tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91753701634932318272024-02-07T02:03:55.504-08:00Grandma Pearl's BackporchYou can create your own yard and garden habitats to HELP WILD BIRDS SURVIVE AND THRIVE!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-22007234952370361232014-12-01T09:36:00.000-08:002014-12-01T09:36:42.540-08:00Attract More Birds to Your Yard: Build a Brush Pile for Wildlife<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRBrH_yYSlIIuqoRt0ldsPd3boHZk89R29HasZ0ED_VHEq3Gud4Vs_DOjYdPVyZ9Mkm1j1WUOLPURjEv7CZIkVjWLdw56l3X4qBPINaWO4Evjf7OmT81GDjl6CM_wmiZuqyYlF__XNd8/s1600/chipmunk+cropped+and+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRBrH_yYSlIIuqoRt0ldsPd3boHZk89R29HasZ0ED_VHEq3Gud4Vs_DOjYdPVyZ9Mkm1j1WUOLPURjEv7CZIkVjWLdw56l3X4qBPINaWO4Evjf7OmT81GDjl6CM_wmiZuqyYlF__XNd8/s1600/chipmunk+cropped+and+resized.jpg" height="168" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zi4tAfjhxzO6Zj0zDOoKghhb3KvvyB6voLmUok8BbZkEWlkugxNXBQHihIIF5NWDr9fKJgTr32cCbZla_Hg8UUiahSaCbLT0UcL9p0mYXkuCO9cL-QkHwld-SHPBA0IvHTuo_RlhsXw/s1600/chipmunk+on+tree+trunk+best+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zi4tAfjhxzO6Zj0zDOoKghhb3KvvyB6voLmUok8BbZkEWlkugxNXBQHihIIF5NWDr9fKJgTr32cCbZla_Hg8UUiahSaCbLT0UcL9p0mYXkuCO9cL-QkHwld-SHPBA0IvHTuo_RlhsXw/s1600/chipmunk+on+tree+trunk+best+resized.jpg" height="198" width="200" /> <span style="color: black;">Brush Piles Are Awesome!</span></a></h4>
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I am very fortunate to live in the woods! Here is my newest brush pile, which includes lots of small branches and saplings that have fallen in windstorms, or just because they didn't receive enough natural light. The leaves are mostly oak--they are the last to come down in the autumn.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4Hsnz2Qsg7OMJdLcWoFCPkkzh8Re6R22Mr84bdAbbwwIZNsksiYrL8-aiytGy8Yj58-wmmY4MzaaIseFYLGnOATdEXxYf50ZhIe522CivpeaxS7aIiQu9vDbQ8ztZIUsHMegn2B4I1Q/s1600/another+home+in+a+different+brush+pile+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4Hsnz2Qsg7OMJdLcWoFCPkkzh8Re6R22Mr84bdAbbwwIZNsksiYrL8-aiytGy8Yj58-wmmY4MzaaIseFYLGnOATdEXxYf50ZhIe522CivpeaxS7aIiQu9vDbQ8ztZIUsHMegn2B4I1Q/s1600/another+home+in+a+different+brush+pile+resized.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's another brush pile that I started in August. You can see that a small animal has already made its way into the complex network of branches and leaves. Inside a brush pile animals and birds can find all sorts of small invertebrates, larvae, rootlets, seeds, moss and all kinds of marvelous food!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvpM39JwkjnG2IbKA3N7O0ACrQ0BPDiGcMf1QnsiUX9RJENNJ0bcHjwG1-Sa5O30VeH28ekUP0-3JXARWUMFDiIkY4IIWDFQLREhGiI9H622bxVSQOg_xBOPglNmku_yNnfKWBSVxEsQ/s1600/somebody's%2Bhome%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bbrush%2Bpile%2Bresized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvpM39JwkjnG2IbKA3N7O0ACrQ0BPDiGcMf1QnsiUX9RJENNJ0bcHjwG1-Sa5O30VeH28ekUP0-3JXARWUMFDiIkY4IIWDFQLREhGiI9H622bxVSQOg_xBOPglNmku_yNnfKWBSVxEsQ/s1600/somebody's%2Bhome%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bbrush%2Bpile%2Bresized.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have seen juncos enter and exit from this brush pile. They spend a lot of time around these areas, foraging for insects and getting away from snow and windstorms. They also sleep in these piles at night! I know they use them for nesting places as well, because I have seen fledgling birds perching just outside this entrance hole.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tlVB_dRnnQ1_XxdvKi2eFN_qdQf8bgfAqibKZdT9Nm7q04OHB17GCDVB31AcXsGdjveall-HcaoaEQtCu7PPsDVl2PnJvA_B_ZcQoaTQTci_am7ZJzegyH_9BIo-KoNhoLzZ41x-Y_Y/s1600/junco+perched++in+downed+oak+branches+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tlVB_dRnnQ1_XxdvKi2eFN_qdQf8bgfAqibKZdT9Nm7q04OHB17GCDVB31AcXsGdjveall-HcaoaEQtCu7PPsDVl2PnJvA_B_ZcQoaTQTci_am7ZJzegyH_9BIo-KoNhoLzZ41x-Y_Y/s1600/junco+perched++in+downed+oak+branches+resized.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Junco perching on a branch near one of the brush piles.<br /><br /><br /><h4>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Small animals like chipmunks love to hide their food in these piles. They also create warm nests in the spring and fall, but come winter weather, they head underground by burrowing beneath the brush pile.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You have to clean up your yard anyway, right? So why not make a beneficial habitat to attract more birds, just as Mother Nature does. Even if you don't have a large yard, maybe you have a garage or shed near which you can start to build your brush pile. Just make sure you aren't offending your neighbors, or upsetting your local code enforcer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have Fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grandma Pearl</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Building-the-Ultimate-Brush-Pile-4-Easy-Steps-to-a-Super-Brush-Pile-for-Birds" target="_blank">How to Build a Brush Pile for Birds & Small Animals</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hub.me/afyAL" target="_blank">Learn More About Dark-Eyed Juncos</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-84321535016504669962014-06-06T09:05:00.001-07:002014-06-06T09:05:43.888-07:00My Beautiful Blue Garden Surprise!<h3>
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Much to my surprise, a tall plant with dark blue buds suddenly appeared in
my garden in early May. I never planted
it, so the birds must have done it for me!
