Birding and Bird Photography

This is too much fun seeing the birds up close like this. This next set is the local bully.

 

What a great way to witness birds alittle differently!

 

Apparently there’s an outbreak of salmonellosis in my local wild bird population so we’ve been asked to either put away backyard feeders until February or empty and clean them in a bleach solution regularly, and limit the number of feeders to keep birds of congregating. Bummer.

 

Your suppose to clean them seasonally as a best practice. Feeders are sources for spreading other stuff like conjunctivitis.

 

I like the ones that you hang and can move around to inspect, screw using ladders. I can get a photo if anyone is interested.

They are also more protected from predators.

 

Very good idea! Love it!

 

I sure want to respond....

 

Ordinarily yeah, but local Audubon and state fish & wildlife are suggesting weekly cleanings at the moment.

 

errrr... "Birds of a Feather" ?

 

I don't use a feeder, just place piles of shelled sunflower seeds on the concrete patio. This way nothing is wasted and nothing to clean. I'll place several piles out to avoid bickering but it still happens.

I also put out dried meal worms for the birds that won't eat seed but have found that most birds will eat the shelled sunflower seed, even see a robin eating it on occasion.

 

Those are some really amazing pictures. And Mockingbirds aren't bullies...they just wake up on the wrong side of the bed every morning...lol

 

Housed built. next is to find a spot for them

 

Looks great.

This is how we do it out here for larger programs. It allows you to hang them numerous places, bring them down to inspect or clean, prevents having to nail into trees, and protects them from larger predators.


You'd just need to twist together some thick metal wire, bend it into a hook, and attach to the top. Then get a painter pole and add a hook.

Edit: here is a resource

http://www.nestboxbuilder.com/nestbox-article-hanging-nestboxes.html

 

I like the idea but don’t have low hanging branches I could reach without a 20’ pole or more.

 

Ha, I’ve been building houses as well, mostly for wrens.

Couple of these to match the feeder I did awhile back.

 

And today I’ve been working on these.



In the middle of “staining/aging” the lumber parts with a mix of steel wool soaked in vinegar. Supposedly it turns a grey weathered color? I’ll let you know.

 

Instead of guess the bird, guess the age:



Shot this pic with my iPhone, through my binoculars.

 

Very creative!

 

Pretty excited for this guy the other day, very common down south, but only one or two vagrants show up in my county every year or so (way north of their range).

 

Scarlet Tanager?