Creating A Bird Sanctuary In Your Yard

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.

We had nasty weather here yesterday too, but at least no snow.

I think the color of the lilies I got is flame. Red, and yellow.

Do you know are they perinnals. It doesn't say on the package that I can find.

Becky

261 posted on 03/16/2005 5:34:13 AM PST by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Don't be afraid to try: Remember, the ark was built by amatures, and the Titanic by professsional.)

I think the lilies are perennials. I know the ones I had in Colorado were.

The Red-headed Woodpecker made an appearance this morning. Now I have to head off to work. Have a fun day in the yard, assuming it's a decent day.

262 posted on 03/16/2005 5:37:21 AM PST by sweetliberty ("To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.")

I think in your zone they are perennial. I have them but I have to dig them up each fall. It's worth it though. I just love them! Your colors sound like a great combination!

263 posted on 03/16/2005 5:47:26 AM PST by GodBlessUSA (To all our Men and Woman in Uniform, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You!)

264 posted on 03/16/2005 5:49:12 AM PST by GodBlessUSA (To all our Men and Woman in Uniform, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You!)

SweetLiberty, I didn't read this part before.....

Of course, if global warming keeps encroaching on us, we may soon find Alaska overrun with Parrots and Flamingos, but, I digress. LOL!

265 posted on 03/16/2005 5:54:40 AM PST by GodBlessUSA (To all our Men and Woman in Uniform, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You!)

I'm trying to decide if I want to take the chance of planting my stuff today:) The forecast isn't calling for any freezing weather...but it is still just March.

Becky

266 posted on 03/16/2005 7:45:42 AM PST by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Don't be afraid to try: Remember, the ark was built by amatures, and the Titanic by professsional.)

I know. That's always so difficult to decide. I have put things out to early myself. Most of the time, I lucked out but then I've also lost plants. Curious, do you know what is your last frost day?

267 posted on 03/16/2005 7:54:32 AM PST by GodBlessUSA (To all our Men and Woman in Uniform, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You!)

268 posted on 03/16/2005 8:33:31 AM PST by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Don't be afraid to try: Remember, the ark was built by amatures, and the Titanic by professsional.)

Amusing story:

We have a small town not to far from the town I live in, called Porter. Porter is nothing but peachtree orchards. They are known as the peach captiol.

But it seems like every year Porter "loses" their "entire" peach crop due to late frost.

There is a saying around here that we are not done with cold weather till the last peach in Porter is killed:)

Becky

269 posted on 03/16/2005 8:37:31 AM PST by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Don't be afraid to try: Remember, the ark was built by amatures, and the Titanic by professsional.)

That is a neat story. I hope you get some of the peaches! :)

Did you mean the zone and what are the frost dates?

I was curious and looked up the zone for Calla Lilies and I got a couple different answers. How frustrating. I see conflicting information a lot. It can be confusing.

270 posted on 03/16/2005 5:12:14 PM PST by GodBlessUSA (To all our Men and Woman in Uniform, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You!)

These are frost dates. I've always heard Mother's day where I am. My frost date is earlier on this map than what I've always been told. It was earlier on another map I had found too. I'll have to ask around. It's so confusing when finding conflicting info.

I do chance some things depending on the type of Spring we get. I put Dahlia bulbs in early last year. I was glad I did, they bloomed much earlier than usual. Image hosted by TinyPic.com

271 posted on 03/16/2005 5:22:12 PM PST by GodBlessUSA (To all our Men and Woman in Uniform, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You!)

I went ahead and planted everything today. Now I need to cross my fingers:) I planted my morning glory seeds early last year and had blooms way before others did.

Becky

272 posted on 03/16/2005 7:36:26 PM PST by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Don't be afraid to try: Remember, the ark was built by amateur's, and the Titanic by professional.)

After I posted that map, I did a search. I saw a topic of micro climates. It made it more confusing, but it was interesting to read. Like you did, I'm planting early this year unless it's unusually cold. They say Mother's Day is last frost here, but the maps say different. The nurseries might say that, to be on the safe side.

273 posted on 03/17/2005 7:05:50 PM PST by GodBlessUSA (To all our Men and Woman in Uniform, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You!)

WEll Lowes is telling people they can plant after this weekend. I don't know why they know this:)

My husband took me to Lowes again last evening, and I bought some more plants, but it was too dark to plant when I got home.

Have you ever heard of stiletto plantation lilies? I got two of those. and some marigold, dianthus, geraniums, dusty miller, coleus, and a few other things I've never heard of.

About all I have left to get is some coleus, verbana, impatients, and periwinkels.

Becky

274 posted on 03/19/2005 5:10:54 AM PST by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain (Don't be afraid to try: Remember, the ark was built by amateur's, and the Titanic by professional.)

Good Morning Becky! You picked great plants! I don't know about those Lilies. But each time you tell me about a new plant, I look it up and will add some new plants to my garden. :) Sounds like you are on a roll. I look forward to seeing pictures of all your hard work. I bet it's looking great! :)

I can't wait, just a couple of more weeks. Our local garden centers open next week and the week after. I have to go to lowes/homedepot and take a look. I bet they already have plants available. The early bird gets the worm! ;0

275 posted on 03/19/2005 5:28:04 AM PST by GodBlessUSA (To all our Men and Woman in Uniform, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You!)

Finally got a picture of a Titmouse with a peanut, not a great one, but got it nevertheless.

This is the best one today though:

276 posted on 03/19/2005 1:13:54 PM PST by sweetliberty ("To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.")

SPRING TIPS FOR THE BACKYARD BIRDER

PROBLEM AND PUBLIC ENEMY #1: THOSE *!@*#*! SQUIRRELS! Hilarious....and some great tips!

Both of those links are from this site. It has a LOT of helpful information. Just use the drop down menu.

277 posted on 03/20/2005 7:45:23 AM PST by sweetliberty ("To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.")

If you live in Utah, squirrels are few and far between...I have more problem with mice....

278 posted on 03/20/2005 7:48:49 AM PST by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)

I woldn't think mice would climb a pole to a bird feeder though. Do they?

279 posted on 03/20/2005 7:51:02 AM PST by sweetliberty ("To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.")

Squirrels are kinda fun to watch. This pic is from today.

Man and wife house finches I think.

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