I watched it grow taller, and eagerly awaited the blooming of the many
flowers along the branched stalk. After
several weeks, I was rewarded for my patience.</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd8lLCopL9dzR6_TbkIZIy9eO66OtDyR2BRLsTRbr54nelEofvFNFnXHHHAKX5VqD4ltcDHR4qS00I8ci9i01Ye-P0FYfPfh7Rtz7Y5uMAY9sw4fv0v9dvnw97x7Lq-lXGdCUKxSfc4E/s1600/wild+blue+lupine+a+member+of+the+clover+family+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd8lLCopL9dzR6_TbkIZIy9eO66OtDyR2BRLsTRbr54nelEofvFNFnXHHHAKX5VqD4ltcDHR4qS00I8ci9i01Ye-P0FYfPfh7Rtz7Y5uMAY9sw4fv0v9dvnw97x7Lq-lXGdCUKxSfc4E/s1600/wild+blue+lupine+a+member+of+the+clover+family+resized.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_562811911"></span><span id="goog_562811912"></span>Pretty Blue Wild Lupine </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span lang="EN">Isn't it a beauty? I love the deep
blue color. It reminds me of a sweet
pea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">In my research I also found that it is a wild lupine which grows all over
the U.S. But this blue color is the only
one that grows in my NYS region. All the rest are shades of blue, purple,
orange and yellow. Actually, lupines are
a member of the pea and clover family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span lang="EN"> I also learned that the wild lupine
is an essential plant for the larvae of the <i>Karner Blue Butterfly</i>. If the little caterpillars don't find a
lupine around, they won't survive. It's
their only food source!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKLRPaBi7OcAiziVR5DYjqWwLm9a0G9fwMKlFc5cgcdymBrT0H1uQgo2MdcebTCPZ3IU3apIWpbKFk4beldjejKvmsqxN4-qIldll39qF-UaOlmq4KjyENi4zSCuyyTojrnPHbhBZWSQ/s1600/wwkarnerblu2+from+NYS+Dept+of+Conservation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKLRPaBi7OcAiziVR5DYjqWwLm9a0G9fwMKlFc5cgcdymBrT0H1uQgo2MdcebTCPZ3IU3apIWpbKFk4beldjejKvmsqxN4-qIldll39qF-UaOlmq4KjyENi4zSCuyyTojrnPHbhBZWSQ/s1600/wwkarnerblu2+from+NYS+Dept+of+Conservation.jpg" height="400" width="361" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/56119.html" target="_blank">Karner Blue Butterfly</a> from NYS Dept. of Conservation</div>
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<span lang="EN">I'm looking forward to possibly seeing a Karner Blue--that would be
awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">See pictures and learn more about the connection between wild lupines and the </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/insects/kbb/lupine.html" target="_blank">KarnerBlue Butterfly</a> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">in an article written by Kim Mitchell and Cathy Carnes.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><b>How to grow lupines:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Preferred soil conditions are sandy dry soil in full sun to semi-shady
conditions in a cool climate. Mine is
growing in one of my semi-shaded gardens here in the woods, but they are also found on open
savannas, and recently logged or burned areas.
Their seeds need snow cover to protect them over the winter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Blooming in late May through June, they produce seed pods, which pop open
and spread their seeds. You'll know
when that is about to happen because the pods will turn black. And then the lupines will die back in
July. When the <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/karner_blue_butterfly.shtml" target="_blank">Karner Blue Butterfly larvae</a> hatch, they browse on the leaves of the lupine. It takes a lot of lupine leaves to ensure the
butterfly larvae will survive to metamorphosize into adult butterflies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Learn more about collecting and replanting seeds from Ellen Brown in her
article here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><a href="http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22469513.tip.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22469513.tip.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-79418306546086563532014-06-05T07:45:00.000-07:002014-06-05T07:45:58.294-07:00Beautiful Moth Identified<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNZrGRb0eB_70x2rX4uydwcXTy-bb3HA3wEjrGWWu16-Rhqbb_KehQRyBgq9GqgNw2yCekyZ4GaxmpsvQaeelgy0pFlwrX5uTtuEzmCvdhSHn-8DZwkScpmf9mSgPbxFunaUf52aU798/s1600/female+IO+Moth+in+my+backyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNZrGRb0eB_70x2rX4uydwcXTy-bb3HA3wEjrGWWu16-Rhqbb_KehQRyBgq9GqgNw2yCekyZ4GaxmpsvQaeelgy0pFlwrX5uTtuEzmCvdhSHn-8DZwkScpmf9mSgPbxFunaUf52aU798/s1600/female+IO+Moth+in+my+backyard.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the beautiful 'Io' Moth that I found in my backyard this morning!</div>
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The eyespots are meant to confuse and distract any bird or other animal trying to make a meal of it. This is the female, while the male is very yellow in coloring.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFSnQ_dgoQSIJrtv_DNoWjua60OGmANqb87BFbWXCGlR4Lfc0sl5Oj_WMKdf_PJXzshH6GUu8IrWmnHqF4QR622c1YLtFAbvLlD1Ncx0vj0WboQpRo7TJsm6_q-eOvI4RsSW7jeemKEo/s1600/female+IO+Moth+under+wing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFSnQ_dgoQSIJrtv_DNoWjua60OGmANqb87BFbWXCGlR4Lfc0sl5Oj_WMKdf_PJXzshH6GUu8IrWmnHqF4QR622c1YLtFAbvLlD1Ncx0vj0WboQpRo7TJsm6_q-eOvI4RsSW7jeemKEo/s1600/female+IO+Moth+under+wing.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a look at the underside of her wings. When they are folded in the closed position, all you see is an orange-brown coloration just like that of the under wings. She did not fold them for me I think because it was a chilly morning, and she was trying to absorb any warmth she could!</div>
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These lovely moths are found mostly east of the Rockies and into Canada.</div>
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But their spiny caterpillars hold a nasty surprise should you happen to touch one. Here's a link to an article written by <a href="http://www.fsca-dpi.org/entomologists/heppner.htm" target="_blank">J.B. Heppner</a>, Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with more pictures of the Io Moth and its caterpillars, and further details of what happened to a man who accidentally came in contact with an Io Moth caterpillar. <a href="http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/io_moth.htm" target="_blank">Click Here</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYpuouN8x6LV7yigsDZaZMYbGFAkqEq5tC3JnfmoOeyAgrxJLlawecMSb4nDZ-1WGI-pqCOIgf1moiMnSLSqCMV9w7mCB1IRR1i0dibTN8tdeIedb0saOMOaRwhp6t9Ip0cv_gj2jMyA/s1600/female+IO+moth+from+above+shows+curvature+of+front+wings+and+eyespots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYpuouN8x6LV7yigsDZaZMYbGFAkqEq5tC3JnfmoOeyAgrxJLlawecMSb4nDZ-1WGI-pqCOIgf1moiMnSLSqCMV9w7mCB1IRR1i0dibTN8tdeIedb0saOMOaRwhp6t9Ip0cv_gj2jMyA/s1600/female+IO+moth+from+above+shows+curvature+of+front+wings+and+eyespots.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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She seems to enjoy perching on my little '<a href="http://www.provenwinners.com/plants/petunia/supertunia-pretty-much-picasso-petunia-hybrid" target="_blank">Supertunias</a>'</div>
