Owner: Backyard Birding URL:http://backyardbirdingblog.com Join Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 23:41:24 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: The great outdoors is sometimes a little far and a little difficult to navigate, especially with young children. Here, we bring a little of the great outdoors to you, in your own backyard. Just turn off the tv, look out the window, and enjoy the great bac Site statistics:Click here
Computer down 2007-08-30 13:20:59 This is a quick note to let you know that my computer has crashed. I am hoping all will be resolved this weekend and normal posting shall resume on Monday. If you have emailed me or left a comment, I will answer you this weekend from my parents’ computer.
Thank you and I hope to be back very soon!
Read more:Computer
My first look at birds in the Western Region 2007-08-29 00:09:21 For the past week, I have had the pleasure of exploring the heart of the Great Rocky Mountain Flyway. On Lookout Mountain, I saw my first scrub jay as it darted into a shrub. Later on the hike, I came across a small group of pygmy nuthatches scouring a pine tree looking for food. I was surprised at how bold they were, allowing me to come within several feet of them. The still mountain air was alive with the call of birds I have never heard, and still have never seen.
The most impressive, however, were the ravens soaring over Pike’s Peak. Looking down from the summit, we watched the birds circle, thousands of feet above the earth. Rising on currents of air, they hovered and glided through the air.
It is interesting being in a different region. I have lived my entire life in the Eastern Region and while I may not be able to identify great numbers of birds even near my home, they are familiar to me. Here, everything is new. The calls from the tops of trees are different, an Read more:Western
Who should pay for conservation efforts? 2007-08-28 04:00:14 Hunters and fishermen played a vital role in preserving our natural wildlife over 100 years ago.
Led by fellow sportsman President Theodore Roosevelt, these early conservationists called for the first laws restricting the commercial slaughter of wildlife. They urged sustainable use of fish and game, created hunting and fishing licenses, and lobbied for taxes on sporting equipment to provide funds for state conservation agencies. These actions were the foundation of the North American wildlife conservation model, a science-based, user-pay system that would foster the most dramatic conservation successes of all time. National Hunting and Fishing Day
Today, however, there are not nearly so many hunters and fishermen. Americans have turned to wildlife viewing, rather than wildlife hunting. These “non-consumptive” visitors come to public lands in increasing numbers to view the diverse wildlife, but often do not pay for the upkeep of these lands. Hunters and fishermen pay n
Our first birding hike and the Steller’s Jay 2007-09-20 21:16:05 Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to go on my first official birding hike. This is the habitat we explored:
A mixed forest, filled with ponderosa pine and aspen.
A mountain stream.
And a beautiful lake, nestled in a valley.
The habitat is very different from what I am familiar with here in Eastern Nebraska. While it isn’t exactly in my backyard, the best sighting of the day was a bird that can be attracted to feeders if you live within its habitat, the Steller’s Jay.
This raucous bird has the widest range of any North American jay, extending from southern Alaska, south to Central America and east to the Rocky Mountains, which is where we saw them. Once in awhile, they may be seen far from their home range, although no one really knows why. These adventurous birds tend to be younger.
They prefer forested areas. All three of the birds we saw were near the woods at about 7,000 feet.
If you live within the range of the Steller’s Jay, you will likely be
Benefits of birding 2007-09-20 03:25:24 It is interesting just how many people are involved in birdwatching in some manner. From setting up a basic feeder to joining the “600 Club,” it is a hobby for enthusiasts at all levels. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, 48.6 million Americans now include birding as one of their hobbies. One of the greatest attractions of this hobby is that little cost needs to be involved to get started. But that does not mean that people do not find a way to spend money.
Birders may not need expensive equipment, but they have money to spend. Americans spent $45 billion observing, feeding and photographing wildlife in 2006, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service survey. USA Today
Businesses and states are beginning to recognize the importance of this growing market and are catering directly to birders. Luckily, we seem to be leaving a favorable impression.
