Feeding the Birds

ossian said:
In Scotland we are quite lucky as we still have large areas of the country populated by reds. The greys have colonised the central and southern part of Scotland, but the more remote parts of the South, West and the Highlands have retained the reds. They are monitored closely to ensure that the reds survive, so there is hope for them.

A couple of years back, I was walking after a storm. The wind was still very strong and close to my home I saw an albino squirrel. It sat on a fence and let me get quite close to it. Eventually it got bored of me and scampered along the fence and up into a tree. I have never seen another albino. But we do get the occasional blacks. But I have not seen them.
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I have been known to swerve the car or slam on the brakes when a red squirrel ran in front of the car. Fortunately no accidents resulted.
 

We used to have bird feeders years ago, but no longer have them. Our yard has pine and spruce trees and we've had fruit trees in the past, currently just a pear. The birds used to pick our cherry tree bare, even when we tried to net it, they'd make their way inside the netting.

The birds are very much at home in our yard, from the smallest ones to even red tailed hawks. There are nests all over the place and we really enjoy watching the birds every day. No shortage of squirrels too, and often the larger birds, like Magpies, will aggressively chase them from their nests.

I love the photos here, thanks to all of you who posted.....beautiful. :)


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I do have a bird feeder but I feel some guilt filling it. Several of our cats are outside during the day...I don't want the poor birdies to be sitting ducks.
 

SeaBreeze said:
We used to have bird feeders years ago, but no longer have them. Our yard has pine and spruce trees and we've had fruit trees in the past, currently just a pear. The birds used to pick our cherry tree bare, even when we tried to net it, they'd make their way inside the netting.

The birds are very much at home in our yard, from the smallest ones to even red tailed hawks. There are nests all over the place and we really enjoy watching the birds every day. No shortage of squirrels too, and often the larger birds, like Magpies, will aggressively chase them from their nests.

I love the photos here, thanks to all of you who posted.....beautiful. :)
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That is a great pic of the hawk. We dont have those here, but it may be similar to our sparrowhawks.
 
fureverywhere said:
I do have a bird feeder but I feel some guilt filling it. Several of our cats are outside during the day...I don't want the poor birdies to be sitting ducks.
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Oh dear! That is a bit of a problem! And if you place them up high, the poor cats will feel like you are teasing them. :(
 
I knew that I had a pic of our sparrowhawk lurking around somewhere. Here he is having his 'dinner'. :eek:ops1:

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Not a great pic but then he was not likely to hang around long enough to pose for me.
 
Thank you all for your lovely pictures.
I truly miss my birds, occasionally see cardinals, or blue jays
and I hear the gold finches, but we are not encouraged to
feed the birds here because of the sea gulls.
 
tortiecat said:
Thank you all for your lovely pictures.
I truly miss my birds, occasionally see cardinals, or blue jays
and I hear the gold finches, but we are not encouraged to
feed the birds here because of the sea gulls.
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You know, tortiecat, I noticed yesterday that the garden was full of pigeons waiting to feed from the food scattered by the smaller birds. A few years ago, we had a couple of collared doves and a woodpigeon in the garden. Now the pigeon numbers have increased considerably. Last year, I stopped feeding the birds for a short time because of the pigeons. I actually put together the hanging basket arrangement shown in the earlier pic mostly to keep the pigeons off the feeders. It did work, but they still come around and make such a mess of the patio, the gutters, etc. So, I am thinking that even this early in the spring, I will need to stop feeding the birds. The pigeons have already nested in trees in the garden, so it is a sure sign that they are beginning to colonise.

It is a shame as the smaller birds will simply move to where they will get food. :(
 
We rarely see a pigeon in the yard, but the Morning Doves are always here and can dominate a feeder for long stretches. I sometimes chase them off.
 
I stopped buying a seed mix that contained cracked corn as I read that was a favourite of the mourning doves. They still come anyway and sift through the seed scattering it all over in the hopes of finding something to their liking.

Oh well, the juncos are ground feeders and are happy to dine on what the doves throw overboard.

Good with the bad.
 
Redd said:
I stopped buying a seed mix that contained cracked corn as I read that was a favourite of the mourning doves. They still come anyway and sift through the seed scattering it all over in the hopes of finding something to their liking.

Oh well, the juncos are ground feeders and are happy to dine on what the doves throw overboard.

Good with the bad.
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The doves are huge fans of safflower seeds and will sit on the feeder gorging themselves. You're right about seed mixes with cracked corn. I stay away from those. Mostly I use sunflower seeds/hearts, safflower (the cardinals love it) and thistle seed for the finches. Bark butter or raw suet for the woodpeckers.
 
We do not have any feeders out, but the wife does toss out bread for the birds and bunnies..

I also provided free housing for the birds..
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Such beautiful birds Bob. While out with a friend, I recently saw the first bluebirds I have seen in twenty five years. Reintroduced to their native habitat of Gary Oaks, here on the island, several years ago, they appear to be thriving. As are our bees!
 
Shalimar said:
Such beautiful birds Bob. While out with a friend, I recently saw the first bluebirds I have seen in twenty five years. Reintroduced to their native habitat of Gary Oaks, here on the island, several years ago, they appear to be thriving. As are our bees!
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Thanks Shalimar. Yesterday on a walk in a state forest on the outskirts of a marsh, I saw my first bluebird in many years. It was gorgeous. Sadly, he flitted away before I could get my camera out.
 
I did not take this shot, but was excited to see this bird on my feeder today. A red breasted Grosbeak. Only the 2nd time I've seen one visiting my feeders. He's been here twice, so hope he'll stick around this season.
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I have had the Grosbeaks occasionally, they seem to move on but are a treat to observe when they are here.

Had a pair of downy's at the feeder today and then another male swooped in and all h_ll broke loose. Territory is mine said the resident pair.

Also a Flicker on the lawn, I love their call, seems almost like they are laughing.
 
We don't have Grosbeaks here. They look a bit like our Goldfinches but maybe larger. Powerful beak tho. That will rip thru seed in no time.
 
Was also pleased to see a Baltimore Oriole around the yard this morning. Beautiful birds.
 

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