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 have heard that people have tamed chickadees. Anyone?
I've had my feeders out for several weeks yet, but havne't had any visitors yet. I finally looked up when they hit this area, and it should be about now.
Becky
" I have heard that people have tamed chickadees. Anyone?"
I have found Chickadees very bold with me but I wouldn't say "tame". Now I have fed a Titmouse from my hand but this was long ago and isolated.
Oh, they are! This was a tiny little thing, even for a hummer.
Wow! Looks like a piece of heaven on earth! Wish I was there! I'm still waiting on a few tulips, and just look at that! :) It must be great to have a twin to complain to about turning 40, LOL!
Thanks for posting your pictures! That bird picture above is incredible. I can't imagine the work put into that.
Aren't they just the most comical characters?
I know! Anytime I think about moving, the first thing that pops in my mind is "what about the birds?"
Yep! Real live Woody Woodpeckers. ;9)
LOL! What a neat picture.
I got the first feeder up Sunday, and two more on Tuesday. Saw the first hummer today. My neighbor saw one Sunday.
Beautiful.
We are fortunate to have a Bird sanctuary nearby that we can feed Chickadees, Titmice by hand and even a Nuthatch once. My daughter feeds the Chipmunks.
I came home after a visit there excited, pulled down the feeder and tried with my Chickadee visitors. Although, they always let me get close, one scolded me for trying to feed him/her by hand. LOL. I'm not kidding :) Chickadees/Titmice here, will sometimes land on the deck or a chair near where I'm sitting. Just checking us out. If I put peanuts on the railing, they have no trouble coming down and grabbing one even if I'm sitting right there. I wish they would take from my hand. I'll have to work on that.
I love the Titmice. They are so entertaining. And their eyes remind me of the bird version of a Great White. LOL!
LOL!
Well, I'm anxious for them to arrive. I like sitting in the garden and watching them with my morning coffee:)
Becky
I’ve only actually seen one group of hummingbirds in my life. They are so small I thought they were large bugs until my late wife had me look close.
There are a lot of Robins here now – and they seem to be the Crowing Roosters for the rest of the birds. Their “concert” starts about an hour before sunrise and can reach a very loud level. Fortunately I’m an early riser.
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