“…And they are a very thoughtful group that believes in leaving no trace, so they don’ Read more:Benefits
Basic feeder types 2007-09-19 06:00:09 There are essentially four basic feeder types
, with seemingly infinite variations of each.
The Platform Feeder,
As the name implies, is a simple platform which may be mounted on a pole, tree or even against a window. Other designs, hang from a poll or branch. The seed is highly visible to birds as they fly past since it is not hidden inside the feeder. This feeder offers a nice place for larger birds to feed. A large platform feeder will also allow you to see more of the birds’ natural social behaviors since the accommodate more birds at a time. The main drawback is that most platform feeders leave the seed exposed to rain and snow, allowing for spoilage.
The Hopper Feeder
This seems to be the standard in bird feeding. It has a closed hopper which holds seed, protecting it from the elements. A small seed tray offers seed to the birds. Just about any seed can be placed in the hopper. It accommodates small to medium sized birds well, although our grackles will eat from i Read more:Basic
Minimize the mess 2007-09-18 06:00:52 If you feed birds, you will have dropped seed decorating your lawn. This may even account for some stray, unplanned plantings throughout your yard. While some spillage is inevitable, there are steps you can take to minimize the mess.
Feed your birds the seeds they want.
Many of the cheaper commercial mixes are full of filler seeds such as wheat and red millet which song birds do not eat. Instead, they sweep the undesirable seed out of the way to get to their favorites. We have found that even offering mixes of seeds they do eat such as corn, millet and sunflower seeds causes this sweeping behavior as they select their preferred foods.
Use a dark ground cover.
The ground under our feeders is black from all the sunflower seed hulls and Nyjer seed. If our garden were covered with white gravel, this would be much more noticeable.
Select low growing ground cover near feeders and small bushes.
These plants will hide the spent seed, but not provide a hiding place for cats. Plants also m
Celebrating our founding with turkeys 2007-09-17 06:00:11 Today is Constitution Day and what better way to celebrate than with a story from the only one of our founding fathers to have signed all five of the documents which declared our independence from Britain?
January 26, 1784, Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to his daughter in response to the adoption of the Great Seal with a poorly drawn Bald Eagle as its centerpiece. He thought it looked more like a turkey. After essentially describing the Bald Eagle as an ignominious coward, perhaps more descriptive of the British than the American, he goes on to say,
I am, on this account, not displeased that the figure is not known as a bald eagle, but looks more like a turkey. For in truth, the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America. Eagles have been found in all countries, but the turkey was peculiar to ours; the first of the species seen in Europe, being brought to France by the Jesuits from Canada, and served up at the wedding table o
Offering egg shells 2007-09-14 06:00:51 Birds have no teeth, yet must somehow grind the food they eat for digestion. For this, they swallow grit which is stored in the crop. Birds scavenging along the edge of the road are frequently searching for grit. It is generally widely available in nature, but can be a little more difficult to find in the winter when the ground is covered with snow. Offering this necessary resource can make your feeding station more desirable to a greater diversity of bird species.
Grit can actually be purchased from a wildlife habitat store and of course there are special feeders designed just for holding it. Crushed oyster shells can also be purchased which have the added benefit of providing calcium to your birds.
There is another source, however, which is frequently overlooked: egg shells. Offering egg shells to your birds is easy and free. Just follow these simple steps:
1. Peel the inner membranes away from the inside of the shells.
2. Boil or bake to sanitize.
3. Crush into small, bir
The hummingbirds have arrived! 2007-09-13 01:00:51 For most feeder watchers in North America, the southward migration of the hummingbird is not so exciting as the northward migration. The numbers slowly dwindle until it becomes apparent that there are no more hummers taking advantage of the feeder and it is taken down. The migration can begin as early as July and last until November, making many unsure as to when they have indeed seen the last hummer of the season until it is already gone.
Here in Eastern Nebraska, however, this is an exciting time. Hummers do not generally nest in this area, but they do pass through while migrating. We get two chances a year to attract these sassy little birds to our yards: during the spring migration and during the fall migration.
