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Creating A Bird Sanctuary In Your Yard
March 5, 2005 | sweetliberty

Posted on 03/05/2005 8:07:37 AM PST by 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


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Gardening; Hobbies; Outdoors; Pets/Animals; Reference
KEYWORDS: attractingbirds; backyardbirding; birdfeeders; birdgardening; birdhouses; birdlover; birdsanctuary; birdwatching; butterflygardens; gardening
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To: sweetliberty
says that the bee guards actually attract bees because of their yellow color.

That's interesting. I never knew insects could distinguish between colors.

Haven't had any trouble with bugs with the new type of feeder, but the OLD type without bee guards? Good grief!

The entire feeder section would be covered (literally) in bees, and the poor, frustrated hummers would hover around it, *trying* to find a bee-free place to put their bill!

I've seen the saucer type of feeder (from the link), but the ones I've seen don't hold very much, and I'm just too lazy to clean and fill them more than once a week!

:)

1,101 posted on 05/20/2005 5:26:39 AM PDT by MamaTexan (The foundation of a *Republic* -- Man owes obedience to his Creator...NOT his creation!)
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To: MamaTexan
They hold more than you think, and there's no dripping. Apparently the dripping is what attracts bees and ants. They are also very quick and easy to clean. I also use ant guards at the first hint of ants on a feeder. So far, between the ant guards and the new feeders, I've had no trouble with bees and ants. Another plus is that Orioles will also eat at them....AND you can use the center section to attach orange halves for them. Word of warning about using the marmalade, jelly or orange halves though...you might need to hang it out of reach/range of squirrels. I haven't had too much trouble, but I do have a squirrel that developed a taste for oranges...and I would definitely use an ant guard if the additions are made. I don't use an ant guard on the one that's hanging in the tree and so far no ants on that one, but it's early yet. Besides, in hot Texas (or Arkansas) weather, the feeders should be changed every couple of days. Imagine drinking a coke or lemonade that had been sitting in the hot sun for days. Blech!

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Click the picture

1,102 posted on 05/20/2005 5:52:47 AM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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To: MamaTexan; sweetliberty; GodBlessUSA

I've missed so many posts that this may have already been talked about, but did anyone see a David Letterman show this past week that had he man that loved Hummers on it? My husband told me about it. If you didn't see it...I think it was in one of the segments about Animal tricks.

This man loved watching hummers and wanted to get closer views of them. So he attached feeders to a football helment and would sit outside with it on. They filmed him, and my husband said he had hummers all around him:)

I wish I had seen it.

Becky


1,103 posted on 05/28/2005 5:19:17 AM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Don't be afraid to try: Remember, the ark was built by amateur's, and the Titanic by professionals.)
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To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain

Hello Becky!
I've missed some posts here lately too!

I would have loved to have seen that too!!


1,104 posted on 05/28/2005 5:28:02 AM PDT by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: GodBlessUSA

I think it was in those segments that he does called Stupid Human Tricks:), stupid or not, I'm tempted to try:) I think that would be cool. My husband said that all thru the show they would switch the camera on him, and he would be sitting there with hummers flitting all around him.

Becky


1,105 posted on 05/28/2005 5:30:46 AM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Don't be afraid to try: Remember, the ark was built by amateur's, and the Titanic by professionals.)
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To: sweetliberty; MamaTexan; PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain; Dysart
Good Morning!

My husband and I are funny. We worked outside and seem a bit slower going this morning. LOL! Finally had some nice weather! Today looks good too. So I'm trying to catch up on gardening. I'm way behind! Hubby is putting up a fence for our dog. :)

Catbird is back. Mockingbird now lets me know when the food is out. ;) The Jays yell at me too. I think the Chickadee and Titmice are nesting as they don't come as often. The HouseWren is around claiming the territory, I believe, but is not in that house. The starlings are still making me nuts! :) I hope you all are enjoying your birds!

Happy Memorial Day! Image hosted by TinyPic.com

1,106 posted on 05/28/2005 5:34:49 AM PDT by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain

Becky,
That would be so cool! Give it a try. That would be an incredible experience!


1,107 posted on 05/28/2005 5:35:55 AM PDT by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
No, I didn't see it, but I'll bet it was neat. I could see hummers doing that though. They are not timid birds really, especially for their size.

I don't know where all my hummers went. I don't see nearly as many as before. I keep the feeders fresh. I just hope they didn't get something bad from neighboring feeders. Or maybe they're like so many other birds and do occasional disappearing acts and then return. The finch population is quite low now as well, and I haven't seen the Grosbeaks for a week or two. No shortage of Grackles though. They are like giant flying cockroaches. I'm getting where I don't even want to put more food in the platform feeders than the birds can eat before I leave for work in the morning (when I can chase them off), because if I do, I come back and those filthy, thieving scavengers have savaged the feeders and made a big mess in the birdbath. And wouldn't you know, they were the first to bring juveniles to the yard. Arrrrghh!!

What have you got planned for the weekend? Anything?

1,108 posted on 05/28/2005 5:40:19 AM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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To: GodBlessUSA
"The starlings are still making me nuts!"

Sounds like me and the Grackles!

1,109 posted on 05/28/2005 5:42:26 AM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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To: sweetliberty
Aren't they the most nasty annoying birds! Grackles and Starlings, They eat everything in such a short time. Intimidate other birds from coming. I had it and bought the food in. But then I see Downy, Redbelly, Titmice looking and I have to put the food back out.

