Archives

BACKYARD SECRET – HOW MANY BIRDS VISIT OUR FEEDERS?

May24

                   If you have ever wondered how many species of birds visit our feeders, here are some figures you might find interesting.

       Across the country, some 350 species of birds feed at our feeders.  Ninety of these species are either regular or casual diners. The remaining 260 species are rare visitors.

       Here in the Peach State, those of us that feed birds in our yards can attract as many as 25-35 species to our bird cafes.

       How many species of birds do you feed in your backyard?

WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN PHOTOGRAPHING BIRD NESTS AND YOUNG IN YOUR BACKYARD

May10

       Many of us are fortunate that birds nest in our yards.  Some of the birds that commonly nest in our trees, shrubs, and nesting boxes are cardinals, brown thrashers, and mockingbirds.  If we just happen across a nest while walking about our yards or notice adults regularly bringing food to their young, it is not hard to find a nest. When you locate one, often the first thing that often comes to mind is the desire to take pictures of the nest, eggs and young. There is nothing wrong with this however, if you are not careful your attempts to take great pictures can result in the birds abandoning it or the eggs and/or young found in the nest falling prey to predators. Here are a few tips that will help ensure that this does not happen.

       Keep your visits to a minimum. If you visit nests where the adults are incubating their eggs, the nesting birds will often abandon their nests.  This is especially tree early in incubation.  In addition, frequent visits can alert predators that a nest is near.

       When photographing nests and their contents, you should never cut leaves and branches that prevent you from taking clear photos.  When you cut down the vegetation, you are making it easier for predators to find it.

       Resist the urge to take pictures from as close as possible. Take your photographs as far away as possible. Then regardless of whether you are taking photos with a camera equipped with a telephoto lens, or a smart phone, you can later easily edit the photographs digitally.

       In addition, when photographing adults bringing food to their young, you should always stand as far away as you possibly can.  When you are too close, the parents will sometimes not visit or reduce the number of times they bring food to their hatchlings.

       If you are careful, you will be able to take some memorable photos of the nest and while you witness a new generation of birds fledge—it does not get any better than that.

      

        

BACKYARD SECRET – IT IS TIME TO PREPARE FOR ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS

Apr29

        Now is a great time to be on the lookout for rose-breasted grosbeaks migrating home for the nesting season.  During the past several days, I have received reports of rose-breasted grosbeaks visiting backyards scattered across the state.  If you want to stand the best chance of seeing the handsome birds in your backyard, here are a few suggestions.

       To begin with, fill your feeders with their favorite seeds.  I have always provided the migrants with black oil sunflower seeds. They are also fond of safflower seeds and raw peanuts.  While I have never served up either seed to northbound migrants, my daughter fills her feeders with both sunflower and safflower seeds.  This year, the birds visiting her yard have shown a preference for safflower seeds. On the other hand, I have not seen a grosbeak in my yards this spring.

       You can also enhance your chances of attracting the birds by offering seeds on platform and tray feeders; they will also use large hopper feeders.

       The location of your feeders can also affect whether or not the birds dine at your backyard diner.  While they will visit feeders in any number of locations, they seem to prefer feeders placed near large deciduous trees and thick shrubs.

       Finally, offer the migrants plenty of clean water.

       I hope you will hosting rose-breasted grosbeaks in your yard very soon.

BACKYARD SECRET-WEBSITE THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION ON NATIVE PLANTS IN YOUR AREA

Apr23

       The number and variety of native plants that grow in your yard plays a key role on determining what species of wildlife will inhabit your yard. The problem is trying to determine which plants will grow in your neck of the woods.

       The National Audubon Society has simplified the task of trying to identify which native wildlife-friendly plants grow in the county where you live.

       If you want to access this information, go to the National Audubon Society’s website.  Once there scroll to the window labeled Plants that Grow in your Area.  You will see a place where you enter your zip code.  Type in your zip code; press the Enter button and the plant list for your area will appear.

AN EASY WAY TO PROVIDE BIRDS WITH NESTING MATERIAL

Apr20

 

       Some backyard birds incorporate hair in their nests.  In fact, my wife and daughter watched a tufted titmouse pluck hair from one of our sleeping bird dogs.   This is a form of kleptotrichy.