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<a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-51382663712014334902014-05-28T07:39:00.004-07:002014-05-28T07:43:35.433-07:00Paton's Birder Hummingbird Haven Saved!<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Hummingbird Haven successfully protected </h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ebiIYJ1v89D724oMHyoExUx-oMab30oTdcFaTA5VEjr1etGvwZl9pE4c12K_Osg81WVmu7AW4baOkWXgAbp8jB2m16Dtyl-l84bU1RB0wbs4_PToGD3DDtZjycMsBzL2MT1hBJryvnk/s1600/violet+crowned+hummingbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ebiIYJ1v89D724oMHyoExUx-oMab30oTdcFaTA5VEjr1etGvwZl9pE4c12K_Osg81WVmu7AW4baOkWXgAbp8jB2m16Dtyl-l84bU1RB0wbs4_PToGD3DDtZjycMsBzL2MT1hBJryvnk/s1600/violet+crowned+hummingbird.jpg" height="200" width="135" /></a></div>
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<u><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pleautaud/3216226893/" target="_blank">Violet-Crowned Hummingbird</a></u></div>
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thanks to the American Bird Conservancy, and an international fundraising campaign, which acquired and has turned over to the Tucson Audubon Society, <a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2014/05/starthroat-hummingbirds-and-more-from.html" target="_blank">Paton’s Birder Haven</a> located in Patagonia, Arizona. </div>
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Wally and Marion Paton began the sanctuary in 1974 by planting flowers and creating water features. Dedicated birdwatchers lined their outside fence, so they decided to graciously welcome them in. They kept that gate open until their deaths. </div>
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The property then passed to their children, who were determined to make sure their parents’ legacy would continue to benefit all bird lovers wishing to visit. The special efforts of Victor Emanuel, American Bird Conservancy, and the Tucson Audubon Society further ensured the preservation of this site as a hummingbird destination and sanctuary.</div>
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Among the large variety of hummingbirds that visit this haven are the Violet-Crowned Hummingbird, and the Magnificent Hummingbird.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYPiQHoEZZE6k3FCqJtrCRfSv_Vpkt6elotPnrs_TcBOF3FNJc8ZJLzp4IwbF-IgUrsKbcto-foXoiPdIRoEA0h5OWxgFDFTssdrbxhyTjSvUvoyikfkcM-yD04YZJ12dieokHHQ5cSQ/s1600/magnificent+hummingbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYPiQHoEZZE6k3FCqJtrCRfSv_Vpkt6elotPnrs_TcBOF3FNJc8ZJLzp4IwbF-IgUrsKbcto-foXoiPdIRoEA0h5OWxgFDFTssdrbxhyTjSvUvoyikfkcM-yD04YZJ12dieokHHQ5cSQ/s1600/magnificent+hummingbird.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbygott/4456740326/" target="_blank">Magnificent Hummingbird</a></div>
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Grandma Pearl</div>
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<a href="http://www.ventbird.com/" target="_blank">Victor Emanuel Nature Tours</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g31303-d3369728-r153776429-Paton_s_Hummingbird_Haven-Patagonia_Arizona.html" target="_blank">Paton's Birder Haven</a><br />
<a href="http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/" target="_blank">Tucson Audubon Society</a></div>
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<a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2014/05/starthroat-hummingbirds-and-more-from.html" target="_blank">Birds of Colombia Video</a></div>
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Violet-Crowned Hummingbird Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pleautaud/3216226893">http://www.flickr.com/photos/pleautaud/3216226893</a><br />
Magnificent Hummingbird Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbygott/4456740326/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbygott/4456740326/</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-64790234121660714542014-05-27T08:10:00.001-07:002014-05-27T08:13:51.258-07:00Starthroat Hummingbirds and More from Colombia<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Hummingbirds and Lots of Other Birds Migrate from Colombia Every Year!</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBruFSOoA96FZ-OMX-Zaui260xX1pQAM4ib9D34BRVXt3w_Z5hM7tfuBKYLSYG5CPZjthDQnK2otph6amZ3vG5hyphenhyphenufMe5NXtHRXtMNsmwCKrxjDs9LVGkJQs0kjee2zi-ATWkf90XjTZM/s1600/starthroat+hummingbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBruFSOoA96FZ-OMX-Zaui260xX1pQAM4ib9D34BRVXt3w_Z5hM7tfuBKYLSYG5CPZjthDQnK2otph6amZ3vG5hyphenhyphenufMe5NXtHRXtMNsmwCKrxjDs9LVGkJQs0kjee2zi-ATWkf90XjTZM/s1600/starthroat+hummingbird.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Long-Billed <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanagertourism/5882821848/" target="_blank">Starthroat Hummingbird</a></div>
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This beautiful Hummingbird's breeding range is in Mexico and Panama, but it is typically found in Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil and other South American Countries.</div>
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The best way to see this gorgeous bird is to travel to its habitat. Sign up for a South American <a href="http://www.ecoturs.org/" target="_blank">Nature Tour</a>, or go to <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g31303-d3369728-r153776429-Paton_s_Hummingbird_Haven-Patagonia_Arizona.html" target="_blank">Paton's Birder Haven</a> in Arizona.</div>
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Here is an excellent video made by <a href="http://youtu.be/hhg7HoI1XOM" target="_blank">Colombia Bird Watch</a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hhg7HoI1XOM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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You'll be amazed at the variety and color of tropical birds! From the world's tiniest woodpecker, to the many-hued tanagers, to wetland birds including snail kites, this video takes you on a tour of Colombia's bird life.<br />
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Enjoy!</div>
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<a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></div>
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<a href="http://hubpages.com/t/28f471" target="_blank">Little Flying Jewels</a></div>
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<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/7776624" target="_blank">The Sounds of Hummingbirds</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-48814365363588183442014-05-09T11:15:00.001-07:002014-05-09T11:31:40.424-07:00Male Northern Oriole Just Arrived--Thin and Hungry!<h3 style="text-align: center;">
