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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Nuthatches, titmice, chickadees and juncos goin' crazy today. I'll get pics.
The ground is still frozen solid here.
Gonna hate seeing the Pine Siskins leave my feeder soon. :-(
Pine Siskins are cool...I have to get a new digital card reader for my computer...my old computer read off the camera, but this puter can't do it with the software I have, or I would show you some pics.
We may get snow showers on Wednesday, and it will be freezing every night...for awhile, but that just gives me a longer time to get everything for my garden ready!
They're fun to watch "Jockeying" for postion at the feeders.
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OMG! That's just sad!
Thanks!
Great Nuthatch shot! This thread is going to be so much fun as more birds move into our yards and we get more skillful at capturing them with our cameras.
It's absolutely beautiful here in Georgia today. I'll be working in the yard all day and shaving my golden retriever as well. Cools him off and prevents the spring shedding.
I hope you got some heavy duty clippers for that job. That kind of hair dulls the heck out of clipper blades.
His hair is worse than most. He came from a line of show dogs. I have some good clippers.
I've been watching a couple of those this morning, and when they are busy eating, not much bothers them. I was making a heck of a racket at one point trying to run the Grackles off. I have this loud cowbell type windchime thing in my kitchen by the window. Didn't even phase him. He just kinda looked around to see what the commotion was and went right back to his meal.
Well, I'm outta here for awhile. It is just too nice a day not to take advantage of. I'm going riding. Check with y'all later.
Hey, thanks for the ping:). It is glorious here too. I just came in from a ride on one of my horses. I'm haveing lunch then will take off on another.
I've been working in my garden some too this week. I transplanted some iris, and bought 3 colors of primroses at Wal-mart. My hyacinth is getting close to blooming. It has actually multiplied to 3 this year:)
Daffodils...HMMMMMM, I would say to thin them after they have bloomed. But what do I know:)...mine haven't bloomed for 2 years now, an I have no clue why..?? They were doing good for several years, then I moved them. They come up ever year, but they don't bloom.
Becky
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