       If you want to do something to help your feathered neighbors other than provide them with food, water and cover, try offering them nesting material.  

       Recently my wife and I packed hair my wife trimmed from out little housedog into a wire suet feeder.  They next day after we hung the wire feeder up in your backyard, the hair began disappearing.  Since we have not caught any bird in the act of plucking hair from the feeder, we have are not sure what birds are using it.  Perhaps it is a tufted titmouse, who knows?

       If you do try offering your backyard birds hair trimmed from your family dog, make sure that it is free of flea and tick control chemicals and shampoos.

 

 

 

BACKYARD SECRET – TIME SPENT WITH NATURE CAN BENEFIT OUR MENTAL HEALTH

Mar25

       Jay Maddock, a professor of public health at Texas A&M University, reports that spending time with nature can have a positive effect on our mental health.  According to Maddock, “Spending even a short amount of time in nature has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress.”  He goes to say, “There are noticeable benefits in as little as 10 minutes at a time and some emerging evidence that two hours a week is beneficial to mental health.”

BACKYARD SECRET – OFFER WHITE FEATHERS TO TREE SWALLOW

Mar15

          We are rapidly approaching the tree swallows nesting season for the tree swallow here in Georgia.  With that that in mind, if you find tree swallows attempting to build a nest in one of your nesting boxes, here is something that might considering doing to help tree swallows construct a nest.

          Tree swallows just love to incorporate white feathers in their nests.  Since such feathers can often be hard for the birds to locate, you can come to their aid by simply scattering some white feathers near their nesting box. Then sit back and wait.    Since the females do most of the nest building, there is a good chance you will see her fly down and gather some of the feathers to add to the nest.

          Even if tree swallows do not use the feathers, all is not lost.  A number of other birds will add them to their nests too.

THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT – BIRDING WITH A PURPOSE

Feb5

          There are 365 days in the year, however during four special days in February you and your family can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count.  During these four days you will be able to join literally hundreds of thousands of bird enthusiasts living in more than 200 countries scattered across the globe in a survey designed to assist ornithologists better understand the world’s bird populations.

          The 2026 Great Backyard Bird Count will take place February 13-16.

          The survey is sponsored by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada.

          This has got to be the simplest bird survey you have ever seen.  All you have to do is select an area (e.g. backyard, park, you name it) and count all of the birds you can identify in just 15 minutes.  You can survey as many areas are you like during the four-day count period. In fact, you can survey the same areas each day. 

          Then after you complete a survey count you submit the data online.  The survey form is very simple and takes only a few moments to complete.  One of the neatest things about the count once you submit a survey you can visit a map of the world displaying where the counts are being held.

          You do not have to be an expert birder  to take part in the survey.  This is because you count only those birds you can identity.  Consequently, this is a survey practically everyone can enjoy.

          For more information regarding this super event, simply go to your computer’s search engine and type in Great Backyard Bird Count.  The  website  will provide you with all of the information you need to enjoy some tine birding knowing that the bird list(s) you submit will help bird conservation.

 

WHAT ARE THE 10 BIRDS THAT MOST OFTEN VISIT GEORGIA BIRD FEEDERS?

Jan8

        According to a conservation group named Avian Report the bird most often seen at Georgia bird feeders is the northern cardinal (95.6%).  Rounding out the top 10 list are the tufted titmouse (94.67%), Carolina chickadee (93.78%), Carolina wren (90.22%), house finch (89.76%), mourning dove (85.78%), American goldfinch (85.78%), downy woodpecker (85.33%), red-bellied woodpecker (82.22%), and eastern bluebird (80.89%).

       How does this list stack up with the birds that visit your feeders?

WHERE TO PLACE A NEW FEEDER

Dec31

        If you received a new feeder for Christmas, here is what some experts say is the perfect spot.  They recommend you follow the 5-7-9 rule.

       This means the bottom of the feeder should be at least five feet above the ground, seven feet away from a fence, shrub, tree or other object, and in a location, that is at least nine from below an overhanging limb.

       Some experts say that this will help keep squirrels from raiding bird feeders.  While this might help, I suspect placing a feeder in such a location will not make the feeder 100% squirrel-proof. 

       If you erect your new feeder in such a location, let me know how it works.