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Creating A Bird Sanctuary In Your Yard
March 5, 2005 | sweetliberty

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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Link to previous thread:
Attention Bird Gardening Enthusiasts


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Gardening; Hobbies; Outdoors; Pets/Animals; Reference
KEYWORDS: attractingbirds; backyardbirding; birdfeeders; birdgardening; birdhouses; birdlover; birdsanctuary; birdwatching; butterflygardens; gardening
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To: BykrBayb
Yeah, I have seen similar things near my home too. I wish they(all suburban birds) were wiser in choosing nesting sites.

They just have not adapted well to the threat of predatory cats. I think one reason some species have chosen to settle in suburban settings is that it does offer protection from most predators and this clearly advantageous to them-- with the exceptions of cats and cars. I see birds almost daily that have had very disastrous rendezvous with automobiles.
721 posted on 04/27/2005 7:36:49 PM PDT by Dysart
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To: BykrBayb
"We have to put cones around them to keep from running the eggs over. Even when you walk right up on them, you can't see them."

Not particularly bright birds, it seems.

722 posted on 04/27/2005 7:59:41 PM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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To: sweetliberty
In some ways, they're real stupid. But on the other hand, their eggs are very well camouflaged from predators. And if you approach the nest or the babies, the adults put on an elaborate act of being injured, and lead you away from the nest. They drag a wing, repeatedly fall down, and make a pitiful sound like they're in pain. They let you almost catch up to them, then they fly away.


Listen to a killdeer.

723 posted on 04/27/2005 8:30:39 PM PDT by BykrBayb (Impeach Judge Greer - In memory of Terri Schindler <strike>Schiavo</strike> - www.terrisfight.org)
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To: BykrBayb

Yep, that's definitely what it was. Thanks for all the info.


724 posted on 04/27/2005 8:35:03 PM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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To: sweetliberty

You're welcome. You just happened to mention the one bird I know something about.


725 posted on 04/27/2005 8:36:06 PM PDT by BykrBayb (Impeach Judge Greer - In memory of Terri Schindler <strike>Schiavo</strike> - www.terrisfight.org)
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To: BykrBayb
"You just happened to mention the one bird I know something about."

Funny how that worls. I know I've learned a lot from all the birdwatchers. Actually, I think we're learning a lot from each other.

726 posted on 04/27/2005 9:00:34 PM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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To: sweetliberty
Every day I put out a little seed on my patio, next to a planter. For the past year, I've had one sparrow come down faithfully, usually by itself. It used to come down and beg when I was sitting out on my patio, that's why I first started to lay out seed. Recently I've had two mourning doves come down together. When they arrive, the seed gets gobbled up fast.

On a few occasions, I've had a redbird come down, usually around dusk. They don't come down in the daytime, they wait till dusk.

I only put out a small amount of seed because I want to limit the bird activity, not wanting to draw the ire of the anti-bird busybodies in my townhouse community.

727 posted on 04/27/2005 9:06:15 PM PDT by Ciexyz (Let us always remember, the Lord is in control.)
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To: Dysart
I see birds almost daily that have had very disastrous rendezvous with automobiles.

Robins tend to fly low over the road, and they have the bad habit of flying directly in front of approaching cars as they fly from one side of the road to the opposite side. I haven't noticed any other birds that consistently do this. I've almost hit a number of robins this year. And when I did hit one several years ago, I felt very badly about it, because they're beautiful, big birds. Maybe if they were just a bit smaller, they'd miss that fender.

728 posted on 04/27/2005 9:15:10 PM PDT by Ciexyz (Let us always remember, the Lord is in control.)
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To: Ciexyz
"not wanting to draw the ire of the anti-bird busybodies in my townhouse community."

Can't imagine anybody being anti-bird, except about Grackles and Starlings and such, or the great big birds that might spirit off their little mop and fluff doglets. The majority of birds are the most delightful and welcome of visitors.

729 posted on 04/27/2005 9:17:33 PM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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To: Ciexyz

Good observation about Robins; they are the worst offenders of flying into fenders.


730 posted on 04/27/2005 9:18:42 PM PDT by Dysart
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To: sweetliberty
Can't imagine anybody being anti-bird

We had one particular busybody in our townhouse area that complained to the townhouse governing committee about people feeding birds, and they sent out letters threatening to take people to court for infractions. Now the busybody has moved away, and all the intractable bird-feeding criminals have quietly taken up their habits again. One family above me on the hill even has a birdbath and a hanging birdhouse on their tree, which attracts a variety of visitors and is delightful to watch.

I still prefer to keep my birdfeeding low key. My one neighbor is a townhouse official and she knows all about it, she even asks me how the birds are, so she's okay with it.

731 posted on 04/27/2005 9:27:03 PM PDT by Ciexyz (Let us always remember, the Lord is in control.)
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To: Dysart
...Robins...are the worst offenders of flying into fenders.

