Texas Gardening: Bird question but need local help, 0 by konkreteblond

konkreteblond wrote:
Ohhh, I love how you've all chimed in on my thread! :) Thanks for all the input and ideas! I do love the birdwatching forum but it's a little over my head at the moment, since I'm really just trying to attract the birds! LOL (their great pics and feeders intimidate me too) Great idea about using the board to attach the feeders. It's cheaper, and sturdier, than poles.

Thanks for the nice compliments! I do have tons of flowers and plenty of nectar for hummingbirds but have only had one or two the last few years. We can usually find them out when it's raining tho.

I've usually got a good supply of the little Mourning Doves. They are so sweet. I do keep 3 plant saucers down on the ground with water for them. (and the occassional toad) The sparrows will use that water too now but they used to always use the birdbath. I have no idea why it's not as popular because the tree has just gotten bigger and given them more protection. I have such limited space so I don't really want to plant evergreen shrubs, but might rethink it. I do have an Elderberry bush/tree that started out as a stick from Frostweed and it's now huge. I've never noticed any birds eating on it tho. I've got about 5 Chinese Fringe bushes in front of my bedroom windows and the little birds are always in it. They have a big Crepe Myrtle on the opposite side of the feeders so they have some shelter.

One main problem I had with bird feed last year were field mice! Nearby construction was driving all the mice to my yard so I had to stop feeding them for a season and let them fend for themselves. I've also had rats run along the fence and get in a feeder that used to be hanging on a post. (I've seen droppings where they're getting behind my huge passionvine now) I think the rats live under neighboring storage buildings too. So, I'm always leary of too much stuff on the ground.

And someone also mentioned hawks. Yep, got those! Every year they come, and are welcome to eat mice and rats! Just about a week ago I saw something go by my window and looked out to find this Sharp-shinned hawk sitting on a cut-back Brugs. (pardon my compost pile/mess)

Keep the ideas coming!