Just came back from a friends house In Ewing and she has our goldfinches!
Her son said to use black oiled sunflower seeds. So I put another feeder up as soon as I got home with the sunflower seeds....we'll see what happens
Also saw a number of woodpeckers including a red bellied
MidAtlantic bird watching for spring
Truth of all that is a good cover and a decent price on lamination , I have made a resource book before not bad , used it for my garden refresher ,
Last night I had to read how to do zinnia seeds , lets see ,, after I have been growing them for about 13 years here , Sometimes I go to do something and "poof " The info didn;t stay where my memory is ,,
I treid to get a pic of a couple Cardinals yesterday to no avail , they are moving and flitering about pretty good about now
This message was edited Apr 17, 2013 12:36 PM
I gad a couple bright yellow G-Finches on my feeder--about 3-4 days ago.
Like the males were chowing down.
No one since that day......Hmmm..
I now have a squirrel eating on the ground with all the blackbirds, cardinals, blue jays, sparrows, the purple finches are plentiful, my mockingbird is still here, waiting for the barn swallows, neighbor said he saw and I have not yet seen ours. Gotta go. Bedtime and I am tired. Happy Birding.
I was listening to an unusual bird song in the crabapple tree, no way I'd find the bird among all the flowers...and I saw a bluebird fly up from my flowerbed!! Be still my heart!
LOL!!! I love that spider goblin !!! ROFL!!!!
Well, spring's finally here, most definitely. I found the proof yesterday evening in our most-used room in the house. It took me FOREVER to catch the radiant little male ruby-throated hummingbird and put him back outdoors where he belonged. He was tinier than my thumb, and made the most heart-wrenching little cries while I had him nestled in my hand! Filled & put out my new hummie feeder last night, to deter him from the (most always open) door to the deck, my favorite go-to location four seasons of the year. (If I close the door behind me, one of the dogs claws the screen until I comply to his wishes to be with me.)
WOw Barb birds feel so fragile in the hand, I can't imagine a hummingbird.
Oh my goodness, Sally, it was almost ethereal! We've had that happen a couple of times over the years, and I just never get enough of the experience! You feel the little heart beating, sometimes see the little tongue darting out. It is almost as if you're holding a cotton fluff, it's so tiny and fragile!
The poor little thing, I'd say it was in here for close to an hour. That's when Chloe had started barking, still in the house, which is not usual for her. Zeus left me to come check on Chloe, but I didn't think anything further when they stopped. By the time I came back inside, the poor baby was obviously close to exhaustion, which was probably good. Otherwise, it would have taken so much longer to catch.
Oh how sweet, what a unique experience. We just saw a pair of gold finches.
How cool! Glad you were able to catch him and get him back outside, poor little guy
I would wet my britches if I could just see one up close, much less touch one. Oh Lordie.
Coleup, that Burgess book looks great. Thanks for the recommendation! I'll try and figure out which ones on Amazon/Ebay have the color illustrations and are not insanely priced.
JBerger, I bought a pack of small hummingbird feeders from Lowe's year before last. http://www.lowes.com/pd_147614-1128-100080626_0__?productId=3693548&Ntt=hummingbird+feeders&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dhummingbird%2Bfeeders&facetInfo=
They come three to a pack for under $5, and have little stakes to put them in containers or hanging baskets. Grab a pack, and place them in your favorite resting place outside. The little characters will soon become used to your presence, and will flit back and forth so very closely to you it's amazing! I love to sit out on the deck and watch their antics. When I'm wearing bright colors, as they are such curious little things, often they hover right in front of my face to check things out! They are such awesome creations to behold! This morning I've been watching a male ruby-throated hummie chasing the sparrows, grosebeaks, goldfinches, and even honking big mockingbirds! I'm wondering if there's a nest close by already, he's so valiant in his chases!
Momma poppa and baby???? sure grew fast!!!!
Jumping up and down in excitement......I have a female yellow finch on the feeder!!!!!!
YAY!!!!
YAY!!!
Woohoo!!!!!
Where is that nest, Jen?
Under the deck, they have 1 there every year
Those doves are really very pretty birds if you look close. The hummer babies must be even smaller than a parrotlet baby. They are about the size of a bean when they hatch. I would love to see a hummer nest and chicks. Being a former breeder of small birds I have this complete love of the tiny creatures when they are first born because they so need everything. They have no way of surviving without the help of their parents or the breeder. To me it is a thrill to be able to handfeed them and watch them grow into real live birds. :0 ♥
I have a friend who grooms my birds every six to 8 weeks and she has a friend who has a singing canary (not all canaries sing) she needs to find a home for. Yes, I said OK bring it here. I am so excited because I have always had a canary and when I moved here the move was too much for my red factor Frankie or he got a draft, but I found him dead on the bottom of the cage one morning not long after the move. I am really excited to have this new member of the family and hopefully he will arrive next week. I will be able to hear the songs when the sun comes up instead of the screams of the amazon. Hopefully. The other birds love the songs also. They try and join in but of course they do not have tunes, except the Amazon and he sings Mary had a little lamb when he feels like it. The cockatiel I babysit for whistles the Marine Corp Hymn. This place is a riot when they all get going. But they are my birds and I love them.
I have no idea what the new member of the flock looks like nor do I know his name. Will let you know when I get him.
JB---
A few years back, there was a DG person who documented and photographed nestlings of a Hummingbird
from hatching to fledging.
Those who know how to search may be able to find this Post.....Yoooo-Hooo---coleup!!!
Gita
Oh I remember that....durn it , who was that? Gita, you have been quiet. Are you still recovering from this past week of emotions with the bombing in Mass and the fires in Texas?
