Wish I could take credit for that one!

The bird was here for only a couple minutes, and hubby has the camera, so I swiped it off the net. ;-)

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good morning GBUSA.

They are but, oh are they noisy especially when their young have hatched.It is funny to watch them dive bomb my cat, when he goes outside.

We have one pair that nests in our yard and they taunt our cat by hopping real close and screeching at him and than quickly fly a little ways to only return to repeat the procedure.LOL