Well, another week is passing us by.
I want to thank everyone who writes me back.
Gardens and birds can bring total strangers together.
ISN'T IT GREAT!
I feel as though I'm getting to know you and we are becoming neighbors.
You may have fledglings by now.
None for me just yet.
Even with Michigan weather, things are changing in the yard everyday now.
Birds come and go.
Plants seem to grow a foot some days.
New blooms, new plantings.
Chipmunk is still on the loose.
Karen is in a battle with some rabbits munching down her pansies.
Baby powder works wonderful until it rains.
Same with ammonia water.
I may have to break down and get some liquid fence.
Oh well.........................
Last week I was pointing out ways to attract more birds by building under the tree canopies.
There are birds that live in all levels of a forest and our yards.
By gardening with this in mind, attracting several birds will be easier for you.
PERENNIAL GARDENING
Perennial gardens can be a bit of a challenge, yet fun in many ways.
Trees and shrubs become more permanent fixtures in out yards.
As with trees and shrubs, write in on your plans where and what you maywant to plant.
Consider bloom time, how tall your plant may get.
What kind of spread will your new plants have?
Will it be invasive?
Do you want to color coordinate by planting several shades of pinks or yellows?
What about reds and blues?
What will grow in shade and what requires sun?
WHEW! ! !
So many questions I think I'm getting a headache.
FEAR NOT MY FRIEND!
One thing nice about gardening for birds.......
IT'S YOUR YARD!
You can do what you want and however you want to do it.
If you have enough of the attractors planted, birds will come.
Let's go ahead and get started.
Now I know I said it's your yard, but I'm going to help you spend some ofyour money.
You get the rest of the fun.
You get to plant and watch things grow.
You get the rewards of watching nature come to life in your yard.
GETTING STARTED
Once again, go to your zone maps and see what is hardy in your area.
Check out the local nurseries and garden centers.
Look in specialty catalogs.
I like to have something a bit unique if possible.
You know, that one plant that no one else has.
In landscaping, plants are done up in odd numbers.
1....... 3........5 etc.
One is an accent plant, something you want to show off or highlight a certain area.
Groupings are attractors.
Groupings can brake up a mundane landscape.
Highs and lows.
Breaks in the landscape force the eyes to follow more closely.
If you noticed on our walk, your eyes followed every up and down.
You were able to catch colors and wildlife you would've missed if you were watching and walking a straight path.
So it goes in your yard.
WHAT TO PLANT
Some very common perennials are:
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia).
Goldfinches love the seeds from these late summer bloomers.
Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea).
Finches and other small seed-eating birds are attracted to the seed heads late into the fall.
Did you know there are several other seed-producing plants that you may have in your yard right now?
How about daylilies (Hemerocallis).
Yes, if let go, nice seeds can form on these perennial favorites.
Blanket flower (Gailardia)
Again, season long seed heads.
Crocosmia (Crocosmia 'Lucifer')
Besides being great hummingbird attractors, Crocosmia have seed pods
similar to daylilies that open up to show their delights to the birds.
Perennial sunflowers (Helianthus multiflorus)
In late summer into early fall this plant continues to bloom and will fill up with goldfinches.
LOSE THE CLIPPERS
It is so tempting to want that nice groomed look in our yard.
Yet, to make it bird friendly, you will need to lighten up on the clippers and pruning sheers.
Keep some of those old faded bloom stalks standing.
Don't be so quick to cut back that branch.
Your work of art is on going and you will figure it out.
It's fun when you can add a planting or move them around.
Birds will find your yard more friendly when they have a place to rest and feed.
Think of the nesting possibilities.
Another bonus is strangers that will stop just to peek at your masterpiece.
That will give you a warm fuzzy.
An important part to any yard is of course your personality.
Be sure to put plenty of your personality into your yard.
time to go.
Until next time my friend.
Be sure to smile, you might confuse someone
Ron
http://www.backyardbirdingtips.com/
Ron Patterson has been feeding and caring for backyard birds for the past 40 years. He is always looking for better and safer ways to fees and garden for birds. Ron is a Michigan Certified Nurseryman as well. This gives him the expert experience and knowledge needed to garden for birds. You can find Ron's weekly newsletter "Backyard Birding Tips" at: http://www.backyardbirdingtips.com/
2008 Lyra Imaging Symposium Explores New Technologies Challenging the Business Model: Early-birds save $150
Lyra Research announces that the 2008 Lyra Imaging Symposium will be held January 28-30, 2008 at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. The Symposium's official theme is "New Technologies Challenging the Business Model." To save $150 off standard registration rates, call Sandy Tobin at 617-454-2612, or visit http://www.lyra.com/symposium and register before November 30, 2007.
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.
Wine Food Pairing - Turducken, Three Birds in One!
Remember the old TV commercial "two, two, two mints in one"? Well, a Turducken is "three, three, three birds in one"! A turkey, a duck and a chicken are combined together to make this delightful bird.
God Feeds The Birds Of The Air, But He Doesn't Drop It Into Their Nests
It has been said that God feeds the birds of the air, but He doesn't drop it into their nests. The food is out there in amazing and unfathomable abundance, but they have to go out and get it.
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.
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.
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.
Acclimating New Birds
Now that my services have expanded into the "matchmaking" business, it dawned on me that we need to talk about the transition of a bird moving to a new home, whether a hand fed baby just adopted to a new home or an older bird going to a second home. This is a stressful time for any bird, but you can help lessen the strife and make the move easier for both your new bird and the rest of the family.
For the Birds: Selecting and Placing a Bird House
Bird watching brings enjoyment to many people. Selecting and correct placement of bird house can attract many birds to your yard.
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...
Gardening For Birds
What a cruel trick the weather is playing on us.WE HAVE SNOW ! ! !A bit depressing for us outdoor types.
Bird Banding - Birds With Jewelry
Ever seen a bird in the wild with a tiny silver ring on its leg? Maybe- maybe not, but they are out there by the thousands. Actually, millions of birds worldwide are banded each year and released unharmed as a way of studying behavior, migration, breeding success and more! The bird is handled approximately 5- 10 minutes during the banding process. Some birds are captured multiple times without any apparent ill effects from the banding experience.
RejeX-it from Martinson-Nicholls Repels Geese and Other Birds Without Harming Wildlife or the Environment
In too many places, birds have found lawns, sports fields, parks, golf courses, and corporate settings near a lake or pond so agreeable, they cease migrating. With their fiercely territorial and aggressive behavior, geese often wear out their welcome and become a nuisance. Their feeding habits damage grass, and their unsanitary droppings pose health problems. RejeX-it represents an effective alternative to repelling nuisance birds without harming them.
Bird Cages Aren't Just For The Birds
Everyone knows that bird cages are built for birds ? big or small, loud or quiet, with or without any vocabulary range, birds live in cages and call them home. That is purely what they are designed to do, right? Well, not exactly. Chances are that you?ve got someone in your family who decorates with them. Bird cages hanging from the ceiling, sitting on top of the TV and perched at the back of the toilet; they are well and truly a decorating scheme.
Special Ingredients: Shark Fins & Birds Nest
There are wide variety of ingredients in Chinese cooking. The ingredients that we normally see can be divided into two major kinds: vegetable and animal.