Happy New Year/A First Look at the 2015 Seed Catalogs

Welcome back and thanks again for reading and following my blog during the past year.  Yes, it's been almost a year since I started posting!  I have enjoyed working on and sharing my blog and hope to continue into the future.

It's hard to believe, but 2014 is coming to a close as I write this post.  I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year, and to share with you some of the seed catalogs I have received.

First, a nice photo I took today:

Dark-Eyed Junco

As the winter weather settles in, it is the time of the year for seed catalogs!  I have received quite a few already, and have started looking through them in preparation for the upcoming season.  Below are the ones I have received to date.  Most of the catalogs are familiar, however I have received a few different ones this year, notably R. H. Shumway's and Totally Tomatoes.  In the coming weeks, I will be posting about the yearly process of deciding what to grow in the garden.

Until next time.  Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays/Enjoy the Bird Photos

Welcome back.  My last three posts have provided you with ample information regarding the choice of bird feeders, bird food, and feeder location.  Hopefully you've had a chance to set up a bird feeder(s) in your yard and are enjoying the wonderful hobby of bird watching.

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

With the holidays upon us and knowing how busy we all are, I decided to take a break and post just photos this week.  So sit back, relax, grab the binoculars, and enjoy.

American Tree Sparrow/Northern Cardinal

White-Breasted Nuthatch

American Goldfinches

European Starlings

House Finch

Until next time.

Bird Feeder Placement

Welcome back, I hope your bird feeding/watching season is well underway.

First, enjoy a nice photo of a blue jay at my feeder last weekend:

In my last two previous posts, I covered the different types of bird feeders (http://dansgardening.blogspot.com/2014/11/exploring-different-types-of-bird.html) and bird food (http://dansgardening.blogspot.com/2014/12/what-to-feed-birdsmore-bird-photos.html.)

Now that I have given you information on the different types of feeders and bird foods, you may be wondering what feeder location(s) would be best to attract birds to your yard.

The first thing to do is to establish an area in your yard that you want to become a focus zone for watching birds.  It is best to choose this area based on a place inside your home from which you want to primarily watch the birds.  You will want to pick an area that has good visibility from inside your home.

Once you have determined an area in your yard, the key is to locate the feeder(s) to ensure the highest possible level of safety for the birds.

One of the biggest dangers to birds is windows. It’s hard to believe, but millions of birds are killed each year by striking windows.

Bird deaths from striking windows can be reduced by placing feeders within 3 feet or more than 30 feet from your windows. When feeders are less than 3 feet from your window, the birds cannot gain enough momentum when taking off from the feeder to harm them if they were to collide with your window.   A distance of more than 30 feet should allow them enough room to change their flight path to avoid a window.

Another danger to bird is cats.  The effects of cats and other predators can be reduced by placing feeders where there is cover within 10 feet or so.  Birds often will take seed from a feeder, then retreat to a shrub or tree to eat.  Birds love to hide in shrubbery, and they do so for good reason.  In the northeast, evergreen shrubs work the best since they provide protection even in the winter months.    

Providing a water source will also attract birds.  Of course, in this area of the country it will require a heater to prevent it from freezing.  Birds will usually be able to find other sources of water, such as dripping icicles.

When considering the proper height of your feeder, a good rule of thumb is hanging or pole mounting the feeder 5 to 8 feet off the ground.  Hanging in a tree or grape vine also works, but these locations will be more susceptible to squirrels.

Squirrels can prevent a huge challenge,  It is very difficult to keep them from your feeder,  Placing a baffle above or below the feeder may help (see photos below).  Some feeders now have weight activated perches that prevent seed from dispensing when a squirrel is sitting on the perch.  You can even purchase a hot pepper mixture to mix with the bird seed.  Supposedly this will deter the squirrels, however, based on personal experience, this doesn't work too well.

Finally, a nice sunrise photo from our home last week.

Until next time.

What to Feed the Birds/More Bird Photos

Welcome back to all of my readers.

First, a couple of recent photos.  The first photo was captured by my son:

Male/Female Northern Cardinal Rare Joint Appearance 

Dark-Eyed Junco Braving The Thanksgiving Eve Storm 

In my last post on November 24, 2014 (http://dansgardening.blogspot.com/2014/11/exploring-different-types-of-bird.html), I described in detail the the most common types of bird feeders that are available, and which may be the best to use in your area and for your particular yard, etc.  Feeding and watching birds is very enjoyable and a great family activity.

This week I will try to decipher the many types of bird food available, and which are best for your area and particular birds that may be visiting your feeders.

I think the easiest way to approach this is to breakdown the individual ingredients of most bird food mixes.

Black-Oil Sunflower Seeds

The most common and arguably the most desired by many birds in North America are black-oil sunflower seeds.  These seeds are high in energy and are preferred by cardinals, chickadees, finches and sparrows.  The better (thus more expensive) blends of bird food normally have a higher concentration of these seeds.

Cracked Corn

This is a very common ingredient in bird food blends and is enjoyed by doves and sparrows.

Milo

This small round grain is one of the main ingredients in inexpensive seed mixes.  This seed is not a favorite of most Eastern birds, so it is best to avoid mixes with a high concentration of milo.

Millet

Millet is another small round grain also very common in bird seed blends,  It is somewhat more desired then milo, especially by ground foraging birds (juncos, sparrows, etc).

Nyger

Nyger seed is also referred to as thistle seed, although it does not come from the thistle plant.  This seed is imported from Africa and is a favorite mostly since it is loved by finches including the American Goldfinch, Common Redpoll, and Pine Siskin,  A specific type of feeder is required to dispense this seed (tube feeder with small ports or a sock feeder).

Hulled Sunflower Seeds

These are simply sunflower seeds without the shell and will reduce the waste under your feeder if that is a concern.  It also provides a no-work food for birds.

Safflower Seeds


Safflower seeds look like white sunflower seeds.  These are enjoyed by cardinals and normally found in the more expensive blends.  In most cases sunflower seeds will work just as well.

Peanuts

Birds in general love peanuts.  These can be fed in the shell or shelled.  Larger birds will carry off the whole peanuts, while smaller birds will prefer the shelled variety.  It is best to avoid salted peanuts or those with any coating or flavorings.

Suet

Most birds will enjoy suet, which is available in many varieties,  Raw suet can be purchased in the meat department of most grocery stores.  This can be feed by hanging outside in a mesh bag such as those in which onions are sold.  Processed suet cakes are readily available with many added goodies that birds love such as sunflower seeds, fruit, nuts, and more.  These cakes fit nicely into the wire cage suet feeders described in my last post.  When I first starting feeding and watching birds when I was 10 or 12 years old, I even made my own suet cakes by heating the raw suet and pouring it into molds with sunflower seeds. Even though it made a mess in my Mom's kitchen, I guess I was ahead of my time.    

Beef Suet

Suet Cake

So enjoy feeding and watching the birds.  Until next time.