I found a new face this morning out back at one of the feeders. I've never seen this bird before; it was so striking. Took me a half hour to discover my new friend is a rose-breasted grosbeak. Fascinating to me! I wish it wasn't through the screen, but there ya go.
This message was edited Apr 20, 2013 12:42 PM
How neat is that??????I have my female goldfinch back for lunch today. I am keeping my fingers crossed on this one.
JB--
No--not Boston--bizarre as all that was---I am just tired....
I am "recovering" from getting up early a few days in a row---being on my feet too much--
all that running around to set up for the Workshop Thursday PM--and then running
around to put all the display plants and products back where they belong...
Standing there for almost 2 hours talking and showing the "how-to"...
It is tiring both mentally and physically....
Also--did a thorough cleaning of my bedroom--all the closets and shoes, etc...that really wore me out.
I am sitting here and can hardly keep my eyes open...and it is only 7PM...
Here's a couple pics from the "Do it Herself" workshop at HD. "GARDENING IN SMALL SPACES"
I did a big Window Box with vegies and Herbs--and the huge pot with all kinds of flowers.
When that starts to grow out a bit--I will take a picture....
Was hoping for a better attendance--started out with just one lady (pink top)--then a second one came-
then the Guy came--then way later--like an hour late--another couple came.
Had ONLY a total of 6 people.
I tell you--I worked so hard to get ready--this kind of an attendance just kills the whole spirut for me.
We were handing out flyers all week. This Workshop has been on TV in their usual ads--We had posters all over--
and what do i get? 6 people.....That is for the BIRDS!!! (just to make this on-topic.....ahem.....)..
I had a good time--and i think I did really well....Not my first time holding a Clinic/Workshop.
Anything that has to do with gardening--they 'hit" on me....My claim to Fame...
It's nice to know I am good for something.............................:o)
Gita
Gita, that's a shame , they don't know what t thye missed with you as teacher.
Barb- just today I saw an update from Cornell Birds- somehow I have gotten friended by them Cornell Birds site and now am getting things- anyhoo it was announcing that ROse Breasted Grosbeaks are back in the area.
Gitia, I am not sure what is going on except I do know it is not just YOU who is having poor attendance and sales from all your effort. This is the first year in almost 10 that I have had my daffodils on sale at the end of the lane and wholesale. I sold NONE wholesale and the past 5 days I sold "ZIP". I told my SIL to put the stand away. I am not gong to bust my hump early mornings to cut and bunch flowers only to have to give them away or throw them away at the end of the day. I will let them die in the field and enjoy their beauty from my deck. Try again next year. I am not at all sure the bombing in Boston kept most of my customers inside glued to the TV as I was. What will be will be and so life goes on.
That incident affected all Americans and especially those of us so close to the Military Base which I am sure was on high alert as was our State.
'Glad you are ok and all is well with you all. Off to mow grass for the first time this year. JB
Like it seems everywhere buisiness is slow , and the cut lawn will wait for comfortable day here .
I do however have the mower out storage , chores and more!
As many of you , I have seen these tragedies many times , It never does make any more sense than the first .. To many people raised to be revolutionaries and innocence suffers..
Gita , that was great looking display ,your efforts there are still a tribute to your ability and caring , about what you do and the people you serve ..
JB---I like the new name you chose for me-----Gitia.......:o)
OOOPS....did not see that, sorry.
Hi Ju, good to see you. Nice to know you are still up and running and planting. The spiders you sent look super great and I do thank you again. Between you and Gita, I do pretty good.
☺
The little female goldfinch is here again today and she looks like she plans to stay. I wonder where her mate is?
Four of us were mowing the grass and tree fields today. I burned up the belts on two of the tractor mowers so I had to quit. They just finished and all 5 acres are looking great. Three of us mowed and one weedwacked and sprayed. Sunday around here is surely not a day of rest. Especially if the sun comes out and there is no rain. We had frost last night and I was concerned about the plants that I had out but they were ok except for the gardenias. Oh well. The birds are eating so much food I can no idea where they put it. Must clean out the birdbath too. I had best get moving. Nice to talk to you all. Be good and happy birding.
I am still waiting to see the barn swallows. Where are they? Usually when we mow if they are here, they follow us and eat the bugs on the fly...really interesting how they do that. They swoop down so close to the tractor you duck so they do not hit you. LOL. Fast as lightening.
U{DATE ON SWALLOWS:
The Barnswallows arrived about 4PM...they were so funny swooping all around us like they were saying "here we are" or "better late than never".....they went right into the little barn where they have one entire area full of nests from last year. The poop is unbelievable but they are happy and safe so that is all that matters.
Also, while we were mowing grass among the Christmas Trees, the Hawk was sitting on the ground between the trees eating baby rabbits. I wanted to scream and my daughter tried to get it to fly and leave the bunnies to run away, but he would not budge until she actually tried to run him over, then he took off and took the two babies with him. Oh sometimes I could just cry when babies are involved. The babies were crying..........:(.
Speaking of swallows....
Tree Swallows in love.... well, maybe....
Beautiful pics Karen,
haha Karen,,, tree swallows in NEGOTIATION haha
I think I have heard hawks in negotiation here. Or in migration discussing the neighborhood "SCREE...I don't know, I want more open space, let's keep looking"
House wren is certainly here, I hear him, big mouth he is.
Goldfinches have finally made an appearance here
They have found my house again, too. Finally put out the Hummer feeder so I will be looking for those soon.
Here he is!
handsome pose!
Wish I was a bit closer but I didn't want to scare him away