What a cruel trick the weather is playing on us.
WE HAVE SNOW ! ! !
A bit depressing for us outdoor types.
Yet, what better time to cheer myself up by writing to you.
Karen is in the kitchen right now.
Pookie (Putta) is leaning on me while I give him some attention.
Who knows where the cats are.
Yolonda is in her room folding cloths for her mom.
The feeders are busier right now with the nasty weather, too bad the windowsare closed again.
Some good news for me............. my mom is back in her apartment aftera few weeks in the hospital and therapy.
I'm a mama's boy so that was a bit taxing on me.
Last week I told you about the yard where I grew up.
My dad passed away 20 years ago, but my mom kept the "Ole Homestead"for another 15 years.
With her kids busy raising families of their own, the yard didn't receive a lotof attention. Yet, the yard and wildlife flourished.
Mom added a humming bird garden off the back patio and would sit out thereon milder days and summer evenings and watch her little jewels.
Her birds would hardly flinch when we moved.
When filling her feeders, as soon as I turned my back the birds would show as fast as they left.
A small wooded area sat about 75 yards from our house. I believe the yardbecame an extension of the woods. As things grew, so did the collection of birds and wildlife.
HOW TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF BIRDS COMING TO YOUR YARD
Remember, where you live makes a difference in what you can plant and thevarieties of birds you will attract.
However, planting for birds will double the number of birds coming to your yard.
Here is a small list of trees for birds: Attracting Birds: Trees
Native trees work best, though not a total requirement. Some introduced specimens have been around long enough that plants and birds have adapted.
Look for trees that are zone hardy where you live.
Here is a zone map from USDA for North America:National Arboretum - USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
If you need some help, talk to your local garden center or better yet - a Certified Nurseryman in your area.
Speak with a professional who can assist in planting guidelines and requirements; such as sun or shade, will a tree tolerate wet feet.
What about fertilizer?
LET'S TAKE A WALK!
It's a nice day today, how about you and I go for a walk in a local park witha wooded area or find us an Arboretum.
Do you notice the canopies of the trees?
Do you see the brakes in the shaded areas?
The lower growing trees and shrubs.
Do you see the varieties of ground cover and under brush?
The wild flowers in bloom today are food tomorrow.
Can you hear the birds singing in the trees?
Did you notice the chickadee following us as we went down the trail?
I enjoyed this walk with you.
Let's do this again a few more times. Every couple of months just to see whatnature is offering the birds.
WHAT IS NEXT
Remember, now, to start with what you have.
Make your current trees and shrubs a focal point for now.
Backyard habitats take time and are years in the making.
Do what your budget, time, and body will allow.
This is a very important point, so let me say it again here:
"Do what your budget, time, and body will allow."
You'll experience the most joy backyard birding if you use this approach.
Also, look for sales.
Do any of your friends have snips of bushes you could root?
How about a family member or friend that has a few extra trees growing in a field?
Ask if you could dig some up.
Explain what you plan to do.
Remember, it is illegal to dig up any wild trees or flowers on public or private land without permission first.
Make a list of what you have and don't have.
Make another list of what you would like to plant for your new birdscape.
You might even mention to your neighbors what you plan on doing and dare suggest it become a neighborhood event.
I get excited talking to you about birds and nature.
Wouldn't it be nice to give back what we get from our surroundings?
Until next time my friend.
Have a blessed week and always SMILE.
Ron
http://www.backyardbirdingtips.com/
Ronald Patterson is an avid backyard birder, going back 40plus years. Ron and his wife Karen owned a wildbird specialty store through much of the 90's and through 2001. Ron is also a Michigan Certified Nurseryman. This aids in giving expert advice on birds and what to plant to attract wildbirds to your yard.
Ron's newsletter:
Backyard Birding Tips
http://www.backyardbirdingtips.com/
is a FREE weekly publication
Humming Birds Make Wonderful Pets
Humming birds are wonderful birds that are smart, playful, and easy to take care. Many new bird owners are surprised by the intelligence that many birds show.
A Critical Review Of The Thunder Birds Skill Stop Machine
Thunder Birds Skill Stop Machine is one of those slot machines that, in the past, were used in the famous aristocratic casinos These slot machines are found to feature spinning reels, ringing bells, and flashing lights
New Web Site is Definitely for the Birds
www.UnusualBirdhouses.com is a new online store that offers handsomely unique bird houses and bird feeders for any outdoor décor style, bringing their rustic cottage industry to the world via the World Wide Web.
