Creating A Bird Sanctuary In Your Yard

March 5, 2005 | sweetliberty

[sweetliberty]

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As it turned out, the previous thread on this topic generated a lot of interest and several people recommended doing it as a regular thread, so here is the second installment.

How you go about creating a bird sanctuary in your yard, or outdoor space, will depend on a number of givens, some which can modified, and others over which you have no control. One of these is geographical location or climate zone. If you live in the Colorado Rockies, you are not going to attract Cardinals, no matter how many black oil sunflower seeds you put out, and if you're on a beach in Florida, it's a pretty safe bet that there will be no snow buntings visiting your yard, the cornucopia of insects notwithstanding. Of course, if global warming keeps encroaching on us, we may soon find Alaska overrun with Parrots and Flamingos, but, I digress.

Within any given area, there are a variety of habitats, so no matter what your specific location, it is possible to vastly increase the types and numbers of birds in your immediate environment by modifying your habitat to make it more bird friendly to a wider array of birds native to your region.

Another "given" is your available space. If you live in a cottage in the woods by a stream, you will obviously have a lot more options available to you than if you live in an urban apartment with nothing more than a small porch or balcony. Of course, I think the majority of us live somewhere between those extremes. The point is, even if you have nothing more than a porch, you can still make it bird friendly, thereby increasing your enjoyment of these highly entertaining creatures. If you don't even have so much as a porch, I would suggest moving!

The purpose of this thread is to share ideas for maximizing our outdoor spaces to make them appealing to birds and butterflies, to share our experiences and knowledge or expertise, photos and resources. The discussion is pretty free-flowing and may expand to include gardening, landscaping and related topics. The direction the thread takes will really be up to the FReepers who post on it. We can focus on a different topic every week or two, or just keep it open and casual, updating the thread periodically. The main thing is that we learn and have fun.

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Link to previous thread: Attention Bird Gardening Enthusiasts

[Dysart]

Here's a pic from yesterday showing her wound if you look closely. What do you make of it? Perhaps breeding injury from a male? Or maybe unsuccessful predatory attempt from Hawk/bird?

[MamaTexan]

It's amazing how many colors can be in one bird. I've seen marsh birds before. They ALL have those super-sized feet,but I've not seen one before that is as short as the purple gallinule.

The again, if it's a leaf-walker, the long legged shape of a wader bird like a Heron wouldn't work very well!

That's one of the things that is so fascinating about birds (and animals in general). They're SO perfectly suited for their little niches in the world! :)

[MamaTexan]

I would have thought this was too late for them to be laying eggs??? Anyone know?

You're not that far from me (Central Texas) so no, I wouldn't think it's too late.

We've had hatchlings in August that would all hang out in the nest on our porch with their *very* big mouths hanging open to try and cool off.

You're right...watching the babies is a blast!

[MamaTexan]

Goldfinches migrate through the area here. I'll see a few, they'll leave, then more show up.

I'd never seen them before. Now, they've become one of my favorite birds!

[Dysart]

I was surprised at the brilliant yellow hue this bird had. Very striking. Back in day in Arkansas, I'd see them only in Winter and their color was quite dull.

[Ditter]

We never saw a Goldfinch in Houston until about 5 or 6 years ago. We noticed these small greenish gray birds eating at our black oil feeder and finally identified them. We have had sock feeders ever since and some years had more than 50 birds in our yard at a time. By the time they leave a couple of them will have all their yellow feathers.

[sweetliberty]

I don't know about the nesting habits of Barn Swallows. I've never had them before. There were some around when I was growing up, but that was a long time ago. LOL!

[sweetliberty]

I never had them till I started putting up thistle seed feeders. I'ver read where others have said the same thing. They eat a lot of other things, but the thistle seed attracts them. That's their favorite.

[sweetliberty]

I really can't see it. Hard to tell what they do when they venture out of view. Do you have red squirrels? I've heard they attack birds. Your guess is probably as good as any. I hate seeing them injured or sick.

[sweetliberty]

In warmer climates, some birds have at least two broods in a season. Some may have more. Not sure about that.

[sweetliberty]

"some years had more than 50 birds in our yard at a time."

That's the way my yard was a couple of weeks ago. They seem to have thinned out some now, but I've had them summer and winter since I've started using the thistle feeders.

[Ditter]

I meant we had over 50 Goldfinches at one time, not even counting the other birds. The Goldfinches didn't show themselves like that in my yard this year. I never saw more than 8 or 10 at a time and then for only a few weeks and then they were gone. I saw a Rose Breasted Grosbeak today, that was a treat!

[sweetliberty]

" meant we had over 50 Goldfinches at one time, not even counting the other birds."

That's what I meant, too. There was a morning a couple of weeks ago that I lost count around 40. The Goldfinches seem to come and go. There are always some around, but at other times they are really thick and are in a constant feeding frenzy. I guess some migrate and some hang around. There for a couple of weeks, I was having to fill both finch feeders a couple of times a day, and they were feeding at all the other feeders as well.

[sweetliberty]

Well, I did go on one of the birdwatching trips. Took a lake cruise this morning and man was it chilly! I wore shorts and a tank top. I was sure glad I took my jacket. Saw quite a few birds, unfortunately, most of them were not in the mood to be photographed. We had a couple of folks from the Audobon Society along to help with identification. There were lots of Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows. We saw quite a few Turkey Vultures, an Eastern Kingbird, a couple of Green Herons, a couple of Great Blue Herons, a Kingfisher, some brown bird with long tail feathers that was too quick to identify and a couple of Red-tail Hawks. At the marina, they had a colony of Purple Martins. and, of course, there were a few Canada Geese around and a couple of Mallard ducks. I've really got to get a better camera. This one doesn't do well for anything at a distance. In the last picture, there is a Great Blue Heron standing on the shore. You can see his outline, but that's about it.

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Anybody wanting on or off the bird ping list, please let me know.

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Sweetliberty!
Lovely shots, Looks like you had a beautiful day to go! You saw many birds also. It's difficult getting bird photos. Especially, with a group. It's not like you could wait them out. Once I went birding with some people and I saw a Redheaded Woodpecker. I came home to pictures of tree tops. LOL! At least the birds in the backyard will pose once in a while or don't want to stop eating. :)

I have a list of birds to see. Even though it is a very long list.:) I have some that are higher on that list. Kingfisher is one. What a beautiful interesting bird. I'm glad you got to enjoy! :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Wow! Spectacular shot! :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Becky
I'm not certain but I believe it's not too late for them to nest. I sure hope you have an opportunity to enjoy seeing them again! Of course, love to see more pictures :)

How are your Hummers doing? I just made another batch of sugar water with hopes of still seeing one. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Dysart,
I hope this bird recovers. It's sad seeing them injured. I have a lot of Morning Doves, I have never seen a White Winged Dove. Looks pretty on them.

I put out thistle a few years back and was thrilled to have those GoldFinches visit. Besides being so beautiful I love to hear them chatting with each other and singing. They have such beautiful sounds. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Mama Texan!
I just planted more Hummer plants for no Hummer visitors. LOL!

I hope you get your film. I would love to see some more of your pictures!

[sweetliberty]

"At least the birds in the backyard will pose once in a while or don't want to stop eating."

Yes; I was thinking at the time, "at least my birds are more sociable." And there was a kid on the boat that I was tempted to toss overboard. I'm all for teaching children about the birds, but in a group such as this, they can also be very disruptive...not to mention, annoying! The other 2 children on the boat were fine.

There were a couple of ladies on the boat who have Indigo Buntings also (I had to ask).

I did get this one while waiting for the boat. Funny-looking bird, isn't it? LOL!

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