I am always amazed at the beauty of Northern Orioles, not just for their physical appearance, but for their lyrical songs and enchanting call notes. They have honored me once again with their presence in my yard after a long migratory journey from South America. </h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnKo1ZKK2-HdOAmmrokCyU9TmEYTtE0jOjv_zrdMgdgQcaUCgcKTHd7cgPwaZMYvqVMzTn9_QWbYYbIGw4OuXIZXblAe7hwaruh7Mn_H24JwiGJpLVNaMx_N4OJJnmnyb1Ed0vHqrUAA/s1600/male+oriole+just+arrived+thin+and+hungry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnKo1ZKK2-HdOAmmrokCyU9TmEYTtE0jOjv_zrdMgdgQcaUCgcKTHd7cgPwaZMYvqVMzTn9_QWbYYbIGw4OuXIZXblAe7hwaruh7Mn_H24JwiGJpLVNaMx_N4OJJnmnyb1Ed0vHqrUAA/s1600/male+oriole+just+arrived+thin+and+hungry.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Northern Oriole Just Arrived, and he's looking thin and very hungry, but very handsome!</td></tr>
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<b>Orioles make the long trip northward in the spring to</b> make nests and raise families because their babies would suffer and die in the extreme tropical heat. So it's easier for them to survive and thrive where days and nights are relatively cooler than in the southern climes.</div>
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The returning male has already spotted a female and begun to court her! I saw her follow him to the basket feeder he found earlier. In it I have all kinds of chopped nut pieces, including pistachios, peanuts and walnuts; as well as tiny pieces of dried fruit. I watched as the Oriole deftly poked each nutmeat between his toes and began to break off pieces with his narrow long black beak. </div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1npc6QK" target="_blank">Fruit & Nut Mixture for Birds</a> </div>
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This is my most visited bird feeder year round, and it couldn't be easier to make and install using items you probably already have around the house. </div>
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<a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2014/01/make-easy-basket-bird-feeder.html" target="_blank">Easy Basket Bird Feeder</a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8t8I9xAq8XV0ultjVjpQeBc_6yC3BcB7TntsoJXktOibWLe0FNe8AUsmz-UaNMMk8orP6J7jLZchZ9pG_aGcZofFuShFRA7uWJxlMkH31olMv0Ir6dHbfqn-rjQ00KI_NlfQpcAmla4/s1600/bird+feeder+basket+attracts+its+first+visitor+a+chickadee+but+out+of+focus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8t8I9xAq8XV0ultjVjpQeBc_6yC3BcB7TntsoJXktOibWLe0FNe8AUsmz-UaNMMk8orP6J7jLZchZ9pG_aGcZofFuShFRA7uWJxlMkH31olMv0Ir6dHbfqn-rjQ00KI_NlfQpcAmla4/s1600/bird+feeder+basket+attracts+its+first+visitor+a+chickadee+but+out+of+focus.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you want to make Orioles really happy, serve them grape jelly in glass containers or jelly feeders, which can be tucked in among the branches of your smaller trees or inside a tall hedgerow or shrubbery plants. </div>
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Or add a <a href="http://amzn.to/1saAt2c" target="_blank">fruit feeder</a> with orange halves attached. Oranges are another favorite treat that attract orioles to your yard and gardens. </div>
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And offer them pieces of string or thin yarn that's about 4" to 6" long. They'll use them to skillfully weave in and out of their amazingly elastic hanging pouch nest. It doesn't matter what color the yarn is, but I have used orange before just because it matches their feather color! </div>
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The nesting materials can be draped over tree branches where the birds will find them easily. Remember, they'll be searching your land from the sky, so think about the most visible areas of your yard from that point of view, and place the yarn accordingly. Or you can incorporate them into a nesting ball with other materials lots of backyard birds can use for their cozy constructions.</div>
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<b>Learn the easy steps to Making a <a href="http://pearlsbackporchscrapbook.blogspot.com/2014/02/make-nesting-ball-for-birds.html" target="_blank">Nesting Ball</a> for the Birds</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDsb0GS83mMh0ESOv2P4QrjdtY5KHDfBxeXybRxjUsVnypLnOPLTvE0oUe5s0srAmQv6MLnHP6SedtGUt6zCQ9u3gNRUBMWmBDgAlk_GSeFmShv4Q7C8bdH4IEWk3e5DprfIJnQJFzDw/s1600/nesting+ball+edited+and+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDsb0GS83mMh0ESOv2P4QrjdtY5KHDfBxeXybRxjUsVnypLnOPLTvE0oUe5s0srAmQv6MLnHP6SedtGUt6zCQ9u3gNRUBMWmBDgAlk_GSeFmShv4Q7C8bdH4IEWk3e5DprfIJnQJFzDw/s1600/nesting+ball+edited+and+resized.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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These awesome birds eat tons of insects, including beetles, wasps, and flies of all kinds. Orioles are a gardener's friend, so be careful not to use toxic insecticides that will make them sick, as well as kill off their natural food sources. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0g-62V0M0WOlninjAVg1V_KhtVKbClYu0T8YhlU6m2jAmAsQsYPUkq7MRiYlaZALh6_XhL0z21D0roCeA_kDw3Q-17qzlB8GOBTwtD1Toz4IVNQXEJGe3hDZekTovYUzMD19vc9azKro/s1600/Male+oriole+feather+colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0g-62V0M0WOlninjAVg1V_KhtVKbClYu0T8YhlU6m2jAmAsQsYPUkq7MRiYlaZALh6_XhL0z21D0roCeA_kDw3Q-17qzlB8GOBTwtD1Toz4IVNQXEJGe3hDZekTovYUzMD19vc9azKro/s1600/Male+oriole+feather+colors.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Feather Colors of the Northern Oriole include yellow, orange, black and white.</td></tr>
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The beauty of the Northern Oriole to me is breathtaking, and I can't get enough of that bright orange and black contrast, with a little yellow mixed in for good measure!</div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Connie_M_Smith" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/t/2fb9b8" target="_blank">7 Natural Ways to Entice Orioles to Your Yard</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/RvWDRw" target="_blank"> Oriole Nectar Feeder</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATslmNVodZbzUyP6DSQWz5ITR69c5e8tK40rSfkpBqgyFYf2mWCptiidATSpJCWuJ5tAyZ6CvYqOAjh8oWV876BZRnKBlFgf_upkB6IYmpH5dxMGZsHhcFw2-4H2smQVlmc04g3D9fjw/s1600/songbird+essentials+ultimate+feeder+on+amazon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATslmNVodZbzUyP6DSQWz5ITR69c5e8tK40rSfkpBqgyFYf2mWCptiidATSpJCWuJ5tAyZ6CvYqOAjh8oWV876BZRnKBlFgf_upkB6IYmpH5dxMGZsHhcFw2-4H2smQVlmc04g3D9fjw/s1600/songbird+essentials+ultimate+feeder+on+amazon.jpg" height="265" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-88185386254367188222014-04-24T06:56:00.001-07:002014-04-24T06:58:12.744-07:00Easy Straw Hat Bird House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CUzdKfA3jJi-Krk4LBmkHuFox9-WKeQkDcfGwC_mebCqCCditgSqqJhN6pac3CDaBegBfTA1YOcqSi0zLVvNHGJNwFZv3lyeOqWOkYTAU2-YVt6Cz0d_9WuGSXZcr2KgK_RmG8nzHg4/s1600/fill+in+with+more+flowers+and+leaves+until+you+are+happy+with+result+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CUzdKfA3jJi-Krk4LBmkHuFox9-WKeQkDcfGwC_mebCqCCditgSqqJhN6pac3CDaBegBfTA1YOcqSi0zLVvNHGJNwFZv3lyeOqWOkYTAU2-YVt6Cz0d_9WuGSXZcr2KgK_RmG8nzHg4/s1600/fill+in+with+more+flowers+and+leaves+until+you+are+happy+with+result+resized.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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You've seen them on sheds and the sides of garages--old straw hats where the top of the crown has fallen apart. And then some very smart birds have used those hats for their nest.</div>
