[sweetliberty]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't have nearly the time I would like to devote to my yard, or to researching this topic, but no matter how busy I am, I do seem to need to spend some time here, whether to catch up on the news, get a good laugh or do some venting. If there is enough interest, we could make this an ongoing thread with pictures or whatever and do a ping list.

[kenth]

This will be interesting. Especially for the wife, she loves her birds as I can attest to after having to run out in the freezing cold this morning to fill the feeder.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

ping for later...I'm interested, too!

[7.62 x 51mm]

I own and run a 20ac garden center & nursery in southeast Pennsylvania, have several thousands pairs of nesting birds on the property's trees, and feed them 150-200lbs of seed a week, during the winter months.

Here's a great resource for birdfeeding:

http://www.birdfeeding.org/

Keep us informed, s. I'm interested...

[bikepacker67]

[Hot Tabasco]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't have nearly the time I would like to devote to my yard,

I've got the time and I've also got too darn much snow. Lets talk in April...... :)

[cripplecreek]

[Dysart]

Excellent topic. Yes, it is time to plan now if not take action. I've got the feeding thing down to perfection as hundreds of birds can attest to.

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.)

Any feedback or suggestions welcome.

[LibFreeOrDie]

Links to more info:

http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/backyard_birds/gardening/garden_index.aspx
I live in New Hampshire, so what works in my garden may not be right for Arkansas.

Attracting birds to your yard is one way to control bad bugs. You can also attract good bugs (such as mason bees, small predator wasps, and ladybugs) to help out. In my neck of the woods, plants with small or composite flowers do the trick (such as herbs - thyme, dill, ... and certain wild plants (such as Queen Anne's Lace, elderberry, ...). Many of these plants also attract butterflies - a bonus!

[Zacs Mom]

On an old site I once built (but never re-published when I changed servers) I had a neat page about attracting hummingbirds to your yard. I'd be happy to reinstall it if any one is interested.

[MamaTexan]

Here in Central Texas, we have chickadees, morning doves, Mexican doves, quail, buntings, cardinals, mockingbirds, blue jays, cedar waxwings, and probably a few more that I've seen, but didn't know what I was looking at.

We even have a ruby throated hummingbird that hasn't bothered to migrate for over 2 years.

The songbirds attract raptors like red-tailed hawks, and I even saw what I think was some type of falcon a few days ago.

Cedar waxwings have been cleaning all the fruit off the mulberry and hackberry trees over the last couple of weeks....I'm glad SOMETHING eats those nasty things!

[texaslil]

You are so sweet to start this thread. I'd be interested in the future too. Although I'm a news junkie, some days it gets rather dredful. Been waiting for my local rag to have a gardening section, but doubt it will ever happen. they do devote a one-inch thick section to sports! Gardening is the most popular hobby in the US. Can't figure that one out unless it's no one can make much money off us. Live in west TX and we do have great chalenges. Summer heat sometimes 119 degrees! for as much as three weeks. Only advantage is we can garden year round--if we can get water.

Don't know why everyone hates the squirels. I love them, although one has just dicovered a hole in my patio cushions and is pulling the dacron stuffing out to make a nest. clever little critters. PS. They are edible, just don't get an old one. You can boil them all day and they're still something akin to eating a pot of rubber bands.

[Heartland Hattie]

Thought you all might enjoy this little guy. I snapped him singing away the other morning as the sun was just coming up.

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi sweetliberty
I too have a yard full of feeders and plants for the birds. It's my great escape. Just love doing it and love the results. It's about his time of year I start getting restless for the nice weather.

[EagleMamaMT]

Read later.

[Professional Engineer]

Ping the moguls

[MEG33]

I love birds..I've been out watching a flock of goldfinches feed today.

[SAMWolf]

Click the "Tufted Titmouse" for "The Sam and Snippy Store"

Thanks for the ping PE

[MEG33]

http://birding.about.com/library/weekly/bld-c022198.htm
I was looking for a bird picture to help me identify it and happened on this.

I know that my daughter has many of these natives in her yard..I have had great luck with a Youpon holly tree and a nandina hedge attracting birds.

[ken21]

does anyone like grackles?

[meowmeow]

I used to have a pair of downy and a pair of red bellied woodpeckers but I have not seen them since Hurricane Isabel a couple years ago. We lost a lot of trees in that storm. We do have a red tailed hawk who makes appearances. He's a beauty in the winter.

I just love watching the backyard birds!