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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It was a great trip. Spent a few days in Colorado with my daughter and grandson. Took him with me to Kentucky for a few days and spent some time with my dad and sister and went to a family reunion. Brought him home with me. I have to take him back to Colorado in a couple of weeks.
LOL!
Way too hot to be in the yard much. We spend most of this time of year swimming. The girls keep me busy when they're not in school, though. Between trying to get them ahead on their school work and playing sibling referee, my FR time gets cut way back!
We still have cardinals, chickadees, titmice and mockers, of course. One male mockingbird in particular is VERY vocal....he's the only bird I've ever seen who doesn't even stop singing while he is in flight.:)
A house wren has taken up residence in one of my hanging plants. She has at least 2 chicks and spends her day fetching fat worms and other bugs. I always have to water that plant VERY carefully since I don't want to wet the little ones.
The black chin hummers are still here too. We should have some rufous passing through in the next month or so. August seems to be when they start their migration back to Mexico
The heat is taking it's toll in the garden, too. What the goat didn't eat is pretty sad-looking. (Except the okra, of course....the heat can't kill it, and the goat wouldn't eat it- and I can't say I blame him either....YUCK!)
One male mockingbird in particular is VERY vocal....he's the only bird I've ever seen who doesn't even stop singing while he is in flight.:) LOL!!!That's too funny. One night I woke about 2am. I thought I heard a BlueJay, no, a wren, No. LOL! Mockingbird was singing like crazy. They are a hoot!
It's humid here. Certainly not as hot as where you are. I'm jealous, to think you have such a nice growing season once you get out of the hottest months. :) Enjoy the kids! I'm enjoying the summer with them too!
How Wonderful a Family reunion. That's special you bought your Grandson home with you. Is he helping with the feeders? :) I hope you are enjoying your Grandson's visit!
How's it going with the cat?
I want rain also. The Island gets rain and it always misses us. I could be speaking with my husband from his work and he says can you believe this rain. I'm like rain, what is rain. Weird weather here. I hope it rains soon or we better get an irrigation system soon. :)
LMBO! Attacked by a goose. We have Canadian geese here and I'm scared to death of them. They run at us at this one preserve we walk at and I feel like I'm running away like I'm in a in a horror film. LOL! They sure can be nasty.
I'm spoiling the Mocking Birds to keep them here. Blueberries, Cherries, Strawberries, Grapes and craisins. They will never leave. LOL!
He's enjoying watching the birds, especially the hummers.
What a wonderful thing to share with your Grandson. What great memories you are giving him. I have yet to see a Hummer. I'm still cleaning and refilling the feeder. I'm not giving up but I'm not as hopeful. There's a HummingBird sanctuary not too far. They are only open in August. I want to see if I can get there this year. :)
What a shame that you haven't had any hummers. I have more now than ever. Of course, I'm sure many of them are young ones. Unfortunately, the cats and the neighbors' poor attention to the feeders in my absence seems to have caused many of the other birds to seek food elsewhere. They are returning gradually, but not in near the numbers as before. The upside is that the Grackles seem to have moved on as well.
Nope, they haven't returned and I guess they have relocated. Strange- I was only gone for a week. After feeding them for years and this is it? No notes. Not even any droppings. So sad. I do have an Woodpecker that I can't quite id. She has been eating the apples I put out for my erstwhile friends. The WP looks like a Red Bellied but is darker and has no red belly, nor any red marking on the back of her noggin. Possibly a Flicker but I'm not sure.
Welp, cherish your Mockers while you may and never leave town as they may well forsake you!
I may see some Hummers as they start migrating again in Sept. It is a bummer I haven't had a regular visit though. I hope the Grackles stay away for you. They are driving me nuts lately. I have to bring the food in when they come because they eat it in such a short time. You have such a variety of birds visiting, I think they will be back in short time.
No, that's not it exactly. This one is black white and has no red markings at all. Maybe it's a Juv but I'm not sure which... I've seen Juv Red Bellies(which I do have regularly here) and this one is different. Now it could be a Juv Flicker. Maybe it will hang around awhile and mature into something recognizable.
I hope so.
How exciting! I'm so glad you finally had a hummer decide to take advantage of your hospitality. "Bout time. There will surely be more.
We live in the Sierras, and outside on our deck right now are about 45 Hummingbirds trying to feed on 8 feeders hanging there. It is an amazing sight, not to mention sound!
This morning, while I was watering, I thought a Dragon Fly kept going by. I wonder if what I saw, was the Hummer. I hope he is back tomorrow. I know, You know, if you haven't seen one, when you do, it's incredible. :) Yes, bout time! :) How's your backyard? Are your birds gradually coming back?
Congrats! Four years and you finally attract a Hummer? That's amazing. Hope you can get a photo but that'll take a very good camera, I think. Maybe he was a scout and will spread the word, bringing numerous hungry Hummers to your yard. Keep us posted.
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