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They not only look rustic and inviting, but they make a beautiful statement while providing a great place for your favorite backyard birds to raise their young.</div>
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<b>Here's what you'll need to make this easy project:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuHOcvnhRE3S4Gxw0O_dVucQZ4rKLXPuszQJwtgeFGP4HOryFcfk4RVO95ZXBzNPkdr7gtz-YTXJRmsAxKchv03fA0MskSA5JaTPH8n2e_VexqhkIkPW4t7WFp7feHWuQUTVjRM5YMpQ/s1600/straw+hat+bird+house+what+you+need+with+blog+name+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuHOcvnhRE3S4Gxw0O_dVucQZ4rKLXPuszQJwtgeFGP4HOryFcfk4RVO95ZXBzNPkdr7gtz-YTXJRmsAxKchv03fA0MskSA5JaTPH8n2e_VexqhkIkPW4t7WFp7feHWuQUTVjRM5YMpQ/s1600/straw+hat+bird+house+what+you+need+with+blog+name+resized.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Newspaper or old tablecloth to cover your work surface</li>
<li>Large straw hat with a 4" (approx.) deep crown to accommodate most backyard birds</li>
<li>Stapler</li>
<li>Glue Gun</li>
<li>12" x 12" piece of bubble wrap or other thick plastic to cover back of hat</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
<li>Wire cutters</li>
<li>Assorted silk flowers of your choice</li>
<li>Bottle cap measuring 1 1/2" in diameter</li>
<li>Marking pen</li>
</ul>
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I found my straw hat at the local craft and hobby store, along with the silk flowers and bubble wrap. They also carry glue guns, wire cutters and staplers, if you don't already have them. This project cost under $20.00, but will vary with your location and the supplies and tools you already have on hand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRZ9Ty9LP_qn9m6pboxq0v9RyKVGCmVcKChUz9pWEUSbuc53WmqYDaAlUwO_Sfah3on9E7m1fvuzfrd6FFKyBCeEUk3ZHdOA8B26Eb5bcV0TecSiLA_HkRqht-okUxrTruf6Qs5NKGMY/s1600/cut+a+hole+in+top+of+hat+crown+with+blog+name_edited-1+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRZ9Ty9LP_qn9m6pboxq0v9RyKVGCmVcKChUz9pWEUSbuc53WmqYDaAlUwO_Sfah3on9E7m1fvuzfrd6FFKyBCeEUk3ZHdOA8B26Eb5bcV0TecSiLA_HkRqht-okUxrTruf6Qs5NKGMY/s1600/cut+a+hole+in+top+of+hat+crown+with+blog+name_edited-1+resized.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ol>
<li>Start by tracing around 1 1/2" bottle cap or jar lid with marking pen in the middle of crown top; and then cut on marked line with scissors.</li>
<li>Turn hat over and place bubble wrap over the back of the crown opening.</li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_z2MB11Bw1lwXaKhMw2R8lpIc1sBdTuSS4FwzomRkllhgPWB0ZuP9GG3jGp3mAfyaqI02S1lo2K9_nsV0_rqn7w7KUwssdHqceoTgduYvbMsijGj3bQJ93D3UqXXceliCITFTExWpv0/s1600/finished+back+of+hat+with+stapled+plastic+in+place+with+blog+name+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_z2MB11Bw1lwXaKhMw2R8lpIc1sBdTuSS4FwzomRkllhgPWB0ZuP9GG3jGp3mAfyaqI02S1lo2K9_nsV0_rqn7w7KUwssdHqceoTgduYvbMsijGj3bQJ93D3UqXXceliCITFTExWpv0/s1600/finished+back+of+hat+with+stapled+plastic+in+place+with+blog+name+resized.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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3. Use staple gun and start by attaching each corner to back of hat with a staple; then fill in with staples approximately every inch or so. We don't want baby birds falling out!</div>
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Don't worry about the staple points showing through on the other side of the hat brim. They will be covered by your flowers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-dkVxkWxCunC0KSS8pd1vjVfsZEpdfUpaMY4u2BdRmh0eqz745nziGnoeB_nsxBJCsGSbbh7DulmGZGvbr0ELQMkAx1Jqqne9D8qtFAdqC9g8BojAyypM01ftr-3Gdzd_IBAorNEu0k/s1600/cover+back+of+hat+crown+with+heavy+plastic+or+bubblewrap+with+blog+name+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-dkVxkWxCunC0KSS8pd1vjVfsZEpdfUpaMY4u2BdRmh0eqz745nziGnoeB_nsxBJCsGSbbh7DulmGZGvbr0ELQMkAx1Jqqne9D8qtFAdqC9g8BojAyypM01ftr-3Gdzd_IBAorNEu0k/s1600/cover+back+of+hat+crown+with+heavy+plastic+or+bubblewrap+with+blog+name+resized.jpg" height="172" width="320" /></a></div>
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4. Use your wire cutters or scissors to clip off silk flowers from their stems. Leave approximately 1/4" to 1/2" of the stem so you have a glue attachment point. Save the leaves from the stems to poke in between the flowers at the very end.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcqPI9ZDJgXQLLHpNqwmbBp6aHCnLkKKzoeRljkRSCACFFgtXJEf6HZZTT7q9M6GV7VpAHoef9DQTzsLGt0t5Jy2VNzwc9IDIjXrWYjW8S3nrbZEUsvWZPWjzYAQ4u335T4mww8HE3uc/s1600/glue+end+of+flower+over+staple+with+blog+name+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcqPI9ZDJgXQLLHpNqwmbBp6aHCnLkKKzoeRljkRSCACFFgtXJEf6HZZTT7q9M6GV7VpAHoef9DQTzsLGt0t5Jy2VNzwc9IDIjXrWYjW8S3nrbZEUsvWZPWjzYAQ4u335T4mww8HE3uc/s1600/glue+end+of+flower+over+staple+with+blog+name+resized.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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5. Use your glue gun to attach each flower over the staple points along the top of the straw hat brim. Then begin to fill in empty spots with more flowers and some leaves. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8M2Ezbt75B81G9jeCUgN69MKXMlHOkqdR2xLSqk1HIGCo_vlsz20viTRbuLdCrNYiQNi915XTpjxZg_bePzfSen7ZLQLLuuQbkPXyx-3vE-vu1XWcIUKwUvlOv5BtU9v3mandHyyLxQ/s1600/continue+to+add+flowers+over+staples+on+hat+brim+with+blog+name+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8M2Ezbt75B81G9jeCUgN69MKXMlHOkqdR2xLSqk1HIGCo_vlsz20viTRbuLdCrNYiQNi915XTpjxZg_bePzfSen7ZLQLLuuQbkPXyx-3vE-vu1XWcIUKwUvlOv5BtU9v3mandHyyLxQ/s1600/continue+to+add+flowers+over+staples+on+hat+brim+with+blog+name+resized.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Remember to have fun with this. There is no right or wrong way to add your flowers. You can place a band of ribbon or lace around the bottom of the hat crown behind your flowers if you wish. Maybe you want to add a pretty bow as well. </div>
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I wouldn't make ribbon tails that might flap in the wind and spook your birds, though.</div>
