You Know Your a Wild Bird Nut when.....

in the mornings the neighbors will see you in the backyard wearing just your old pajamas and a sweat jacket, walking along all limbs in slow motion carrying your camera calling out strange sounds like chick-a dee-dee ,fee-bee-bee or Tsee- tsi- tsit.

Meanwhile the DH stands on the porch watching you with a bewildered look on his face slowly shaking his head from side to side. :-)

Please share your story.

Pelle

You know you're a bird nut when you hear a woodpecker but can't find it and go around your yard putting your ear up next to a tree to find what tree he... or she.... is in. Once you locate the tree the pecking is coming from, you get your binoculars to get a closer look at what's making the noise! Brings a new meaning to the word "tree hugger!"

LOL, good one Judy! Thank You!

Good ones, Pelle & Judy! Pelle, I'm that way with my brugmansias -- I'll go outside at dawn or at night in my robe to smell the blooms.

Ok. You know you've become a birder when you think about your tax refund and what kind of trees and shrubs you want to buy to attract more birds to your yard. Chokecherry would be at the top of my list.

Also, you know you've become a birder when you are dismayed to find something (or someone) has completely emptied out the tray bird feeder while you were away at work.

This is scary to me since I just started this a few months ago!!

You know your a bird nut, when your only Yard decor are bird feeders, back and front, and make more than one big batches of suet, to fill some up. Then go out in your Jammies to fight with the Starlings, so they'd leave the suet alone.

You know you're a bird nut when you walk s-l-o-w-l-y inside your own house carrying your camera just in case you can get a pic thru the window! I even try to wash the dishes "quietly" so I don't scare the birds!

You are addicted when you get up at the crack of dawn and sit quietly inside your car just so you can see who shows up first!

You know you're a bird nut when you stock up on 50 pound bags of bird seed before a surgery, just to make sure you don't run out during recovery. Also when you actively research the cheapest seed suppliers in town, just so you can justify buying more bird stuff than you can possibly manage to use.

Probably the large plastic storage bins with seed mixes to attract widest variety are a clue, too. Not to mention too much bird art inside the house. And frantically yelling at your best friend not to let the cat out on the deck, as he WILL CATCH A BIRD if he gets on that deck. Of course, another sign is the cat that makes a mad dash for the deck every time he hears the sliding glass door open, all the better if it's the unitiated doing the opening...he knows it's a lost cause with me, as I've been awed but highly traumatized by his fine hunting techniques. The only solace being that my other cat hunts leaves, and reaps high praise for the maple leaves. Poor Scout must be confused as to why he gets yelled at for catching a bird, while his brother Sky (the airhead) gets coos for stupid leaves.

Another danger sign: when your home is littered with binoculars, cameras, bird books, and a handy tripod in the corner, just in case.

But I already knew I was over the top. Just so happy to find these fun blogs on D'sG to help pass the time until I get to see the migrating birds in Spring.

I'm loving this topic, Pelle!
I'm with you on the storage bins, Coo!
My current storage bin inventory: Finch seed, crunch 'n nut, suet cakes, BOSS, no-waste mix, birders' blend mix, suet nuggets, squirrel mix, peanuts (both in and out of shell) ... let's see... there's also a hook that was on clearance so I just HAD to have it... you never know when you'll need it.
Another sign: When you have SEVERAL assorted things in your garbage with holes in them that you've attempted to craft into a homeade squirrel baffler. My current inventory: Trash can lid, milk jug, cookie sheet, PVC pipe.
And another one: When your dog responds to the phrase "Sophie, go get that squirrel off Mommy's feeder," with the same gusto as she does to the word "treat."
One more and I'm out: When you can bring yourself to stomach picking 5,000 clinging mealworms off of newspaper packaging because buying in bulk just makes more economical sense.
They're going to be fitting all of us for those nice white jackets that tie in the back soon if we're not careful.
Admitting you have a problem is the first step, guys!

