Birding
“Vacationing ” Songbirds
Entice 'vacationing' songbirds to spend their summer in your backyard. And keep year round guests contented by serving
a summertime spread of warm weather treats. On the menu:
- Live and dehydrated insects
- Diced dried fruits
- No-melt suets
Adjust your bird buffet in the summer to appeal to fruit and insect eating songbirds. You'll entice new visitors to your
yard and permanent 'residents' will enjoy the variety.
Insects... Many birds can't get enough of this protein-rich delight - and prefer a tasty meal of bugs to any other
food! Bluebirds, robins, woodpeckers and more particularly enjoy live and roasted mealworms. Pre-packaged dehydrated,
insect morsels are a convenient alternative -- ask your retailer for additional information and availabilty.
Fruit... Orioles, robins, mockingbirds, catbirds, tanagers, cedar waxwings and bluebirds all love fruit. Most
fruit-eaters are insect-eaters, not seed eaters, though there are exceptions, including the cardinal, which enjoys both
seed and fruit. Locate your fruit feeder away from your seed feeders to give fruit eaters their own haven. Look for
packaged dehydrated fruits when fresh is not in season or readily available.
No-melt suet cakes... These "no-melt" miracle cakes really stand up to summer's heat! The secret is there are
more grains in our heat-resistant suets -- that stave off melting. And this soft, smooth texture makes it the preferred
food for nestlings. No-melts are available in a variety of flavors including: nut, fruit and insect. Serve these special
cakes in any standard suet feeder. Check with your retailer for suggestions.
Enjoy each one of your feathered guests this summer!
WATER! WATER! WATER!
Cool, clean, refreshing water - birds need it as much as food.
- Birds & bathing
- A clean bath is essential
- Moving water attracts birds
Summer is the perfect time to outfit your existing bath with a mister, dripper or fountain, buy a brand new bath or
add an exciting water feature to your landscape.
Water wisdom
- Birds don't bathe for fun - they bathe to keep feathers in top flight condition. This is essential in order for
them to flee from predators.
- Keep your bird bath clean! It's healthier for birds and reduces potential spread of disease. We suggest you scrub
your bath every other day with a brush and a solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water. Or purchase convenient bottles
of ready-made cleaning solution -- check with your retailer for availabilty.
- Active, moving water is a magnet for birds! You'll entice a wider variety of species when you add a mister,
dripper or fountain to your bath. It's easy and inexpensive to convert your existing bath into a "water park" for the
birds. Misters are quite appealing to hummers and butterflies -- as well as songbirds! Ask your retailer for more ideas on
how to best incorporate water into your backyard.
Goldfinch Facts
A favorite backyard songbird is the American Goldfinch... adored for their
lemony color, graceful flight and enchanting song. May is the perfect month to celebrate these delightful "charmers".
A few goldfinch facts that might surprise you
- Nyjer Seed -- the "pot of gold" for goldfinches!
- Goldfinches are primarily monogamous birds, but a few females will seek a different partner after producing the
first brood. These prolific females leave their original mate behind to raise their fledglings, while they journey off to
start a new family.
- The American Goldfinch is the only member of its family to complete two full molts a year. All other species only molt
once in the fall, but goldfinches undergo a total molt of their body feathers in the spring as well -- just in time
for breeding season.
- When other songbirds are finished with breeding season, the American Goldfinch is just getting started! They are one of
the latest birds to breed -- typically waiting until late June or early July. If you haven't set out nesting materials
yet, it's not too late!
- What is a group of these birds called? A charm of goldfinches...
- Nyjer Seed resembles grains of wild rice and is coveted by Goldfinches for its high fat and protein content.
House finches, purple finches, towhees, pine siskins, and juncos enjoy a little Nyjer in their diet. Nyjer imported into
the U.S. has been heated to prevent it from germinating -- so seed sprouting is not a concern. Nyjer requires a
specialty feeder to accomodate its tiny size -- check with your retailer for suggestions on selecting the best Nyjer
feeder for your situation.
Best wishes for a songfilled spring,In this issue of Birdfeeding Tips:
Tips for Early Summer
It's family time in the backyard -- eggs are hatching, parent birds are busy
feeding nestlings, and soon the young will begin to fly!