And the hummingbird migration is upon us. Ruby throated hummingbirds have been sighted down at Pioneers Park, on the outskirts of the capitol. I have written previously about how to attract hummingbirds. I guess it is time to dust off my feeder and set it out with
Project FeederWatch, a citizen science project 2007-09-12 00:08:10 Project FeederWatch is a citizen science project that surveys birds that visit feeders in winter. When you register, you get a poster of the most common feeder birds to aid in identification, a booklet describing the count and how to attract birds and a nice calendar to keep track of count days. The data collected during this annual count is published in multiple journals and used by researchers to track the health of our feeder bird populations.
We learned a great deal from participating last year and plan to take part again this year. Not only is it great encouragement to take a few notes while watching your birds, you get to see the results that have been entered online for your state (or any other). It is interesting to see what birds are common in the state. Often, they are the same that are coming to your feeders, but not always.
Counts do not start until November, but FeederWatch will begin sending packets out this month. If this is something you are interested in, now i
The Bird Feeder Book, a review 2007-09-11 07:00:14
The first book I purchased about bird feeding was Stokes Birdfeeder Book : The Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and Understanding Your Feeder Birds by Donald and Lillian Stokes. I purchased it for 50 cents from a book sale at the library, but it has remained one of my favorites. It is short, written in a very conversational manner and contains a wealth of information for the new backyard birder.
It has the practical information that I was looking for when I first decided to set up our feeders, including a basic description of feeder types and the seed preferences of the birds I was most likely to attract. It goes over the basics of bird identification, and it was from this book that I learned to not reach for my field guide first upon encountering an unfamiliar bird. It also has a lot of basic information about the life stages of birds and the different behaviors you might notice.
Stokes Birdfeeder Bookhas everything you need to get started, and enough information to Read more:review
Feeder notes, September 22-27 2007-09-28 01:10:04 My husband captured the squirrel at the bird bath, on camera anyway. They are terribly cute, even if a tad expensive to feed. This one has a boisterous compadre missing most of its tail that frequents the feeders as well.
Our feeders are finally a flutter of activity again. We do not yet quite have so many birds as before our lengthy feeding break, but we do have regular visitors. There is the flock of sparrows which visits each morning and afternoon. Then there are the mourning doves, that energetic blue jay and a handful of house finches which normally come and go with the sparrows. Today, a male downy woodpecker made an appearance, as did our white breasted nuthatch. I am sincerely hoping that the goldfinches will soon return.
I need to get some more suet. We used to have so many woodpeckers visiting our yard it was amazing. They still come and work over the trees in our yard, and the down woodpecker still comes for the sunflower seeds, but I miss the Northern Flicker whi Read more:September
Off-season nesting boxes 2007-09-27 00:19:44 Mother Earth News has a good article on birdhouses posted on their website. The description of the birdhouse (complete with directions to make your own!) has everything I enjoy about backyard birding: it is simple and does not require an elaborate set up. Sure, you could purchase a birdhouse for $50 or more, paint it to match your house and complete with a welcome mat. If you are a serious woodworker, you can also find plans for a birdhouse which will challenge your skills and your tools. But if you want to use your saw and hammer to put something together with your children, the birds will not know the difference.
Why am I talking about nest boxes in the fall? While their main purpose may be fulfilled during the breeding season, nesting boxes can be important as roosting sites during harsh winter weather. These temporary shelters may then become a nest site in the spring.
If you are interested in making this addition to your backyard habitat, check out the article. The directi
Figuring out what birds are in your area 2007-09-26 01:50:16 There are approximately 100 species of birds in North America that can be attracted to feeders, some more readily than others. Of course, there are many more species may be attracted to the habitat you provide on your property and in your neighborhood. To see what birds are likely to be present in your area this winter, Project FeederWatch is a wonderful resource, even if you do not plan on joining.
From the Explore Data page, you have several interesting options. You can take a look at the species that citizen scientists reported in previous years in your area, take a look at the top 25 feeder birds for your area and more.
