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 started my seeds the end of January, so I did have some time off.
And you're right... no weeding!
Good to hear from you, Becky.
It looks like you've got an impressive collection of summer beauties there.
Of what you listed, I've grown ...GladsAll winners in my book.
Marigolds
Coleus
Impatiens
Geraniums
Petunias
Snapdragons
Begonias
Morning Glories
Roses
Redbud
Don't forget to post some pictures ... yours were beautiful last year.
I'd like to try one of the ornamental grasses at some point ... and, maybe, some lillies.
As of this second week of April ... the forsythia, daffodils, cherry trees, magnolias, and bradford pears are blooming.
The Redbuds will probably bloom this weekend ... along with my Flowering Almonds.
I put some lilacs in the ground last year ... a few of them will be blooming later on in the month ... I'm really looking forward to seeing how they do.
My redbud is done for the year. It bloomed at the start of last week.
My daffodils have not bloomed for 2 years now. I don't know why. The green part comes up and looks healthy, but no blooms.
If you have them there you should look at the Gerbera Daisys. I just discovered them last year. They really come in some beautiful colors.
I'm also exceited for the Texas bluebell to bloom. I discovered them this year at Lowe's. I don't know about your area, but our Lowe's really has a great varity and great prices.
Becky
If you have them there you should look at the Gerbera Daisys. I just discovered them last year. They really come in some beautiful colors.
I'll keep an eye out for them.
I'm also exceited for the Texas bluebell to bloom. I discovered them this year at Lowe's. I don't know about your area, but our Lowe's really has a great varity and great prices.
At least half of what I plant comes from Lowes.
Looks like I got the feeders up just in the nick of time. I saw the first hummingbird in my yard when I got home from work today! A Ruby-throated hummer.
Wonderful! Such good news :-)
Hi Becky,
I hope your camera gets fix in time for us to your blooms! Sounds absolutely beautiful. Your hard work will pay off with a beautiful sight for the eyes! My plants are only starting to come up. I'm getting very impatient!
I was thinking of planting a Redbud too. My sister is set on it and is convincing me it's a great idea. Do you highly recommend this tree?
I have the same trouble with my daffodils and wonder if I may have planted them too deep or what??:)
They are SO much fun to watch!!
Congrats!!
Wow! That's fantastic news! What a treat for the eyes!
Before selling our home and moving last summer, I had my entire backyard a bird sanctuary. It was covered in bird feeders that my hubby made for me in various shapes and sizes. The more I put out, the more birds came until I was feeding hundreds of doves, sparrows, finches of all kinds, butcher birds, etc. etc. When we moved, I worried myself sick over who would feed them now, and still find myself thinking about them!!!! Love this subject!
I am in Michigan and I have my feeders out waiting and waiting. Soon they will arrive. Can't wait.
I've been really concerned because I've found 2 dead birds on the patio just a few days apart. One was a Cardinal that I knew had been sick for a couple of days. The other was a Starling. The Cardinal is the only one I've seen that was obviously sick.
I think lack of awareness can account for feeding errors. For example, I was talking to a neighbor who had just gotten back from wintering in Texas. She was telling me she had seen a hummingbird at her feeder that morning before she'd had a chance to clean them. She said that the feeders were there when she first got the place, so the liquid in them was a year old! I was very firm about telling her that could kill the birds and that it was important to keep them clean and fresh. I have another neighbor who has lots of feeders out, too.
Meanwhile, I'm keeping a close eye on the birds. I think I'm going to use some kind of ground cover for under the platform feeder and cover it with cedar shavings or something. I really get concerned about the ground feeders.
Happy Birthday wishes.
Good gracious! No wonder we've not seen much of you lately. You have been busy. I'll bet it looks beautiful.
HUH! You're in Arkansas and you have ruby's already? I guess I don't understand the migration of those things. I'm in Georgia and we don't have them yet. Do we?
We have Hummers here all year round. The Anna's stay over the winter. :-)
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