Creating A Bird Sanctuary In Your Yard

March 5, 2005 | sweetliberty

[GodBlessUSA]

I love the swifts and swallows. I finally saw a swallow last summer at a preserve. I took a picture to id him. him. It's a busy bird day here too. It's cold again though. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

LOL! I recognized that guy! We have a large one my son calls Morrow Zonda.? LOL!

[sweetliberty]

5 squirrels? What I wouldn't give for only 5 squirrels. *Sigh*

I'm pretty sure this blue bird is an Indigo Bunting. The one I mentioned before could have been a Purple Martin, but this one is all blue except for some black striping. It looks like the Indigo Bunting in this picture.

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Honestly, I wish I could just take the summer off and sit and watch the birds. LOL!

[sweetliberty]

"Are you saying that sparrow looking bird in GodBlessusa's post is a female Grosbeak?"

Yep.

[GodBlessUSA]

Nice Shots! Hummer and Jay! I sure wish I would see a Hummer in my yard. It's early yet here though. It's still so chilly</p>

[GodBlessUSA]

</p> I always get these on some posts. Oh well. LOL!

[sweetliberty]

It is definitely an Indigo Bunting. I just got another good look at him. He is so pretty. I really wish I could get some close up pictures of some of these birds. Danged digital camera. It is so irritiating not to be able to take a good picture through the window when there 's a screen. All my best views are out the kitchen window.

I am really quite amazed at seeing such a viariety of birds in my yard, especially since I haven't really done anything as far as planting to attract them. I maintain the feeders and the birdbath, and that's it. And some of the birds, like the Bluebirds and Brown Thrashers don't even use the feeders. I'm also amazed to have so many hummers, for the same reason, but I certainly do enjoy them.

[Quester]

Well, I have to admit that I was feeling pretty left out of all of the hummingbird (and otherbird) visits you guys were getting, but ...

... yesterday, I saw my very first live hummingbird. He/She zipped into the yard yesterday, and buzzed some of the frost-hit red Japanese Maple tree leaves (before obviously figuring out that there was no sustenance there) ... and then zipping away just as fast. I've got to say that it was kind of cool.

And my wife and I took time to check out the pair of Goldfinches that were frolicking in our trees Saturday afternoon as we finished some yard work.

... and I saw a bluebird at my folks the last time we visited.

So ... I guess I don't feel so left out anymore.

[GodBlessUSA]

Congratulations! That's great news about your Hummer! :)
I'm really hoping for visits from Hummers. I just got back from Walmart with more plants for them. I planted so many Hummer Plants in the feeder area, this has to be the year. LOL! :)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Do you mean it is your first sighting of a hummer ever, or just this year? I love watching them. There were 3-4 buzzing around here yesterday.

I just came in from planting the dogwood tree I got from my daughter for mothers day. I want to get one more, but it may have to wait for next year. I've got alot of horse expenses coming up.

GBUSA, I know salvia attracts hummers, what else does? My garden's pretty full this year, but if I knew what else to plant I might try it next year.

Becky

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Becky
You probably have more plants than you realize that attrack Hummers. Here's a few of mine,
Bleeding Heart
Cannas
Hibiscus
Salvia
Fuchsia
Impatiences
Penstemon
Hollyhock
Phlox
I'm sure I planted others and do not even know they attract Hummers
I need to get Cardinal plant. I wonder why they are attracted to red. Most of plants are not red. :)

[Quester]

Hi Becky,

Yep ... this was a first in a lifetime.

I've always lived rather 'in the city' so I've, so far, missed a lot of these less urban experiences.

[MamaTexan]

How neat! An Indigo bunting. He sounds beautiful :)

I can sympathize with your camera problem. These digital cameras are good for some things, but wildlife photography isn't one of them!

I haven't dome much bird planting either, but have a pretty good variety of wild food available. Like you, I have feeders and a birdbath (Love watching them splash around, it's hilarious), though we've planned a pond and a garden for the hummingbirds.

I know I've spotted a warbler of some kind. Maybe a Magnolia Warbler, but the pictures I've looked at on the net aren't that similar to what I saw. It was a small bird, about the size of a goldfinch with a bright yellow underside that stopped at his chin. The top and black were black and white. VERY noisy bird, constant chirping and small bits of song.

I'll keep looking for an ID for it.

[sweetliberty]

That's great. You're also probably noticing more, too. I know I do as we all chat about it.

[sweetliberty]

I was out filling the water by the hummer feeders in the back this evening and there was a guy looking at the place that's for sale behind me. He was talking to me and I'm just standing there by the feeders. They were buzzing around, at first like they were telling me to hurry up and leave so they could eat. After a few minutes I guess they decided to heck with it and one of them comes down and is feeding about 2 feet in front of my face. If I'd had my camera at that moment, I could've otten a great picture.

[sweetliberty]

I would love to do an outdoor fountain, but the more I read, the more leery I am of doing one. I have read several places that anything deeper than 3 inches is a hazard for the small birds.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Well I'm glad you've gotten to see one. There cheeky little buggers. I was watching two this evening fussing at the feeders, one flew off and landed in the red bud tree, and the other was swooping back and forth numerous times over the tree. I'd like to know if that is playing or fighting:). They cheep or whatever as fast as they flap their wings.

Becky

[Dad yer funny]

ping for parents' yard

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning!
Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. :) I got up at 430 and waited for them all to get up and arrive. Greeting the Jays with peanuts and they were happy. I saw a bird at the feeder I didn't recognize though it was brief, I couldn't even tell you who it was. I hope I see this bird again!

SweetLiberty, a Bunting now! You have incredible birds where you are! I'm so jealous. :)

I planted more plants for hummingbirds yesterday. They better visit! At least I know the butterflies will enjoy. Last year, we had a lot of butterflies and they are so lovely.

Enjoy your birds and gardening! :)

[sweetliberty]

I believe I had a Barn Swallow a couple of days ago. I am hoping that one comes back and lets me get a better look at him.

I do hope you get your hummers. It would be very rude of them not to show, what with all the work you've put into making them feed welcome.