1. Nesting Material:
Some birds, such as the robin, nest more than once a season. So keep putting out nesting
materials such as string and yarn (no more than 5" long!).
2. Birdbaths: Keep them
filled daily with fresh water -- your birds will be grateful! Look for products that break
the surface water tension -- this stops moquitoes from breeding. To give a good season's cleaning
to your bath: one part bleach to 10 parts water, scrub, and let dry in the sunshine. Remember,
the very best placement of a birdbath is in the shade and away from easy jumping-off places
for a predator such as the neighbor's cat.
3. Hummingbird Feeders:
Clean each time before you refill with nectar -- this will keep your beautiful hummingbirds healthy.
4. Seed Storage:
Concerned about summer heat and bug problems with seed? Always store seed in a cool, dry
place. You may refrigerate or freeze extra supplies too.
5 Top
Birdfeeding Questions in Summer
Summertime. A wonderful season to enjoy the colors and behaviors of birds up close as we spend
more time outdoors...
1.
What's the best way to clean my bird feeder? How often?
Give all feeders a good cleaning once a
month. Remove any seed and scrub clean with a mild soap.
Rinse well with fresh water. A clean feeder is essential
to the good health of your birds!
2.
What's the best way to clean my birdbath?
Wash your bath with water and white
vinegar. Our formulation is one tablespoon white vinegar
to one gallon of water. The vinegar will help to prevent
algae growth. Water should be changed every few days to
insure a fresh, clear water supply.
3. I
love goldfinches and want them, but I don't want Nyjer
seed to sprout on my lawn -- will it?
Did you know tha all Nyjer (thistle) seed sold in the
U.S. is imported? These oil-rich tiny black seeds
are heat sterilized immediately upon reaching these
shores to make sure the shipments are not
bringing in any other plant or animal materials. This
procedure is under regulation from the US Dept of
Agriculture. Nyjer in our experience doesn't spout
that readily. From time to time there may be
a stray bloom that rises -- it has a small yellow
flower on a 8-12" stem, is easily pulled and is not
considered invasive, nor is it as prickled as the
purple-bloomed Scottish Thistle. Feed Nyjer seed
in confidence -- the birds will love it.
4.
How can I keep bees away from hummingbird feeder?
If it's honeybees that are a problem, they prefer
feeders in sunlight, so move your feeder into the shade.
If they persist: distract them by putting out a
super-sugar water concentration in a shallow dish --
they will probably leave the feeder for the easy sipping
at the plate, and you can keep adding distance
between the plate and feeder day by day. If
yellow-jackets invade, sometimes its just best to let
them 'have the feeder' and put up another for hummers
elsewhere. When purchasing a new hummingbird
feeder, look for bee guards or nectar ports designed to
thwart bees. Look for designs that will not
leak or drip!
5.
Won't the birds find natural foods in the summer? Why
should I still be putting out seed?
Yes, birds will find natural foods, and
you may want to reduce your amounts. However, we
recommend that you still offer some seed so that you
will have the enjoyment of the birds at the time of year
when you are outdoors the most. Also, the birds are
particularly pretty in the summer -- for example, the
American Goldfinch is brilliant lemon yellow! Remember,
throughout the year birds acquire the greater part of
their nourishment from natural sources not from us!
Enjoy all your summer days,
In
Praise of the American Goldfinch
The month of August often brings
us more delightful views of the bird sometimes known as the
“wild canary”. We see the bright lemon-yellow males with deep black and white markings,
and the
subtle olive-colored females feeding at our feeders or balancing atop a coneflower in the garden
as they pick out seeds.
The male American goldfinch is the only one of our backyard birds to undergo a change in color
with the seasons, turning gray for winter then molting into his 'gold' in spring.
Offer nyjer (thistle) seed in tube feeders with tiny feed holes to attract these lovely birds.
They also love hulled sunflower seed. Goldfinches are exclusively grain and seed eaters and have
provided service to us by consuming weed seeds in our yards.
The goldfinch in the East has the latest breeding season of our backyard birds, in late July, with
hatchings in August. They nest in trees and shrubs from 2 to 30 feet high, and craft a nest out of
plant fibers and plant down.
