Creating A Bird Sanctuary In Your Yard

March 5, 2005 | sweetliberty

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi HairOfTheDog
I have a feeding area for the squirrels too. Sometimes there's a squirrel convention out there. :)

Fortunately, I haven't seen any mold problems here. That's a bummer. I rake up daily or every other day. It's a pain and you may not have the time to get to it. Sometimes I wish I could use a vacuum. :)

[sweetliberty]

"we roped off the front porch and put up a small sign that directed everyone to the back!"

I don't blame you. I would have done the same thing.

[Ciexyz]

I have been feeding one sparrow who has been coming by itself all winter. I put a small handful of bird seed under a patio chair. I do this for the bird's protection. There are crows that perch in nearby trees, and it's been reported that sparrow hawks are swooping down on the birds at feeders in this area.

The sparrow seems comfortable with feeding underneath a chair since it's a protective covering. It comes down every day to see if I've put anything out.

[Vigilantcitizen]

Awesome pics.

See post 39.

[GodBlessUSA]

Yes, they do that here too. Isn't that a hoot! They are such friendly little birds. The Chickadees and the Titmice have their own feeder right next the deck where I sit. They get quite use to us.

[sweetliberty]

"even if you have attracted rats, you might soon also attract their predators"

Good point.

[GodBlessUSA]

Thank You so much for the link. I'm going to do this today. I can make up the lost bird shots but my kids pictures can't be retaken :(.

[sweetliberty]

"He had a snake in his claws. He flew up to the top of an old pine tree and screched a couple of times. Then another hawk flew to the same tree, took the snake, and flew away."

ROTFL! Bet the first one was PO'd! Were they trying to impress wimmin hawks, you reckon?

[groanup]

Have you tried using feeder trays to catch what falls on the ground?

No. Seems like the birds would just go to the feeder trays. We live in a very old neighborhood that has become quite popular. Every few years someone builds a few condos on some old growth woods near us (grrrr!) and the rats are flushed out.

[Vigilantcitizen]

Thanks for the ping. I have a problem. Our bird feeders are VERY popular with the local avian population. Unfortunately the seeds, etc are spilled all over the ground and attract rats.

Around my feeders, the doves and cardinals leave nothing for the rats on the ground.

[Zacs Mom]

How cool!! I wonder if they are a nesting pair!!

[MamaTexan]

Thanks for the ping to the new thread!

I've seen a few Goldfinches on the new feeder. I hope there will be more as time goes by.

Another tidbit on my favorite birds- Hummingbirds drink nectar, but also eat an amazing amount of insects.

For a special hummingbird treat, split a banana lengthwise, leaving the peel on.

Place it on a table, windowsill, etc., somewhere close to your hummingbird feeder, but not on the ground.

After a short time, the banana will start to attract a tiny black fruit-fly.... the hummingbirds most favored 'snack'!

[GodBlessUSA]

They pass through here late in the winter. Last year, I went looking for them at a bird sanctuary. I was not lucky to see any. They should be coming soon again, I'll give it another shot! How lucky you are! Enjoy them!

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Okay, I don't know how to link photos - but here is a link to one I took last year of a hummingbird.

http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=showMyPhoto&albumID=288235578&photoID=288238770&security=DybBrS

[groanup]

We have red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, great horned owls, barred owls, peregrine falcons, barn owls, you name it. The daytime predators seem to go for the squirrels and of course the falcons like birds. The owls seem to come and go. I do believe that they hang around for the rats.

[Vigilantcitizen]

Were they trying to impress wimmin hawks, you reckon?

They are a nesting pair. We'd been seeing them "flirt" most of the week.

[sweetliberty]

The Titmice like a variety of food and are not particular about the type of feeders either. The Titmice here eat from ALL the feeders, except the Finch feeders, they're funniest with peanuts.

[GodBlessUSA]

By the way, You had those birds on your hands!! That is awesome!

I just planted a lot of berrying trees, shrubs and plants last year. I hope some perform this year. I love the Mockingbirds and Catbirds. I'm trying to keep them happy! I feed them fruit and Jelly now but I think they will enjoy the new plantings.

[groanup]

Around my feeders, the doves and cardinals leave nothing for the rats on the ground.

I have hydrangeas under the feeders which I probably should dig up. Ever tried to dig those things up? What a pain.