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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I had a set of Andis that I bought extra blades for. Can't remember the model number but I paid approx $100 for them. They did not last any longer than the cheap ones that last only about 4-5 cuttings at most. I doubt my cat has the fur of your dog but this cats fur (the undercoat) is very thick. I brush him all the time and I still find matting around his neck and front legs. I like him so much better shaved. The first time is the worst and he generally looks like it was the first time. Where does one get the blades sharpened?
I will google them and take a look again. Thanks
I have a little shop that specializes in these things but I live in a big city and this is the only one I know of. I also have an unreliable friend who knows how to sharpen them but I never know when I'll get them back. If he can sharpen the things you and I should be able to. BTW, my shears are at least five years old and work perfectly.
I am going to try them again. Have you any experience with the blade that leaves the hair 5/8" long? When the blade leaves the length how does it do that? Is there some attachment on the end or what? Are your AG's for horses? What blade do you use? My spouse wants to leave the hair longer. I actually like it very short except for the mane boots and tail end. But I might want to try the 5/8" blade. Wonder how it would cut when it grows out some. How long does it take you to clip your dog and how often do you oil the blade? I have no one to gage this from and hope you can help me. Thanks
I have no idea what size blade I use. I know that I have two and one doesn't work for my dog. You need to find a vet or a a dog groomer and consult. I don't know anything about horses. I cut my dog's hair almost bald. It takes me about 30-40 minutes to clip and I oil the blade constantly. I use a small dish and dip it often. Watch out for the blade getting hot. I will stop for a while sometimes and let it cool. I clean up with a broom and a couple of those small grocery store plastic bags. I have a LOT of hair.
Very helpful hints--thanks. Now back to the birds.
Someone once told me I should drape all that dog hair over my tomatoes, that it would keep the squirrels off. Didn't work. It just made my tomatoes look like they had yellow spanish moss all over them.
1. I am hearing a new bird noise. It sounds like a squeakiy swing or rocking chair. Duel notes...first one higher pitched/stronger emphasis; second one lower pitch/emphasis. What makes that kind of sound?
2. What is the difference between a Pileated Woodpecker and a Cockaded Woodpecker? I gotta run. Don't have time to google it.
Y'all have a good day.
1) Sounds like the call my Blue Jays make when they discover peanuts on the platform feeder. Starlings can produce this sound though(and nearly any other).
2)?
The red-cockaded woodpecker is a cardinal-sized, black and white woodpecker with a black cap on its head. They are distinguished by two small red streaks on each side of the black cap — a cockade — which are occasionally visible only on adult males. They live in old growth pine forests in the Southeastern United States.
Link and pic:
http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/redcockadedwoodpecker/
Pileated Woodpecker (This is the one Woody Woodpecker is based on, I believe)
Description 17" (43 cm). A crow-sized woodpecker. Black with white neck stripes, conspicuous white wing linings, and prominent red crest. Male has red "mustache," female has black.
Habitat Mature forests and borders.
Nesting 4 white eggs in a tree cavity.
Range Resident from British Columbia east across southern Canada to Nova Scotia, south to northern California, southern Idaho, eastern North Dakota, central Texas, and Florida.
Voice A loud, flicker-like cuk-cuk-cuk-cuk-cuk, rising and then falling in pitch and volume.
Discussion With the probable extinction of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis), this is now the largest woodpecker in North America. Despite its size, this elegant woodpecker is often shy and hard to observe. Obtaining a close view of one usually requires careful stalking. Although primarily a forest bird, the "Logcock" has recently become adapted to civilization and has become relatively numerous even on the outskirts of large cities, where its presence is most easily detected by its loud, ringing call and by its large, characteristically rectangular excavations in trees. Its staple food consists of carpenter ants living in fallen timber, dead roots, and stumps. The woodpecker excavates fist-sized rectangular cavities, then uses its enormously long, sticky tongue to reach the ant burrows.
Pic and link:
http://www.enature.com/fieldguide/showSpeciesSH.asp?curGroupID=1&shapeID=963&curPageNum=3&recnum=BD0428
Didn't sound like a Grackle. I'm familiar with that racket. Didn't sound like a Bluejay either. They make a noise to announce themselves looking for peanuts. No, this was a very distinctive sound.
Thanks. This one Woodpecker I have (Pileated Woodpecker) is as big as a chicken, bigger than a large crow.
Pileated woodpeckers according to my book get 17 inches long. They are very big birds.
I just got back from Lowes,where I stopped to "just" look at what they had out in the garden dept.
I came home with 3 hostas, 2 types of ornamental grass, 2 6pks of monkey grass, glad and calla lilly bulbs, and something called everygreen candytuft.
Now I just need to hold myself off going out and planting them....we may have a light freeze night. Raining now.
Becky
The Grackles sometimes sound like a rusty swing set. I kind of figured you would have known if it were a Grackle but just gave it a shot. I wonder who your mystery bird is.
Oh, your making me so jealous! :) I want to buy plants and plant them. It's freezing today. They said it would be in the forties and it hasn't at all.
I went to BJ's today and they had bare root roses already. It's way, too early here. I wonder what will become of them. Just the same, boy was I tempted. :)
It is snowing here! And after our beautiful 83 degree Saturday! I HATE winter!
Yeah, well read my previous post. Grrrrrr!
By the way, Don't ya know, you can't just stop and look this time of year :). I love Calla Lilies. What color/colors did you get?
I didn't see the Pileated Woodpecker this morning. After two mornings in a row, I kinda expected to. Oh well, haven't seen the Red-headed Woodpecker for a few days either. I usually don't see him during the week because he tends to be around mid-morning when I am working. The Mockingbird is making one or two appearances every day though. He likes golden raisins.
At one point this evening, I counted 9 male Cardinals at once around the feeder and the immediate area.
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