Knowing what is likely to be wintering in your area is a good first step to attracting and identifying the birds as they winter with you, or even just stop for a snack while passing through. If you would like to keep track of the birds you sight, try printing of one of these checklists for your family.
birding, birdwatching, backyard birding
Enjoying the raptor migration 2007-09-25 06:00:55 While some species of raptors can become a pest at feeders, they are amazing birds to watch. One of the most exhilarating experiences I have had with my backyard feeding station was the day a red tailed hawk inspected our yard. Each fall, millions of these magnificent birds migrate south and head through a narrow corridor in central Veracruz, Mexico. That, I am sure, is a truly amazing sight. I have read that it is like watching a river of hawks flying overhead as they make their way to their winter homes. I am sure that these pictures do the event little justice.
While nothing quite that amazing shall be occurring here in the United States, our raptors are readying themselves for this migration. In fact, according to the Hawk Migration Association of North America, the peak period for observing the fall migration is between September 20 and October 20. Check here for an interactive map which will help you find where a viewing site may be located in your state. Participating in
The great southward migration 2007-09-24 01:00:54 As many North American birds prepare to fly south for the winter, many species may be in your area for a short time that you are not normally able to see. Some may even stop at your feeders for some needed calories on this arduous flight. During migration, our birds stick to four main flyways which correspond fairly closely to major topographical features of North America: the Atlantic Flyway, the Mississippi Flyway, the Central Flyway and the Pacific Flyway.
Because the birds follow these features for the most part, you may notice some interesting things at this time of year. We used to live a bit south of the Missouri River and the geese in our area used the river as a sort of road to the Mississippi Flyway. So every fall we saw great flocks of geese heading north for the winter. They seemed confused to us, especially since we did not realize at the time they were flying to the Missouri to follow its course.
Watch your birds as the season changes. Some species will become sca
Our first birding hike and the Steller’s Jay 2007-09-20 21:16:05 Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to go on my first official birding hike. This is the habitat we explored:
A mixed forest, filled with ponderosa pine and aspen.
A mountain stream.
And a beautiful lake, nestled in a valley.
The habitat is very different from what I am familiar with here in Eastern Nebraska. While it isn’t exactly in my backyard, the best sighting of the day was a bird that can be attracted to feeders if you live within its habitat, the Steller’s Jay.
This raucous bird has the widest range of any North American jay, extending from southern Alaska, south to Central America and east to the Rocky Mountains, which is where we saw them. Once in awhile, they may be seen far from their home range, although no one really knows why. These adventurous birds tend to be younger.
They prefer forested areas. All three of the birds we saw were near the woods at about 7,000 feet.
If you live within the range of the Steller’s Jay, you will likely be
Benefits of birding 2007-09-20 03:25:24 It is interesting just how many people are involved in birdwatching in some manner. From setting up a basic feeder to joining the “600 Club,” it is a hobby for enthusiasts at all levels. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, 48.6 million Americans now include birding as one of their hobbies. One of the greatest attractions of this hobby is that little cost needs to be involved to get started. But that does not mean that people do not find a way to spend money.
Birders may not need expensive equipment, but they have money to spend. Americans spent $45 billion observing, feeding and photographing wildlife in 2006, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service survey. USA Today
Businesses and states are beginning to recognize the importance of this growing market and are catering directly to birders. Luckily, we seem to be leaving a favorable impression.
“…And they are a very thoughtful group that believes in leaving no trace, so they don’ Read more:Benefits
Basic feeder types 2007-09-19 06:00:09 There are essentially four basic feeder types
, with seemingly infinite variations of each.
The Platform Feeder,
As the name implies, is a simple platform which may be mounted on a pole, tree or even against a window. Other designs, hang from a poll or branch. The seed is highly visible to birds as they fly past since it is not hidden inside the feeder. This feeder offers a nice place for larger birds to feed. A large platform feeder will also allow you to see more of the birds’ natural social behaviors since the accommodate more birds at a time. The main drawback is that most platform feeders leave the seed exposed to rain and snow, allowing for spoilage.
