Comments on: Our Friendly Feathered Friends

By: Lina-EPA

Lina-EPA — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:02:48 +0000

Thanks for the nice tips, Rick

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:05:30 +0000

I love to feed the birds in my yard. Thistle bags are great for small birds, just be sure not to let them get wet. Actually that goes for all bird seed, but a hanging bag is so much more vulnerable than a covered seed feeder.

A nice pair of low-power binoculars is really enjoyable. 6x, wide angle porro-prism is my favorite – wide bright field of view, which makes shaking hands less of a problem, and they can focus on birds as close as 15 feet or so away. Great for kids and those who wear glasses.

Beware of cats. They take a terrible toll. I actually don’t feed the birds during nesting season (sadly) because neighborhood cats invariably kill the fledglings, and it’s so sad to find them.

At the very least, don’t feed where cats can hide close to feeding birds.

For hummingbirds, plant some trumpet vine. It’s cheap, fun , pretty and grows like a weed. Feeders with sugar water solutions can be bad for hummers.

Enjoy your hobby!

By: Lina

Lina — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:56:19 +0000

Thanks for your comments.

I’ll keep you updated.

Thanks for all the tips.

Lina

By: Piter Cina

Piter Cina — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:43:04 +0000

The good news is that we can all do something to help our feathered friends:

Set up a bird monitoring program
Create or improve a bird habitat
Keep your cat inside–bells and de-clawing are largely ineffective
Reduce and avoid pesticide use in your yard
Drink bird-friendly, shade-grown coffee
Use “green” paper products to conserve forest habitat

Thanks,

By: Shankar Banjara

Shankar Banjara — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 03:29:26 +0000

Wow birds are our good friend! It is nice to see them flying & resting on trees. Bird watching is fun.

By: MelanieCE

MelanieCE — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:19:56 +0000

My kids and I make feeders out of pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed every winter. The pine cones are retrieved from our yard and baked in a low heat oven so they open fully. We then smother them in peanut butter and coat in bird seed. Both of my girls and all of the kids from our church love this actiity and we have the happiest birds in the neighborhood!

By: Lina-EPA

Lina-EPA — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 04:14:52 +0000

Heather, yes, I have one. Looking forward to seeing the hummingbirds and goldfinches in the summer.
Thanks for your comments

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:47:06 +0000

I wish you luck with deterring the squirrels. My mom went as far as hanging her bird feeder from a thin rope so that the squirrels could not get to it, but one still managed to jump on the feeder. She has gone to a feeder that has mesh around the bird feed where the birds still can get to it, but the squirrels can not. I have hummingbird feeders myself and they are great and go along well with neighboring flowers. Just remember when placing them, that the ants love sugar too. Happy feeding!

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:29:28 +0000

Make sure you buy a hummingbird feeder too! There’s nothing like seeing a hummingbird-up close flapping it’s wings. As I’m sure you know, the solution is just sugar water so it’s super easy. You even hang the feeder on an awning near a window.

By: Master Melvin M. Lusterio

Master Melvin M. Lusterio — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:40:33 +0000

The Good Force be with you!

Excellent, Lina! Yes, birds are our good friend! It is nice to see them flying & resting on trees. Bird watching is fun. It is good for our heart.

Live forever & prosper!