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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A Baltimore Oriole. They are so beautiful. I've seen them but not in my yard. I sure try to attract them though. One year I hung oranges everywhere, LOL. Was it your orange color feeder that they came to? Is he still around?
That's exciting. I love to watch Cardinals. The Dad Cardinal takes such good care feeding the juveniles when they are older. Enjoy watching them!
That is very Cool! Congratulations! It's great that he is not a bashful Hummer too! I hope the Hummingbird sticks around for you. Have you seen him again?
He was here on and off all day yesterday, and I've seen him already this morning. I think he's staying:)
Becky
Sounds like you are moving to a great birding location! I would love to be in a more rural setting too! I love the way you describe it because that is how I imagine it. Birds, wind, trees and corn. :)
Even though, they would be fine, it must be nice to know your birds at your house now, have your neighbors. :)
That's great news! Sure makes Spring and Summer special. Is your camera fixed? When it is, since your Hummer isn't shy, maybe you can get a picture.
That is so fun that the bird was checking your husband out!
I can't stop chatting. This time of year is awesome. I had two male Grosbeaks at the feeder. One was hanging with a male Cardinal. I guess they made friends. :) I haven't seen them since. They were passing through. I'm hearing a strange sound from a bird, I have yet to see. It's been a couple of days now and I just can't spot him. I can't wait to see who it is. :)
Something isn't working with my photos and posting. I want to post the Grosbeak. I will keep trying!
It was pretty cool. The enclosure around the patio and garden is not all that big. 24x24. My husband and I, our 2 children and thier spouses were all standing inside, the kids were all leaving. The little guy flew up and we all just stopped and stood still. The kids knew I had been waiting to see one come. So we're all standing there and when he finished at the feeder he flew up in front of my husband and hung there in the air for some seconds.
Becky
That is incredible! I pray I see one this year. Hearing about that experience is exciting! :)
Well well, we live and we learn. What a strange chain of events.
Thanks for a great story. You can never tell what you'll learn on Free Republic.
....AND a pair of Catbirds....
Cat birds are super cool. We had a pair in residence for years.When my neighbor moved we had to clear some shrubs to find the property corner and the catbirds did not return. I guess thier home of several years was cut away.
Considering the circumstances, those pics are pretty good!
I've never seen one of those before!
I can't get our camera to take a pic through a window OR a screen. Don't know if it's too smart, or I'm too dumb! LOL!
No, it wasn't the orange feeder. I had taken that one in. He was after a regular Hummingbird feeder. I don't know if he is still around. I hope so. I've been gone for a couple of days. I meant to stop and get some oranges on the way home and I forgot. I ran out a few days ago.
I was right about the Rose-breasted Grossbeak, though. This evening there was not one, but three, around the feeders! They are rather testy little birds.
And my little sentinel hummer was still at his post when I returned.
Ah, Rosebreasted Grosbeaks are pretty birds. One passed thru here on migration once but that's the extent of my experience with them. That Chickadee looks much different than what we have around here-- bigger overall and a larger black cap. They must have a great deal of contact with humans there at the preserve to be that tame.
Don't you just love when they do that? I have one that does that at the window.
Looks like you will have to keep all work activities low to the ground for awhile, or buy another ladder.
How are your birds. Any new visitors. How are your Hummingbirds?
You are tempting me to get an Oriole Feeder. I think it's great that you had an Oriole come by. I'm going to give it a shot and get a feeder tomorrow. I'll put some oranges out too. Redbelly will peck at them if no Orioles come. Is the Orange feeder still out there? I think, not sure that is for an Oriole. I'm going to read on that now. You got me into trying to attract them. :). Did you see him again today?
I'm getting a refill for Hummer Feeder ready now. I hope I have Hummer stories in the future to share with you all. I'm happy you all get to enjoy seeing them! :)
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