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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Good morning, and Happy New Year! I have got LOTS of bird activity in my yard this past week. I got one of them 18 port finch feeders. I have to add food twice a day! I have huge numbers of Cardinals, Titmice and Chickadees, too. They are such fun to watch. Their behavior in winter is so different than in the warmer seasons when their main concern is mating and nesting and providing for their young. Now it is food and water, and I am pleased with my chubby bird population.
That is too cute! I have one out of about 6+ squirrels, who will come to the window from time to time. I assume it's the same one. It's such a hoot to see his/her little face looking in. LOL
I took my son and daughter to a sanctuary over this vacation. The birds eat right out of our hands. It was so cool. We had Nuthatch, Chickadees, Titmice land on our hands for seed. Even Downy was eating a foot away. I wish I could get them to do that in my yard. I want to move near that sanctuary. LOL
Chickadee on takeoff. :)
The sanctuary sounds wonderful. It is such fun to be somewhere where the birds are nearly tame, and can be safe.
Have you considered putting in some kind of protective covering over a portion of your yard to provide the smaller birds with safe escape and to make it a little less appealing to the hawks?
Pretty little fellow.
Happy New Year, Budge! How are you? How are the kitties?
I have planted a lot of evergreens and other plants for them to hide in but the Hawks are clever. I look out and see them actually hovering over a plant waiting. I put my Christmas tree out there yesterday too. It's a bummer. I feel like I created a buffet. Any other suggestions are so welcome.
I’d like to have some around here – but they seem to be a bit rare. I did see one several years ago, and thought it was a fat dragonfly until my wife made me look closer.
http://www.birds-n-garden.com/how_to_attract_wild_birds.html
Found this as I was googling and thought it gave a nice overview about birds and creating habitat,etc.
Enjoyed your hummingbird story.
I was thinking of something like a lattice overhang. Not only would it create a hiding place for the birds, but you could plant things that climb across it, use it for a nice, shady sitting area and hang bird feeders, or even hanging plants, from it.
Thanks sweetliberty. That is a good idea. A garden structure in the garden would look nice also. I have feeders for the smaller birds, by my deck with plants. They fly under the deck through the lattice. I have to look into a structure of some kind for the ground feeders to hide in. Hawks are incredible birds but I don't want to supply them with dinner.
I know what you mean. I'd much rather they be out ridding the area of rodents.
It was neat. I didn't get to see him though. My son went out with our Dog one night and saw an owl. I'm happy because we were having trouble with voles, type of field mice, and I have noticed that population has really gone down. :) I'd love to see an owl. I keep checking now. LOL
Thanks for the ping.
I used to see owls a lot when I lived in Colorado, mostly when I was driving at night. It is really strange to see these big swooping birds flying at night. It kinda startles you. I've seen them once or twice here, if I remember correctly. I've also seen a couple of Golden Eagles. Very uncommon sight. Bald eagles are a bit more common here and there are annual eagle watch tours out on one of the lakes, in January I believe it is.
What a neat story, sweetliberty! I'd love to see a broad-bill hummer!
We still have our ruby throat and assorted cardinals, titmice, chickadees and doves.
Since I put out a specific feeder, we also have an amazing amount of goldfinches! I was worried because the only place I could hang it was less than 10 feet from the house, but it doesn't seem to bother the little guys one bit. :)
It's been like early summer here in Central Texas. Pretty bad when everyone is running around in shorts on New Years Day. LOL!
GodBlessUSA, the lattice sweetliberty suggested just might do the trick. With an artificial canopy over the feeders, a hawk might catch a bird that strays from cover, but it will keep them from being able to strike or track any prey while it's trying to feed!
I could deal with that. It has been really windy here the past couple of days. Not terribly cold, but not quite shorts weather either. We did have a couple of really nice days in the 70s last week.
I'm still kicking, and the kids are doing fine though they miss you.
Happy New Year! I wish I had your short weather, Mama Texan. And Hummers in January! :) It won't be long. I cannot believe it's January already. Time sure flies.
I've never have seen an owl....yet.:) My son was really startled when he flew by. He also had a chance to see him on a branch. I really would love to see an owl. I keep checking at night now. Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle too, would be a wonderful sight! :)
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