Goldfinches love to bathe and preen their feathers -- so keep your bath filled to entice
them.
Goldfinches often travel in flocks -- called “charms of goldfinches”. These flocks are
somewhat nomadic and move to find new sources of food, sometimes traveling up to five miles a day.
If a flock leaves you, another often will arrive to sample the fare at your feeders. Keep feeders
clean to help the birds stay healthy!
Fall Tips to Prepare for Winter Birdfeeding Success
Start Now to Ready Your Yard for Winter's Arrival!
- Provide more
food now
- Remember
crucial water
- Shelter --
the easy way
- Fall birdfeeding
clean up
Increase the variety and number of
feeders in your yard.
With colder weather on its way, provide an array of foods and feeders to attract as
many birds as possible. Locate several seed feeders of different types (tube, hopper, platform) in different
spots in the yard, and put out suet to offer a concentrated energy boost. Berries you have picked and stored
will be welcome, too, for birds such as thrushes who usually don't eat seeds. Tube feeders cater mostly to
small songbirds, feeders with roomier perching will welcome the larger birds such as cardinals and jays.
Caged feeders while protecting the foods inside also provide lots of perching -- more birds to enjoy as they
wait their turn to feed!
Water is as essential now as in the rest of
the year.
Birds require water not just for quenching their thirst but to keep their feathers in
top flight condition. Investing in a water heater for a birdbath is a gift to the birds -- and you will enjoy
seeing birds flock on an icy day and knowing how you've helped.
Create natural shelter.
Birds need to find shelter when the weather turns icy, snowy and sleety. As you clean up
the yard this fall you can create a natural shelter by piling up boughs and twigs at the edge of your
property. Inexpensive! And appreciated!
Fall clean-up tips.
Make sure feeders are in good shape and safe for the birds. Clean out bird houses --
in winter some birds take shelter in nesting boxes. Place feeders so you'll have easy access for refilling
if there's a lot of snow! Plan an area in your yard that you'll dedicate to ground feeding this winter --
find a location that is easy to walk to and easy to keep clear of snow.
Attract colorful visitors to your yard this autumn!
Prepare your yard for fall
Welcome new guests to your feeders this fall! Beautiful birds
such as the female northern cardinal
are often year-round residents in many yards. Invite a whole new group of birds to visit during fall
migration season. Weary winged travelers heading towards their winter homes appreciate an offering of food,
drink, bath and shelter along their migratory route.
Feeders and food for one and all! First, examine the feeders
you currently use--are they clean, safe and
fully operational? If not, scrub, repair or replace old feeders. An assortment of feeder styles will attract
a variety of birds--certain birds prefer platforms, others will only use ground feeders, and many respond well
to suet feeders. Your retailer can assist you with selecting the feeders and food that are right for the birds
you want to attract.
Build a brush-pile for the birds. Locate an inconspicuous
corner of your yard and heap raked leaves,
clippings, branches and twigs into a mound. Insects will thrive beneath the cover of the brush-pile
and insect-eating birds will happily forage through the debris looking for food. Birds will also use the pile
for shelter on a cold or windy night.
Birds must have water for survival. Migrating birds need a
clean source of water for drinking and bathing.
Bathing keeps feathers in top-flight condition. If you live in a region where temperatures dip below freezing
at night purchase a bath with a built-in heater, or add a plug-in heater to your existing bath. Check your
baths daily and remove any debris immediately--and keep them filled to ensure an abundant supply of fresh,
clean water.
You're sure to experience a tremendous sense of satisfaction knowing you have assisted our feathered friends
along in their amazing, yet arduous autumn journey. Fall truly is an exciting time of the year
for bird-lovers!
And remember, bird feeders make
wonderful holiday gifts!
Cold weather is around the corner. Help our feathered friends survive by providing
these essentials:
Protective shelter
Energy-packed, nutrition-rich foods
Fresh, ice-free water
Provide shelter. Mature trees and shrubs on your property
afford birds a natural source of protection from
the cold. If mature vegetation does not exist--start planting now to provide shelter in the years to
come. Evergreens, with their dense branching and blanket of needles, are excellent for providing refuge.