I read Starlings don't cling. I brought different feeders and yes, they figure it out, starlings can cling, hang upside down, stick their fat heads in caged feeders. Can you tell they are making me nuts! :)

1,110 posted on 05/28/2005 5:48:08 AM PDT by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: sweetliberty
Sweetliberty,

Just taking a guess, Is it possible that your Hummers may be nesting and that's why you don't see them as often? I hope that's the case. :)

LOL! Flying Cockroaches. I fear the Starlings will start with bringing juveniles too.

1,111 posted on 05/28/2005 5:51:13 AM PDT by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: GodBlessUSA
"I had it and bought the food in. But then I see Downy, Redbelly, Titmice looking and I have to put the food back out."

I know. I do the same thing. And the Jays. They are so funny. On one side of the platform feeder, I put a mixture of broken pieces of graham cracker, walnut pieces, shelled almonds, unshelled peanuts, golden raisins and Craisins. This is the favorite of the Jays and Titmice (except for the fruit...which is for the Mockers)....and unfortunately, the Grackles. I'm getting where I will only fill that side when I can watch it, but I will sometimes fill it in the evening after the birds are in for the night, just in case I don't have too much time before work. Sometimes the Grackles beat me up in the morning, and then the Jays are looking for their breakfast. I can't NOT give them some more. And when I put it out, one of them will circle and raise a big fuss to let the others know breakfast is on. LOL! And I love watching them "sort" through it to see what they want. It's not like they're picking any one thing over the others, but they will choose different things at different times. Or they will cock their heads this way and that, looking at it, as if to say, hmmmm....what shall I have first this morning?

Yes, I've considered that hummers are nesting, but they still have to eat...every 10 minutes. Of course, I know the feeders are are a supplement to their diet, so they may have sources closer to their nests. There are a couple around this morning, but they're not around all the time like they were. I hope that is the case.

I saw a funny sight in the yard this morning. A Brown Thrasher chasing a chipmunk...running. They are fast, even without using their wings.

Some of the birds were coming in very close when I was outside this morning. Unfortunately, their posing and my ability to focus the camera were no in sync at all. I did get a couple of shots of these guys though. they got impatient waiting for me to leave and said, "to heck with it. Let's eat."

.

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1,112 posted on 05/28/2005 7:16:00 AM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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To: GodBlessUSA; sweetliberty; PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
Becky- No I didn't catch letterman, but they hummingbird hat sounds like a good idea!

Well, starting to get hot here (yuk), and most the birds are still around!

STILL haven't figured out what the little black/yellow bird is, but they seem to be around only when the Goldfinches are.

Papa Woodpecker with TWO babies making regular trips to the feeder! Haven't seen Mama...maybe she took a vacation :) Got some pretty good pics of them and some other birds on the 35mm. Soon as they're developed, I'll post 'em ASAP!

Image hosted by TinyPic.com

1,113 posted on 05/28/2005 9:43:43 AM PDT by MamaTexan (God -- Bless and keep our troops ............... past, present, and future!)
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To: sweetliberty

I have a pair of barn swallows nesting under the eaves of my porch. They sit alot out on the electric line that runs across our front yard. Anyway, today I had my grandsons bubble gun out there blowing bubbles. One of the swallows was sitting on the line and was really watching the bubbles float past, even dove down after one. It was kind of neat. He sat there for along time watching.

Becky


1,114 posted on 05/28/2005 3:37:35 PM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Don't be afraid to try: Remember, the ark was built by amateur's, and the Titanic by professionals.)
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To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
How cute! Birds have so much personality.

One of my hummers this evening was at the feeder by the kitchen window and she kept looking down. I couldn't figure out what she was looking out. When I leaned over to check it out, there was a chipmunk just sitting there on the patio under the feeder.

There's a new baby bunny in the yard too. Just saw him this evening.

1,115 posted on 05/28/2005 5:52:02 PM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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To: sweetliberty
I saw a funny sight in the yard this morning. A Brown Thrasher chasing a chipmunk...running. They are fast, even without using their wings.

LOL! Now that is a very funny sight!

Broken pieces of graham cracker? I'll have to give that a try! :)

Nice shot of Downy! 2 at a time!

We finished putting our fence up yesterday. It was great this morning the Starlings and about 12 squirrels were all over everything and all I had to do was open the door and let the dog out. :)

1,116 posted on 05/29/2005 5:15:29 AM PDT by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: sweetliberty; MamaTexan; PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain; Dysart
We had a nice day yesterday. The House Wrens did take the house! Finally a bird is using a house,:). They sing such beautiful songs!

Image hosted by TinyPic.com

1,117 posted on 05/29/2005 5:31:06 AM PDT by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: GodBlessUSA
"Nice shot of Downy! 2 at a time"

I hung out a woodpecker bar yesterday eveing and I had 3 downies on it this morning....squabbling. It was funny because they usually don't squabble much. I'm thinking some of them are juveniles. There have been a lot of them around the past few days.

I feel like I spend half my weekends guarding the feeders from Grackles. They know I don't like them, too. All I have to do is open the door and let them see me and they're gone. The other birds mostly ignore me.

1,118 posted on 05/29/2005 5:46:15 AM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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To: GodBlessUSA
Awww....how neat! I don't have any houses. I guess I'm a little afraid of the responsibility for keeping them safe from nest raiders. I mean, I know it happens iin the wild anyway, but with a house that you're keeping an eye on, you'd be more likely to be aware of it. Then if something happened to the babies or the eggs, I'd feel responsible. Maybe I'll try it next year and see what happens.

Good luck with the wren family!

1,119 posted on 05/29/2005 5:50:46 AM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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To: GodBlessUSA
If you build it, they will come!

Congratulations on your new neighbors, GodBlessUSA!

:)

1,120 posted on 05/29/2005 7:36:00 AM PDT by MamaTexan (I am NOT a *legal entity* ..... nor am I a 'person' as defined and/or created by law!)
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