The Hopper Feeder
This seems to be the standard in bird feeding. It has a closed hopper which holds seed, protecting it from the elements. A small seed tray offers seed to the birds. Just about any seed can be placed in the hopper. It accommodates small to medium sized birds well, although our grackles will eat from i Read more:Basic
Minimize the mess 2007-09-18 06:00:52 If you feed birds, you will have dropped seed decorating your lawn. This may even account for some stray, unplanned plantings throughout your yard. While some spillage is inevitable, there are steps you can take to minimize the mess.
Feed your birds the seeds they want.
Many of the cheaper commercial mixes are full of filler seeds such as wheat and red millet which song birds do not eat. Instead, they sweep the undesirable seed out of the way to get to their favorites. We have found that even offering mixes of seeds they do eat such as corn, millet and sunflower seeds causes this sweeping behavior as they select their preferred foods.
Use a dark ground cover.
The ground under our feeders is black from all the sunflower seed hulls and Nyjer seed. If our garden were covered with white gravel, this would be much more noticeable.
Select low growing ground cover near feeders and small bushes.
These plants will hide the spent seed, but not provide a hiding place for cats. Plants also m
Celebrating our founding with turkeys 2007-09-17 06:00:11 Today is Constitution Day and what better way to celebrate than with a story from the only one of our founding fathers to have signed all five of the documents which declared our independence from Britain?
January 26, 1784, Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to his daughter in response to the adoption of the Great Seal with a poorly drawn Bald Eagle as its centerpiece. He thought it looked more like a turkey. After essentially describing the Bald Eagle as an ignominious coward, perhaps more descriptive of the British than the American, he goes on to say,
I am, on this account, not displeased that the figure is not known as a bald eagle, but looks more like a turkey. For in truth, the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America. Eagles have been found in all countries, but the turkey was peculiar to ours; the first of the species seen in Europe, being brought to France by the Jesuits from Canada, and served up at the wedding table o
Offering your birds acorns 2007-10-03 03:30:15 If you have an oak tree in your yard or neighborhood, you have a ready source of much needed protein for your feeder birds this winter. Fill your pockets or a paper bag while out on a walk. Acorns can be collected and stored in a cool, dry place throughout the winter. Keep them in a rodent-proof container and you will have a very cost-effective, nutritional snack for your winter visitors.
Nuts have a high fat content, which is important to bids in the winter, especially insect eating birds which have a higher metabolism. Nuts, fruits, berries and oils all will attract a diverse number of birds to your feeders that may not normally come for the seed offered at most feeders. These specialty foods can be very expensive, however. Unless you have an oak tree handy, that is!
To prepare the acorns, simply place a handful in an old sock and tie it off. Hammer the acorns to crack the shell and break up the meat inside. You can place the acorns on a platform feeder for nut-loving birds s
A field trip to the Loess Hills 2007-10-01 22:12:57 Over the weekend, we drove out to the Loess Hills
for the grand opening of their new lodge and the annual Hawkwatch. The Loess Hills in Western Iowa consist of a geologically unique stretch of yellow loess which follows the Missouri River from Westfield, IA to Mound City, MO. The only other place in the world where this type of soil can be found compacted in this way is along the Yellow River in China. Loess soils are important to this region’s economy because it is a very fertile soil. It is soft to the touch and spongy. Even the packed soil on the trails has a certain give to it.
It is an important region to our birds for an interesting reason: the winds which blow along the central plains are forced upward by the hills, creating strong updrafts. Thus migrating raptors are able to ride these thermals for many miles while exerting very little energy.
This region was first described during the expedition of Lewis and Clark as “bald” due to the lack of trees.
Could we have seen Whooping Cranes? 2007-09-30 17:32:16 This is more a bit of roadside birding than backyard birding, but we saw something very exciting yesterday and I am wondering if it is at all possible that we actually saw what we think we saw.