Woody trees will develop large trunks and sturdy limbs to create ideal accomodations for cavity dwellers.
An interim solution is to install sheltering roosting boxes that allow many birds to huddle together for
warmth. Unlike regular birdhouses, roosting boxes are uniquely designed with the opening at the bottom to
reduce heat loss.
Serve winter hardy foods. Suet is the perfect food for cold
weather feeding. With its high fat content suet
offers energy-rich nutrition to help birds stay warm. Serve in a specialty suet feeder, or crumbled up and
placed on a platform feeder. We recommend hearty seed blends with nuts and black oil sunflower seeds. Ask
your retailer for advice on selecting the proper foods and feeders for cold weather conditions.
Water. Water. Water. A vital element in your bird-friendly
yard is a birdbath--preferably one that is heated
or can accept a heater. Birds must have fresh, ice-free water for bathing and drinking year-round. During
the colder months, it is particularly difficult for birds to find natural sources of water. An abundance
of birdbaths and heaters is readily available in every style imaginable--from free-standing pedestals to
deck mounts and ground levels from heated to unheated. If you already own a birdbath, your retailer can advise
you as to whether or not your current bath is suitable for a plug-in heater.
Enjoy your backyard birds.
SHARE HOLIDAY JOY WITH YOUR BIRDS
Create bird-edible treats
Provide ice-free water
More winter tips...
Decorate a Snowman for the birds this year!
Try dried plums for the eyes, a carrot nose, walnuts for the
smile, string cranberries for a scarf and half-apple buttons to finish him off. Hide birdseed in the folds
of his hat and sprinkle more on the ground around him.
Start a New Tradition, decorate your discarded holiday tree
for the songbirds. Invite your friends and
neighbors. Ask them to bring a treat for the tree. Pinecones slathered with peanut butter, chunks of suet
strung on a cord, and garland of popcorn are just a few ideas.
Create an edible swag -- Gather a bundle of dried
seed-bearing grasses, sunflower heads, indian corn and
pepper berries together with florist wire. Hang it anywhere your birds will find it.
Serve ice-free water -- Freezing temperatures make it
difficult for birds to find water for drinking and
bathing. Provide a fresh, ice-free water source all winter long by installing a heated birdbath, or add
an inexpensive heater to your existing bath. Ask your retailer for suggestions.
Winter Survival Tips
Locate a brush pile, or discarded holiday tree 10-15 feet from your birdfeeders to provide shelter in
inclement weather. Birds will find refuge from bitter winds, sleet and snow. Stack branches crosswise
to create air spaces. Consider relocating feeders to more protected areas, away from wind yet still in
the sun.
Suet is a great energy boost in cold weather. You may want to hang several suet feeders to keep your
birds healthy. Check with your retailer for ideas on suet feeder styles and suet flavors.
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
April 2005
It's late spring and birds are busy! Courting, nesting and fledgling
activities are underway. And the hummingbirds are returning! In this issue:
- What food is crucial for nesting birds?
- How crushed eggshells benefit birds two ways
- What you can do now to have hummingbirds all summer
Birdfeeding Tips:
Insects make up virtually the entire diet of all nesting songbirds. However, depending on the weather in your
area, they may not be readily available or abundant. Adult birds often find it difficult to find sources of insects
to feed the family. You can lend a hand by offering live Mealworms -- a high-protein feast! Ask your retailer for
more information.
Crushed eggshells provide birds with extra calcium for producing eggs. When added to their regular seed,
eggshells also work like grit helping birds to grind up their food. It's easy to prepare eggshells: Rinse with
water and bake in a 250 degree oven until dry. Crumble and sprinkle on a platform feeder, a flat rock or mix with
your regular seed.
Hummingbirds will return to the same feeder year after year -- so be sure to place your feeder in the same
location. If you've tried to attract hummers -- without success -- give this idea a try: Hang a basket of flowers
for hummers! Fill with vibrant red, orange and pink flowers such as impatiens, petunias and snapdragons. Then place
a Hummingbird Feeder filled with fresh nectar close to your flower basket. Once hummers find your feeder -- they
are hooked!