Why is that, do you think? "Bird-brain" intelligence?! They don't look before crossing the road? Something wrong with their side vision?

732 posted on 04/27/2005 9:32:26 PM PDT by Ciexyz (Let us always remember, the Lord is in control.)
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To: BykrBayb
Morning, BykrBayb!

Welcome to the thread! :)

A woman stepped forward, and insisted they had permission, and it was all planned out in advance. When he asked her who gave them permission, she named the @itch that lives two doors down from us.

Maybe next time have their cars towed to the house down the street?

LOL!

Anyway, I can relate to an extent. The lake isn't across from us, but we take the short trip down the road quite regularly.

It always amazes me that people toss crap on the ground like it just NEVER occurs to them it will eventually wind up in the water!

Even our daughters learned at a young age to NEVER trash up the campsite, and "garbage control" before we pack up to leave almost always has us taking out more garbage than we possibly could have brought in!

And no, I think you'd pretty safe betting FReepers would ask permission before setting foot on someones property...we're just kinda funny that way!

:-)

733 posted on 04/28/2005 4:19:31 AM PDT by MamaTexan (I'd rather stand with the few who are right than the many who are wrong)
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To: sweetliberty
I don't know of anything else that color.

Hmm. The only birds around here that color are barn swallows and the Purple Martins. If you find out what they are, let us know!

They were running instead of flying, although they could fly.

That sounds a lot like a shore bird around here. I've always called them terns, but that's probably not their proper name. We see those often at the lake, and occasionally at the house. They make a sound like a non-stop peep, for lack of a better description.

Well, there are now 2 ruby-throated hummers here, and yesterday, I finally saw a female! Probably a ruby throat, but I'm lousy at identifying females because they all look so similar.

I did have an interesting experience the other day. I was driving into town, and saw what I though was a buzzard in the middle of the road. Now, I'm always very careful when approaching an animal in the road, particularly buzzards since they
1. wait till the last minute to take off
2. It takes a lot of room for a bird with a 6 to 8 ft wingspan to take off, and
3. a friend hit one and had to have his car totaled because they couldn't get the stench out.

Well, It WASN'T a buzzard, it was a very BIG tom Turkey....and the bugger wouldn't move. I got right up to him and came to a complete stop. Then, he raised up and looked OVER the hood of my car at me. I do have a fairly small car, but I mean his head had to be at least 4 feet off the ground!

He gave me a "Humpf" look, and slowly sauntered off the side of the road, like I had just really interrupted his day!

ROFL!

734 posted on 04/28/2005 4:50:41 AM PDT by MamaTexan (I'd rather stand with the few who are right than the many who are wrong)
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To: MamaTexan
"The only birds around here that color are barn swallows and the Purple Martins."

I considered the possibility of a Purple Martin. I only saw him briefly. The color was striking. It's hard to make a mental note of details on a first sighting of an unfamiliar bird.

"That sounds a lot like a shore bird around here. I've always called them terns, but that's probably not their proper name."

We determined it was a Kildeer. See post above. Funny looking things, but very cute.

"Then, he raised up and looked OVER the hood of my car at me."

And you didn't have a camera? I always have my camera with me. Only problem is, there is rarely any place to pull over to get that picture you really want at the time you need to.

735 posted on 04/28/2005 5:02:17 AM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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To: MamaTexan
My poor little hummingbird sentinel is diligently minding his post this morning, even though he is just drenched from the rain. He is determined that no one is going to pilfer from HIS feeders!
736 posted on 04/28/2005 5:05:28 AM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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To: MamaTexan

Priceless!


737 posted on 04/28/2005 5:10:08 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: sweetliberty
Good Morning Sweetliberty
I'm moving to where you are! LOL! You are having great bird sightings. :) Kildear looks cute. Indingo Bunting too! Awesome!
738 posted on 04/28/2005 5:15:00 AM PDT by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: MamaTexan
Good Morning Mama Texan
I saw the Grosbeak yesterday too. I tried to get a location for where they stay during the summer but didn't find it on google yet. I didn't look hard enough.

Isn't it a treat seeing those Gold Finches. I'm lucky they hang around here all year. I love seeing them turn to gold. It's amazing! We are suppose to have Herons here. I've never seen one and have to check where they reside. :)
739 posted on 04/28/2005 5:24:38 AM PDT by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, past, present and future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: GodBlessUSA
Well, I'm not certain of the Indigo Bunting, but it was a stunning colored bird, and that was the first thing I thought of. But you're right; I have been having some amazing bird sightings. I think it may partly be that I am more attuned to them this year, and of course, this is my first spring at this location, so I'm thinking that the spring brings a larger variety and if conditions suit them, they just might hang around. Some may be just passing through.

Well, I guess I'd better shut it down. This storm seems to be escalating and I have to go to work anyway. *Grumble* Y'all have great day.

740 posted on 04/28/2005 5:26:17 AM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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