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Shelburne Free Press https://shelburnefreepress.ca/?p=5931 Export date: Tue Jul 23 21:20:37 2024 / +0000 GMT |
Backyard birding is for everyone! Backyard Birding is an easy way to get in touch with nature that brings so much enjoyment. This winter has proven to be a real cold one and our feathered friends (the ones that stay throughout the winter, the Cardinals, Blue jays, Chickadees, Juncos, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers, Sparrows, Mourning Doves and more, are equipped to fend for food themselves, but in such extreme weather such as our most recent ice storm it is hard for them and they are thankful for open feeders. In return for your generous offerings, you will get to watch them, through your window from inside your warm and cozy house, possibly with a camera in hand. Keep in mind, the birds need the feed the most on those very cold days and if you want to keep them coming you need to keep the feeders full so they stay in your garden and not look for the next food source. With your feeders, you might attract the squirrels as well, but don't despair, if you stick to a squirrel proof feeder with suet balls, they may give up and head to another yard. The different varieties of birds each have preferences to the way they feed, what they like to eat and how comfortable they are at the feeding station. For instance, chickadees can be very bold. They will come right up beside you on a deck and eat from a suet ball, or flit and fly from one feeding station to the next. Whereas the Cardinal can be a little nervous until they feel very comfortable with where they feed. As well, Cardinals tend to feed in the morning and at dusk unless it is very very cold. Needless to say it is interesting and enjoyable to watch the differences in the bird varieties, see how many you can attract, and enjoy watching the bird pecking order. Yes there is a hierarchy in the bird world as well. Cardinals and Blue jays rule in our backyard for sure. We have a variety of feeders one being squirrel proof and others, but the one that the birds seem to gravitate to the most is a simple platform made from an old patio table form with a couple of plywood boards placed on it. The seed is poured on it every day, or every other day. And because we do this regularly they have become accustomed to it and gather in wait in the nearby cedar hedge for their meal to arrive. There are so many different types of seed choices but if you want a variety of birds to come, then you're best bet is the wild bird seed mix which contains Milo, white millet, and black oil sunflower seeds. You can get this mixture at your local grocery store, or if you have a coop or farmers market nearby you might want to try a similar mixture they sell as well. We have had the best results of attracting the birds by having different feeding stations around the yard, front and back. If you put the seed out, they will come eventually, especially in this cold weather. While you are feeding the birds, you might consider keeping a record of your feathered visitors for reference to your progress. It is rewarding to read back and enjoy their visits again. So go ahead give it a try, get involved, go to the library, get bird books, talk to people you know that already feed the birds. You might find it to be quite a rewarding hobby that brings nature to your garden and remember the birds will enjoy it too. By Chris McGowan |
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Post date: 2014-02-05 18:19:06 Post date GMT: 2014-02-05 23:19:06 Post modified date: 2014-02-12 14:13:00 Post modified date GMT: 2014-02-12 19:13:00 |
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