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Note there are 2 small metal grommets reinforcing air holes in the crown of my hat. If your hat has those holes, you can hang your creation so that the holes face downward. That way any moisture or condensation from inside the bird's nesting area has a way to evaporate or drain.</div>
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Speaking of hanging your hat--the straw is so flexible that you can poke a hole in it with an old nail or awl. Be sure to leave at least an inch between the edge of the hat brim and the hole. Alternatively, you can put a small square of duct tape behind the hat brim before you make your hanging hole. That will reinforce the brim area so it can't rip out when hung.</div>
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I hung my hat on a cup hook that I had screwed into the wall. Hang yours from 5 to 7 feet off the ground. Then stand back and admire your creation!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn4xPGLcPYJlHvnwol-c6TKubbm0HqRAyU3ZrJGjLrawQraHKsxDkPeXgKAZEjOoGnHNHmK6wMHblEFxn8fLoDxjYa8mdluxO8oD7xXyN-AttX1KEowTeA6awC_dcRz7rZ784UDAoUrg/s1600/hang+your+finished+straw+hat+bird+house+where+birds+can+use+it+in+a+sheltered+area+with+blog+name+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn4xPGLcPYJlHvnwol-c6TKubbm0HqRAyU3ZrJGjLrawQraHKsxDkPeXgKAZEjOoGnHNHmK6wMHblEFxn8fLoDxjYa8mdluxO8oD7xXyN-AttX1KEowTeA6awC_dcRz7rZ784UDAoUrg/s1600/hang+your+finished+straw+hat+bird+house+where+birds+can+use+it+in+a+sheltered+area+with+blog+name+resized.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Keep in mind, it may take a while before your birds find this inviting home, so be patient!</div>
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Have fun.</div>
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<a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://hub.me/afLiP" target="_blank">Easy Hummingbird Feeder Wreath</a></div>
<a href="http://hub.me/aePrf" target="_blank">How to Make a Bird Nesting Basket in 5 Easy Steps</a><br />
<a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Building-the-Ultimate-Brush-Pile-4-Easy-Steps-to-a-Super-Brush-Pile-for-Birds" target="_blank">Building the Ultimate Brush Pile for Your Birds</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://pearlsbackporchscrapbook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pearl's Backporch Scrapbook</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-45892127851519762502014-04-01T09:12:00.000-07:002014-04-01T09:31:21.883-07:00Why You Need to Keep Feeding the Birds in the Springtime<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkKgPQc9AGWKS4og-X3cJfBWeG6VIUdtsXdl6CHOfx7SJV8c1bnmVULLb16mOGTBlYvg99niEEMeciZSpihyphenhyphenXmVrWtjwFnO-43QXRIt7BxSDB5xKdouBvK-2olsiw15Fxt0XqakCVEI0/s1600/baby+birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkKgPQc9AGWKS4og-X3cJfBWeG6VIUdtsXdl6CHOfx7SJV8c1bnmVULLb16mOGTBlYvg99niEEMeciZSpihyphenhyphenXmVrWtjwFnO-43QXRIt7BxSDB5xKdouBvK-2olsiw15Fxt0XqakCVEI0/s1600/baby+birds.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Help Out Mom & Pop!</b><br />
<br />
Adult birds work their feathers off providing protein-rich insects and creepy crawlies for their offspring. <br />
Offering easy meals at the bird feeder helps them tremendously. They don't have to spend time and energy foraging for themselves, and they can devote more time to poking good stuff down their babies' throats!<br />
So make it easy on your poor mom and pop birds, and continue to feed them until their babies have 'flown the coop'.<br />
If you have bears in your area, they will be waking up about now, too. So I totally understand if you have no choice but to hide your bird feeders from the big hungry animals!<br />
Otherwise, do make sure your feeders are well stocked during this critical time in your birds' lives.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></span><br />
<br />
Photo Attribution: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/harpers/2507688238/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/harpers/2507688238/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-27435390991425132852014-04-01T08:34:00.001-07:002014-04-01T08:37:33.144-07:0012 Secrets to Get Birds to Actually Move Into Your Bird Houses!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4ZIazM1JDYCJeHdG53pXyRI0cj_pUqs2LR4hvms2jLCWj_DeTzywRWgWCAajn1ShIeISGz78ha2PuQkk7Myj4R3mByZ-9UkVHHRinLkCdwGI2doZ_tPGlx0iPNdQqrA5AUeLFNKUBPQ/s1600/chickadee+trying+to+stay+cool+on+a+very+hot+day+resized+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4ZIazM1JDYCJeHdG53pXyRI0cj_pUqs2LR4hvms2jLCWj_DeTzywRWgWCAajn1ShIeISGz78ha2PuQkk7Myj4R3mByZ-9UkVHHRinLkCdwGI2doZ_tPGlx0iPNdQqrA5AUeLFNKUBPQ/s1600/chickadee+trying+to+stay+cool+on+a+very+hot+day+resized+for+blog.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Secrets to Getting Birds to Actually Use Your Bird Houses</b></div>
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<span lang="EN">Okay, you’ve added bird houses to your yard to help make a difference in
the survival of your wild birds. You
know that a lot of natural nesting places no longer exist, like old fence
posts, dead trees, and hedgerows. But
how do you entice insect-eating woodpeckers, bluebirds, wrens, chickadees,
titmice, finches, nuthatches, and tree swallows (among others) to move in to
your bird houses?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">These are my secrets to entice birds to move in to those bird houses you’ve
proudly added to your yard:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Mount your bird house
securely on a post, pole, or tree with the entrance hole facing away from
the prevailing winds. In most cases
that would be facing east; and the morning sun will gently warm the inside
of the bird house. Facing towards
the south is not a good idea because of the excessive heat and sun glare. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Keeping your bird
houses up year round can provide much needed shelter from harsh climates
and strong stormy conditions. Birds
will huddle together inside a birdhouse to keep warm and dry during bad
weather. They will remember the
safe, secure structure and return to use it for raising their families.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Selecting different
sizes of birdhouses will attract a variety of birds. They prefer rustic and primitive wood
structures that mimic what they would find in the wild. The appearance and thickness of barn
wood is ideally suited to maintain insulation against both heat and cold,
and tempt nesting site seekers. Old
barn wood’s very nature suggests just the right stuff to attract a wide
variety of cavity nesters!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Birds like to have
their own territory, so spacing bird houses about 20’ to 25’ apart helps to
minimize squabbles between neighbors.
