Posted on 03/05/2005 8:07:37 AM PST by sweetliberty
.
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.
.
I put out jelly, peanut butter and some banana pieces yesterday. The ants got so bad, I had to move them off the feeder to the ground. Do most of the birds consider the ants as a nice topping, or do some birds not like them?
I also put out some mealworms yesterday. I was surprised to discover that the bird that favors that delicacy (so far anyway) is the Nuthatch, although I did see one of the Red-wing Blackbirds sample one, too.
I'll slip in here to report an interesting event. My son and DIL live in Durham and have been honored by a pair of Red Shouldered Hawks who chose their yard for nesting. yard.
They live in a pretty typical residential neighborhood and the hawks apparently tolerate the neighborhood and the people who are keeping a close eye on their progress.
We have a lot of hawks and eagles in this area. I've seen a bald eagle within a mile of my home. I guess they like all the water here. We're surrounded by lakes and rivers. Some sort of predator bird made a pass through my yard a couple of weeks back. I couldn't make out what it was because I only saw it from the rear....as it flew off clutching some furry critter, probably a squirrel, in its claws.
It's good to hear I can use the Craisins. Cranberries are expensive. I'll buy them anyway though, if it's for the Mockers. :) Do you soak your raisins before you serve them?
That's a bummer. I don't know about the ants and birds. I know Flicker loves ants but that won't help with the fruit. We usually don't have ant troubles until after June. I have to figure out what to do with my Hummer feeder because that's where I usually have the trouble with ants.
Yellow Jackets in Aug are a real problem and I have to figure out a solution before then. Anyone know how to discourage yellow jackets?
That's when our cat, Peachfuzz, goes into action. We speculate that she sits atop of our neighbor's shed, which would allow a birdseye view of the feeder. She must pounce on them from above.
I don't know about Yellow Jackets. If you come up with something, let me know. We already have bees.
This Nuthatch definately has developed a taste for mealworms. When I got home from riding, he was out there in the mealworm feeder, slinging sawdust all over trying to find more. I guess I'll have to go get some more Monday. I don't think the place is open tomorrow where I got them.
Now there's a thought. Hollow out a loaf of bread, crumble up the innards and mix with peanut butter and jelly and stuff it back in the crust, then stuff the whole thing into one of those cage type, wire feeders.
Great picture!
Guess I'll get the first hummingbird feeder out this morning.
Anybody got any suggestions for something that will kill weeds without harming the birds?
only your muscles!
Roundup or some spray like that at least doesn't leave granules that look like food, and works fast and degrades fast. If you put it on during a 24 hour dry period, you can hose it in as soon as the weed withers.... sometimes within 24 hours.
I use white vinegar to kill weeds- spray it directly on the weed- works on every weed I've used it on.
Does is kill the grass?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.