We have a very rocky soil. I don't really know what thrives best in this area and what not to attempt. I guess I will learn through a combination of research and experimentation.
Service Berry is cheap and I can't imagine it not growing anywhere. As I said it does sucker shoot.
I too love the birds. The biggest thrill I ever had was one winter day it was snowing quite heavily. I looked out my window to my finch feeder about 30 foot away and saw several finch looking birds but something was different (the white on the wing). I got my binoculars out, looked them up in my Peterson's Bird Book and low and behold there were about 5 white winged crossbills. I had no idea birds had crossbills but the bill surely got the thistle seed from the finch feeder. They were there about 1 hour. I had never seen them (or never looked so close and identified them). They returned once again weeks later and it again was snowing. This kind of watching is intense as you are looking at all birds for differences and using the binoculars on a regular basis through out the day. I found that is how you really see what you have feeding.
Two days ago I had a Flicker at my large bird feeder that hangs from the overhang about 6" from French Doors in the family room. All 4 cats sit and watch the feeder but apparently the birds know they can't get through the door. For some reason the squirrels can't get to this feeder. They have even tried to climb the screen but can't jump or reach the feeder. The grandkids love to watch the squirrels and the birds as do I.
I just noticed several people asking to be put on your ping list. If you do make a ping list please put me on it:) Great thread, thanks.
Becky