This message was edited Jan 29, 2008 2:28 PM

Yes, the storage bins! I currently now have 2 filled to the brim. Considering buying a third....
And getting into a panic if they call for snow. Do I have enough Black Oil Sunflower? Thistle? Maybe I better run to WBU and get some more...
And when I fill my metal seed bucket to go to the feeders my dog jumps off the couch without me saying a word he knows its time to feed the birds!
Of course the pajama thing... we all look so atractive taking out the trash cans in our flannel pants and hoodie with matching pink crocs! (after feeding the birds)
We have conquered the homemade baffell issue at my house. Aluminum sheets cut with tin snips and screwed together.
But I am always on the lookout for something bigger and better! GM

LOL! Judy I just got 10,000 meal worms. I have 5,000 in cornmeal and natural Quaker Oats for feeding daily and the other 5,000 are in the refrigerator.

You know you're a bird nut when your DH asks what's in the white bag in the frig and you just casually answer "oh...just some worms..it's too warm in the garage."

This is a funny thread!!

Well at least some house work is being done Rose. Hee Hee Your not a complete bird nut yet.

Coo my cat must be related to yours, he does the dash for the door too. And plays with both leaves and birds a NO NO. And I have 2 large garbage can, full of different seeds.

Pelle I can't tell you how many time I've run out of the house for pictures in my jammies, did it again this morning and didn't even wear a sweater. DH had same reaction as your. :>)

Judy must try, listening to the tree next time I'm out there, I may find some different species of birds, I didn't know about. LOL

Indiana save some of the refunds for a Mountain ash, for waxwings. They come in bunches for it. Lots of pictures!!!

This message was edited Jan 29, 2008 4:18 PM

I think I'll try that "listening to the tree" thing the next time I know the DH is looking,lol.

It's crazy how clearly you can hear the pecking when you put your ear up to the tree... you'll definetly know when you have the one that's hosting the wood pecker! So make fun if you want, you pajama and croc wearin' people!
Grandmaggie... do tell me more about this sheet/tin snip combo.

heyitsmejudy I will get the details from my SE tonight and let you know. He made 3 for me and I figured out how to put them on my hooks.
I hold them up with bungies tightly wrapped around the pole under the baffel so it will not slide down. I will take pics up close when its brighter out also.
Maybe a "show us your baffles vol 1" in our future? Ha ha GM

...when you come home and are sad to find all the berries on your holly tree gone, knowing that the waxwings have already visited and you missed them. Maybe next year :'(

The pajama thing is even worse when you live on the eighth tee of the golf course....

You know you are a true bird nut when others start referring to you as an ornithologist and you start using the term 'Turdus migratorius' instead of American Robin. I have been called worse things in life.

Also, you are a wild bird nut when you will drive100 miles to "possibly" sight a somewhat rare specie, join in with other bird nuts, wait for hours in the cold to hopefully see the bird and then go home unsuccessful .... and then do it all over again the next day. I just call it perseverance !

You know you're a wild bird nut when you send the dogs outside with instructions to chase off the squirrels eating all the bird seed.

I'm just becoming a bird nut, but you all gave me lots of ideas! I already walk around the house with binoculars and my field book on birds so I can identify who is visiting the feeders. I'm always looking out my windows to see who's out there. I want to become as nutty as possible! LOL Eleanor

Jammies for sure.

Two food storage containers. I need a third one too.

Dog has learned the word squirrel and runs to the door to go get them.

Walk around with the camera or always have it in arms reach.

Suet in the fridge.

I spend time deciding which seeds they might like this week!

Under favorites on the computer I have listed at least 6 different sites that sell feeders and 3 sites for bird id's or information.

I schedule my housework around the birds schedule!

Trying to figure out a way to get another digital camera to have one upstairs at all time!

You know you are a wild bird nut when your BF is out of town for the night and you spend the entire evening (5pm- ....) on Dave's Garden Bird Watching Forum.

You know you're a bird nut when you have so many feeders that the neighbors watch your feeders too and then call to tell you there is a hawk in your tree and you may want to go chase it away.

... when your neighbors accuse you of "stealing " their hummingbirds.
I can't help it if their 1 feeder can't compete with my 8.