The outer perimeter or edge area of your property is the ideal
place to hang or mount a bird house.
<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><a href="http://pearlsbackporchscrapbook.blogspot.com/p/pictures-of-black-capped-chickadees.html" target="_blank">Chickadees</a> especially
seem to favor a bird house that is close to shrubs like lilacs,
honeysuckle or weigela. The density
of those plants gives them a chance to survey their area for any possible
predators before proceeding to their bird house. You see they don’t want to give away the
location of their eggs or nestlings.
Bushes also provide lots of protein snacks your birds need when
they have a bunch of mouths to feed!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Most nesting birds like
a home that is between 5’ and 10’ off the ground. Bird house entrance holes should be
between 1-1/4” and 1-3/4” in diameter to accommodate most backyard
birds. Make sure your mounting pole
is sturdy and does not sway or wobble in the wind. Our feathered friends need a secure and
reliable place to raise their young.
<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Be sure to add a baffle
to your mounting pole to discourage critters from seeking out birds’ eggs
or nestlings. A torpedo <a href="http://amzn.to/1pHVAYw" target="_blank">baffle</a>
works well against raccoons, while a cone-shaped baffle will deter snakes.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Keep mice from setting
up housekeeping in your bird houses by adding mint to the inside of the
house. Mice hate mint! You can also plant a tub full at the
base of your bird house pole. That
works well for me because mint can be very invasive. Planting peppermint, spearmint or
chocolate mint in a large pot and training it up the pole makes a pretty and
fragrant garden statement.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Fire ants can be a
nuisance at best, and are downright lethal to baby birds at worst. Peel fresh oranges and throw the peels on top
of the ant hill. You can use any
kind of citrus because fire ants hate the oils in the fruit’s skin. <a href="http://amzn.to/1s36dZU" target="_blank">Fire ant deterrents</a> containing the
volatile oils of citrus fruits are sold online and at local plant
nurseries. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Keep your bird houses
clean! Birds will pass up a bird
house if stuff from a previous tenant has been left inside. Before nesting season begins, clean out
any debris, old nesting material, spider webs, etc. Then wash the inside of your house with
a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach and 9 parts of clear warm water. Rinse thoroughly, and set out in the
fresh air to dry totally before remounting. It is vital for the health of the next
generation of birds to take just a few minutes to perform this
cleaning. In doing so, you destroy
any parasite infestation or bacterial diseases that might otherwise claim
the lives of your baby birds.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Birds need a nearby source
of clean water, either natural or provided by you in the form of a <a href="http://amzn.to/1fliLGO" target="_blank">bird bath </a>or fountain. Feathers need to
be preened and cleaned on a regular basis; plus, birds get thirsty just as
we humans do. Providing clean water
is always a great way to attract birds to your yard. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Plant a vegetable
and/or flower and herb gardens.
Color and fragrance attract birds and give them a reason to nest
nearby. The critters that appear on
your flowers and veggies are tasty treats for your birds and their
youngsters. Most of our feathered
friends require a steady diet of protein-rich bugs and creepy
crawlies. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Hanging up a bird house comes with a responsibility to the birds that will
use it for raising their young. Place it
where they will be happy to use it, and keep it clean. Do this and you will have a yard full of
happy, healthy adult and new baby birds!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Optimal-Placement-of-Bird-Houses-Around-Your-Garden&id=6911999" target="_blank">Optimal Placement of Bird Houses</a> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><a href="http://grandmapearls.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-58322489877963439472014-02-27T12:08:00.003-08:002014-02-27T12:19:09.587-08:00Secrets to Attracting Flocks of Happy Finches to Your Yard<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHX0ufN-5DwxUcmYLQjUtBN5R68JgQEAhxM8sH15ehh_3AlJI0Vlum4APMte9kssfzTXbDaaYZ0djZYnZBGxVhdiDTZZBXUPkQpxqVLeCqKj-orBnutn3WEh7ED8LtALVg_VhvYFkno4/s1600/male+purple+finch+resized+for+newsletter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHX0ufN-5DwxUcmYLQjUtBN5R68JgQEAhxM8sH15ehh_3AlJI0Vlum4APMte9kssfzTXbDaaYZ0djZYnZBGxVhdiDTZZBXUPkQpxqVLeCqKj-orBnutn3WEh7ED8LtALVg_VhvYFkno4/s1600/male+purple+finch+resized+for+newsletter.jpg" height="320" width="284" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Male Purple Finch (a/k/a Raspberry Finch)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Such energy and color! I love
finches: goldfinches, house finches, purple finches, crossbills, red polls,
evening grosbeaks, and pine siskins.
They range from greens, to yellows, to oranges to raspberry red, and
they have wonderful liquid songs that uplift the spirit. You cannot help but be happy when finches are
around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On top of that, they eat a ton of weed seeds! Their favorite seeds come from the thistle,
also purple cone flowers, iron weed, dandelions, asters, cosmos, zinnias, and
of course, sunflowers. Once in a while
they will eat a bug, but they are granivorous as a rule.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">People so enjoyed their color and lovely songs that purple finches and
house finches were once sold as caged birds!
To please either of these
finches, plant cherry trees. House
finches in particular have a sweet tooth.