Driving North, we saw a group of very large birds flying fairly low over the cornfield. I pulled off to get a closer look.
There were eight birds flying with their heads outstretched. Their bodies and necks were white, unlike the Sandhill Crane, which is originally what I thought they were (because of the way they were flying).
They were flying in circles and at first I thought they were getting ready to land, but they gradually rose and drifted off toward the Northeast, which is the direction the wind was blowing.
They had black primary feathers which were very distinct. I also caught a flash of red on the head, similar to the Sandhill Crane. But Sandhill Cranes are not white. These birds definitely were, and they were huge.
They reminded me of the storks we have at the zoo just because
Feeder notes, September 22-27 2007-09-28 01:10:04 My husband captured the squirrel at the bird bath, on camera anyway. They are terribly cute, even if a tad expensive to feed. This one has a boisterous compadre missing most of its tail that frequents the feeders as well.
Our feeders are finally a flutter of activity again. We do not yet quite have so many birds as before our lengthy feeding break, but we do have regular visitors. There is the flock of sparrows which visits each morning and afternoon. Then there are the mourning doves, that energetic blue jay and a handful of house finches which normally come and go with the sparrows. Today, a male downy woodpecker made an appearance, as did our white breasted nuthatch. I am sincerely hoping that the goldfinches will soon return.
I need to get some more suet. We used to have so many woodpeckers visiting our yard it was amazing. They still come and work over the trees in our yard, and the down woodpecker still comes for the sunflower seeds, but I miss the Northern Flicker whi Read more:September
Off-season nesting boxes 2007-09-27 00:19:44 Mother Earth News has a good article on birdhouses posted on their website. The description of the birdhouse (complete with directions to make your own!) has everything I enjoy about backyard birding: it is simple and does not require an elaborate set up. Sure, you could purchase a birdhouse for $50 or more, paint it to match your house and complete with a welcome mat. If you are a serious woodworker, you can also find plans for a birdhouse which will challenge your skills and your tools. But if you want to use your saw and hammer to put something together with your children, the birds will not know the difference.
Why am I talking about nest boxes in the fall? While their main purpose may be fulfilled during the breeding season, nesting boxes can be important as roosting sites during harsh winter weather. These temporary shelters may then become a nest site in the spring.
If you are interested in making this addition to your backyard habitat, check out the article. The directi
Figuring out what birds are in your area 2007-09-26 01:50:16 There are approximately 100 species of birds in North America that can be attracted to feeders, some more readily than others. Of course, there are many more species may be attracted to the habitat you provide on your property and in your neighborhood. To see what birds are likely to be present in your area this winter, Project FeederWatch is a wonderful resource, even if you do not plan on joining.
From the Explore Data page, you have several interesting options. You can take a look at the species that citizen scientists reported in previous years in your area, take a look at the top 25 feeder birds for your area and more.
Knowing what is likely to be wintering in your area is a good first step to attracting and identifying the birds as they winter with you, or even just stop for a snack while passing through. If you would like to keep track of the birds you sight, try printing of one of these checklists for your family.
birding, birdwatching, backyard birding
Enjoying the raptor migration 2007-09-25 06:00:55 While some species of raptors can become a pest at feeders, they are amazing birds to watch. One of the most exhilarating experiences I have had with my backyard feeding station was the day a red tailed hawk inspected our yard. Each fall, millions of these magnificent birds migrate south and head through a narrow corridor in central Veracruz, Mexico. That, I am sure, is a truly amazing sight. I have read that it is like watching a river of hawks flying overhead as they make their way to their winter homes. I am sure that these pictures do the event little justice.
While nothing quite that amazing shall be occurring here in the United States, our raptors are readying themselves for this migration. In fact, according to the Hawk Migration Association of North America, the peak period for observing the fall migration is between September 20 and October 20. Check here for an interactive map which will help you find where a viewing site may be located in your state. Participating in
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