…and when your neighbor has 8 hummingbird feeders, you plant the garden red, fly red ribbons and buy even more feeders to steal hummingbirds back.

;) Hey Judy, is that right?

Whose side are you on, Mrs. Ed?

:)

PS: I also planted a hummingbird garden where shrubs used to be... trumpet vine, columbine, some honesuckle, bee balm, salvia, etc. ... and bought a hibiscus... if I'm being completely honest.

hee hee.

Well, speaking as one who HAS planted a red garden and HAS bought more feeders to stea… I mean "entice" the hummingbirds, I can identify!

LOL.
If you can't hang with the big bird watchers stay on the porch. :)

Judy--8 hummer feeders? Is it safe to go outside with those little kamikazes? I'm waiting for the opportunity to get my DH to put up a new hook so I can move my ONE feeder, as it's too close to the outdoor loungers. Too much dive bombing to enjoy the view (of birds).

I don't even try to do battle with my neighbor; she's got 25 acres and decades of bird feeding on me. Luckily, there are enough birds to go around. But I will be planting more red salvia this year--couldn't believe how much the hummers liked it, especially if it's near the feeder. Gifts of red salvia might smooth some green feathers.

It's not safe to go out wearing red, Coo!
I take the girls from the office to my house for lunch on the patio and it's so funny to watch them duck when they hear "peep"s coming from the hummers fighting with each other.
but yes,... 8... one on each side of my house, three in the front and three in the back... and a hummingbird garden just for good measure. All feeders are several feet apart.

I know I'm a wild bird nut because I went to 6 stores during rain and snow to look for the heated blue pet bowl that dellrose used for her bluebirds bath! (Finally found one at Walmart at Eastgate, coo! Welcome neighbor to DG, by the way!)

And I'm buying a new refrigerator to keep my meal worms in. How crazy is that?

And yes, we try to steal the birds from our neighbors' feeders too! But we let them have the hawks...

Ya'll are hysterical!! And, I know exactly what you're talking about as far as enticing the hummers out of the neighbor's yard and back into mine!!! My 10 year old daughter went ballistic when the neighbor put up a hummingbird feeder and he was "stealing" our hummers. I think he heard her, because he took it down!! LOL!!

Need to look for the blue heated water bowl this weekend....

You know you are a wild bird nut when you stand at your dinning romm window and shoot 60 pics and can't stop. lol BEV

Yes, but you got a great pic!

Thanks Debilu!!

Thank God there are others out there like me!!!

You know you're a bird nut when it's below zero outside and you've opened your windows slightly as to direct heat outside for the birds hanging out in your shrubs.

You know you're a bird nut when it's snowed and you shovel paths in your grass towards the feeders so the birds don't miss a meal. You even shovel the ground around the feeders for the doves.

A new refrigerator for worms? IMHO, that wins, hands down!!

Ceejaytown, I agree. Tabasco is the nuttiest… so far. :D

Ok, DH turned me on to watching the birds. He goes out at 5:30am to shovel the snow around the feeders so the ground birds can get at the food. We have the binocs, bird book, and spotting scope ready. We have 2 large garbage cans full of food. Sometimes we have to fill twice a day.

In the summer when relaxing on the deck with friends, we are taking and the conversation comes to a complete stop if a humming bird comes close, or a waxwing, rose breasted grosebeak or an oriole comes in close.
The friends get confused at the conversation. It is too funny. They just don't get it.

"Look, come see the pileated woodpecker on the suet" and they say, "um, yeah, big woodpecker" We need new friends?

Tabasco! You win, a fridge for the worms. Proud to be your neighbor. Don't really need a bird bath heater (we have a stream and the birds don't seem to care about the bath), but might have to check it out anyway.

T abasco, are you talking about one of those little ones?? I could do that!!

No, a big one. Ha, ha! Because I have to store my bulb forcing project in there too!

Thaks to DG I'm 'addicted' on several fronts, happy to say!

And DH said "Great!" so how 'bout that?!! True love.

OK, coo, since you've admitted you have such a perfect bird habitat you now have to promise to post lots of pics for us!!