Creating A Bird Sanctuary In Your Yard

March 5, 2005 | sweetliberty

[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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Link to previous thread: Attention Bird Gardening Enthusiasts

[sweetliberty]

I was out on the road yesterday and it is really looking like spring. Everything is getting so green and flowers are blooming everywhere.

[GodBlessUSA]

The Grackles have thinned out here too. Thank goodness! One or two ok but the group is not invited. LOL!

I just planted my Morning Glories a couple of days ago. :) What is the name of the plant, that you posted a picture of, that you planted down your pathway? I can't remember and I want to look for them this year too.

I hope you can find a place to fix your camera. I look forward to seeing your pictures! I can't find the charger of my batteries and I keep forgetting to get batteries. We went down to the beach the other day and there were dozens of Piper Plovers on the beach. They would run up as the water came in. I got such a kick out of them! If I only had my camera! If I get a picture, I will post it. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

It bothers me to see a bird feeding a brown-headed cowbird juvenile. Last year, there was a Mama Cardinal here doing that.

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi SweetLiberty
I wanted to thank you too for the April list!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

The shrub down my sidewalk is nandina. I have put white periwinkles between them now.

Becky

[GodBlessUSA]

Thanks for your quick response! I'm going out today and will keep an eye out for them. Sounds so pretty with the White periwinkles!

[Zacs Mom]

If you can find it, "Fuschia magellanica" (Hardy Fuschia) is a great variety!!



It is a sweet, danity fuschia that blooms throught the summer & fall right up until the first frost and will return the following spring! It is hardy Zones 6 to 9. The hummers love it!

If you can't find it locally the pic above links to a nursary where you can order it.

Weigela is another beautiful plant that the hummers love. I had them in Oregon and Washington, and am planting my first Weigela shrub in my Texas yard this year.

[HairOfTheDog]

Thank you! Washington State, on Puget Sound :~D

[Zacs Mom]

I thought I recognized that setting!! (and that misty weather) I lived in the Seattle area for seven years!

[HairOfTheDog]

We are further south, south of Tacoma :~D

[Dysart]

Hi I'd like to see your shot of the Grackle!

Actually, I don't have a pic of a Grackle--was just joking. I do have lots of nice photos of other birds though, including a baby Mocker from last year that had flown the coop a bit early. I don't know how to post pictures. I realize it's not that hard but I've not taken the time to learn. It's on my short list of things to do when I find time. When I do figure it out, ppl will be pleading with me to stop posting so many photos!

[Dysart]

Thanks to GodBlessUSA for the tutoring.

[Dysart]

Here is the mother bird gathering pieces of apple to feed the baby.

[GodBlessUSA]

Mockingbirds are among my favorite! Oh how sweet that little guy is! That's great! :)

[GodBlessUSA]

I had Mockingbirds last spring and nest nearby. It was great watching Mom feed the young ones. What was really funny is watching her try to send them away from her territory at the end. LOL! They would fight for the free fruit territory. It was hysterical! I hope they come back this year.

[Dysart]

Yeah, the pair I've had for several yrs chases their offspring away ruthlessly too. I've had the same pair now for four yrs.(the female is pictured above) They know my vehicle and when they see me pull into the driveway, the fly over to the crape myrtle tree and await the peanut butter treat I spread on a branch. This has been going on for 3 yrs now. I know that's all hard to swallow but it's true.

[GodBlessUSA]

How wonderful to have the same pair back! Oh good! That means maybe they will be back here too, Fingers crossed. They are characters aren't they. Isn't it amazing how some birds get so use to you. I find it incredible you got that shot of the Juvenile. Where was he?

I have Catbirds and Robins who come for Jelly, fruit and Raisins too. I believe the same pair of Robins are here again. They had a nest in my arbor and it looks like they are staking claim to it again.

What fruit do you find Mockers like the most? I put Blue Berries, Cherries, grapes and raisins out. Did I leave any of their favorites out?

I planted Blueberry bushes last year and other berrying plants. I hope they produce some fruit this year. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Excellent Picture of your Hummingbird, Becky!
I just got my Hummer Feeder up today just in case there are any passing through. I have to check the map to see where they are now.

I didn't see any Nandina today. It's early yet here so not much was out. I'm going to put them in a new garden bed.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

It bothers me, too. I'm tempted to shoot them.

[Dysart]

The baby Mockingbird was in my backyard and you might add apples and cranberries to their diet. They actually prefer cranberries to raisins.(7 out 10 mockers surveyed)