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'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!
Yep.
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>
</p> I always get these on some posts. Oh well. LOL!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
That's great. You're also probably noticing more, too. I know I do as we all chat about it.
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.
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.
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
ping for parents' yard
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.
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