Jewelry Findings for the Birds?
Buy a birdhouse -- help build a home. South Shore Habitat for Humanity's Birdhouse Display and Sale offered some unique birdhouse designs.
How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard Paradise For Less Than $100
Like many Americans, you may find bird watching to be a fascinating hobby. At the same time, perhaps you wonder how you can attract regular visitors to your yard without busting the bank by purchasing expensive foliage, feeders, and food.
WhirlyBird Repeller-- A New, Simple, Safe and Effective Solution to Repelling Nuisance Birds
The US Coast Guard, US Power Squadron, and Irvin House Vineyards all say the WhirlyBird Repeller really works. The amazing device repels nuisance birds from boats, docks, navigational aids, communication towers, vineyards and other areas where bird droppings are a problem. It is tough enough to withstand hurricane-force winds and is simple, effective and does no harm to birds.
The Wildlife In Cuba: Birdwatching And The Island?s Indigenous Land Mammals
The Caribbean is known for its wildlife, and naturally Cuba is no exception However, if you don?t know what you?re looking for, you can miss an awful lot ? especially with the world?s smallest humming bird, and a frog smaller than a penny are endemic to the island
How To Attract Birds With Window Bird Feeders
One of the great things about having a backyard garden is all the birds that are attracted by the plants. If you don't have enough space to have a garden in your backyard, there are still ways to attract birds. Window bird feeders are a great way to do this, even if you don't have any yard space at all.
Feed the Birds
Elaborate and decorative or simple and functional, birdhouses and birdfeeders are lovingly coveted by many people (and birds)!The collector seeking a new piece for the den or study need only consider personal taste and aesthetics- many who enjoy the careful art and craftsmanship of a beautiful birdhouse or feeder would never think of placing their precious gift outside in the rain and other elements.The serious or novice birder, on the other hand, has just a bit more to consider.
The Birds in My Life Soars to #1 Bestseller at AMAZON.com: Gusi Peace Prize Laureate The Supreme Master Ching Hai Tells a
Story of Renewed Hope for
The Birds in My Life, a newly published real life picture-story book about 23 jubilant talking birds and their compassionate caretaker crowns the international Bestseller List in the general category of all books at Amazon.com.
Treat The Birds To A Bird Bath!
All birds love to have a bath every now and again. Don?t get me wrong, they do not like to be placed in water and washed all over. They prefer to give themselves a bath! Whilst our pets don?t necessarily need one, wild birds absolutely love them, and you can buy one and place it in your garden without any hassle. In fact, some bird baths look really nice in a garden, and they can make really good outdoor ornaments.
Hang Gliding: Flying Like the Birds in Orlando, Florida
Humans have always envied the way that birds fly in the air, and though we now have airplanes to take us through the air to our destinations, sitting in a pressurized cabin is not quite the same as feeling the wind as you glide through the sky Thanks to new developments in the sport of hang-gliding it is now possible for more people to have the bird-like experience of gliding through the air
Social Robotic MAVs to Divert Migratory Birds with H5N1 Virus
We need to develop robotic unmanned MAVs; Micro-air Vehicles to stay within the bird populations. As the migratory birds contract the H5N1 Bird Flu Virus stain and travel they will introduce this to the mosquito population and to local birds.
About Avian Flu Birds
Avian flu is commonly called bird flu. It is an infection that occurs naturally in birds. The virus is carried by wild birds in their intestines. The wild birds rarely get sick from the virus. It is however very contagious among domesticated birds like chickens, ducks and turkeys. It can make them very sick, very quickly and usually leads to death.
Galapagos Cruises and the Birds of the Galapagos Islands
Near the coast of Ecuador, about 1000 km away, are the Galapagos Islands. They are a group of remote and pure spots that are perfect for nature lovers. It isn?t just for the beautiful views and naturist surroundings, many Galapagos island tours can highlight these views. This is a great place to see the most fascinating group of wildlife by way of Galapagos travel. Many say that the animals are as free as the people to explore and interact with nature. The many freedoms that the animals have are also somewhat limited because many on the island are endangered. The general public can explore by way of Galapagos island trips, but they also are required to respect the boundaries and legal restraints that are required to keep the islands p...