When hummingbirds aren't looking, they will steal some of their
nectar! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipixyvRiGJJQq3AtXRAAO6jRAizawp-TMJf62z8navxy-_OeTELQlZDlGdy6frFDpBGVji7SY_qqEd4SFHZGLWN3Bz69uUSAC-2Up_jbrWiWe0cR_C9oDWdgwNflhl21S-UHi4O7n6klg/s1600/goldfinches+best+doves+female+purple+finch+resized+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipixyvRiGJJQq3AtXRAAO6jRAizawp-TMJf62z8navxy-_OeTELQlZDlGdy6frFDpBGVji7SY_qqEd4SFHZGLWN3Bz69uUSAC-2Up_jbrWiWe0cR_C9oDWdgwNflhl21S-UHi4O7n6klg/s1600/goldfinches+best+doves+female+purple+finch+resized+for+blog.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">American Goldfinches Male and Female, Mourning Doves in the foreground.<br />by Grandma Pearl</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">American goldfinches delay raising a family until late summer to
coincide with the ripening of the seeds they love. They feed only seeds to their young, rather
than any bugs or protein. Their song and
color is so beautiful that they are known as 'wild canaries'. In the wintertime, they burrow under the snow
for insulation against the cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This winter I have had mixed flocks of finches that have numbered in
the hundreds! I know because I
participated in the annual <a href="http://pearlsbackporchscrapbook.blogspot.com/2014/01/how-to-become-citizen-scientist-no.html" target="_blank">Great Backyard Bird Count</a>, as I do
every year. I'm sharing my secrets for
finch success so that you may enjoy the colors and music of these awesome
little birds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AW724QXuI5UtwfMVyE1jDbs2zBQmKQDCNwyY5atlhs9ugqQwgL75_JRTEu41qJIB2ir5TgIyM_JGUWJyjN4jdv5QczpKpKiUvZ0BVa2agN4ciE-x7sxZcQXPAtXu30FlLWXWyM5uZ70/s1600/finches+waiting+their+turn+at+the+feeders+resized+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AW724QXuI5UtwfMVyE1jDbs2zBQmKQDCNwyY5atlhs9ugqQwgL75_JRTEu41qJIB2ir5TgIyM_JGUWJyjN4jdv5QczpKpKiUvZ0BVa2agN4ciE-x7sxZcQXPAtXu30FlLWXWyM5uZ70/s1600/finches+waiting+their+turn+at+the+feeders+resized+for+blog.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Goldfinches in their winter plumage, lining the tree branches, waiting their turn at the feeders.<br />by Grandma Pearl</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The Best Feeders for Attracting Colorful Finches</b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1ccY80h" target="_blank">Nyjer (Thistle) Tube-style Feeder</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1pz7GpI" target="_blank">Sunflower Tube-style Feeder </a> <span style="color: red;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1kpuFQ7" target="_blank">Ground Tray Feeder </a> <span style="color: red;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Platform Feeder </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1eqLNo7" target="_blank">Gazebo-style Feeder</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1kdcfFh" target="_blank">Fruit Feeder </a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2014/01/make-easy-basket-bird-feeder.html" target="_blank">Basket Feeder</a></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2014/01/make-easy-basket-bird-feeder.html" target="_blank"> </a> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1cWSqO8" target="_blank">Heated Bird Bath</a> or Fountain--Finches are 'heavy drinkers' year round, and need a constant open water supply </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">to help digest all that plant fiber.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">They also love to be clean, and bathe often.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWYR2vsdNvuxcWRmvE84HaOhJ3sq2B3lbrFwWeNPcYl51SaOLY2Pm_qoxUDeAPEfw2FS-urbvOiCRDMM4Zx6GfR5PT1a1gVFd-jRSSnzAyEHtjIwcPktLR4yJVwX0OsrOhAS4XUH0XSI/s1600/house+finch+with+seed+excellent+closeup+resized+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWYR2vsdNvuxcWRmvE84HaOhJ3sq2B3lbrFwWeNPcYl51SaOLY2Pm_qoxUDeAPEfw2FS-urbvOiCRDMM4Zx6GfR5PT1a1gVFd-jRSSnzAyEHtjIwcPktLR4yJVwX0OsrOhAS4XUH0XSI/s1600/house+finch+with+seed+excellent+closeup+resized+for+blog.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Male House Finch enjoying a sunflower seed.<br />by Grandma Pearl</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKuuG6kmN3oujPm6Sr-RP6F7r1t4uO2wy-O3UZVpfU8ivj6jkD-TA99IJmHe1lmMI9kVxe3WqkOkBnn2XBqgQMsdknOBAKTFkmbmILe29f-O_CKn-JiAcntTifHBkjEDi1seYNHOt14c/s1600/gold+finches+enjoying+their+basket+bird+feeder+resized+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKuuG6kmN3oujPm6Sr-RP6F7r1t4uO2wy-O3UZVpfU8ivj6jkD-TA99IJmHe1lmMI9kVxe3WqkOkBnn2XBqgQMsdknOBAKTFkmbmILe29f-O_CKn-JiAcntTifHBkjEDi1seYNHOt14c/s1600/gold+finches+enjoying+their+basket+bird+feeder+resized+for+blog.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These little finches love to swing as they pluck seeds from this easy-to-make <a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2014/01/make-easy-basket-bird-feeder.html" target="_blank">Basket Feeder</a><br />by Grandma Pearl</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Best Foods for Attracting Finches:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nyjer (Thistle) seed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Black Oil Sunflower seed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Peanut Hearts</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Suet</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">White Proso Millet</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fruit</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cracked Corn</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rock Salt or Salt Block</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sugar Water (hummingbird nectar)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>If you only have room for one or two feeders,</b> or your bird feeding
budget is small, choose the tube-style feeders:
one for thistle seed and one for black oil sunflower seed. You may also wish to add a heavy dish in
which to put a few small pieces of apples that have been coated in sugar
water. What a treat for your finches to
enjoy when it's cold outside!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A block of salt placed on the ground, or a handful of rock salt
scattered under the feeders, will also please your chatty little finches. You can also toss handfuls of sunflower seed
over the snow. As they forage, they will pick up water from the snow to help with their digestion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCB-4Z-BEV_Ja9FmV01Tc6kxwUoeW1dtfSUEH4hzgDFVgarUI4E7LGxcgR7nHDH8shxz6x0_QMNaiH1BXB46HxIfgpFLdsGVKcOhEb-G5wkslXPBJ1F-alaBb_KAwxITrQ7yGPguAXoH0/s1600/gold+finches+patroling+the+ground+for+seeds+cropped+and+resized+for+blog.jpg" height="346" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Goldfinches foraging for sunflower seeds in the snow.<br />by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCB-4Z-BEV_Ja9FmV01Tc6kxwUoeW1dtfSUEH4hzgDFVgarUI4E7LGxcgR7nHDH8shxz6x0_QMNaiH1BXB46HxIfgpFLdsGVKcOhEb-G5wkslXPBJ1F-alaBb_KAwxITrQ7yGPguAXoH0/s1600/gold+finches+patroling+the+ground+for+seeds+cropped+and+resized+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All birds need a source of grit, or tiny stones that they use in their
crops to help grind up their food. They
don't have the stomach acids we do, so that is how their food is broken down
for use in their bodies. You can find a
small bag of bird sand or grit at the pet store. It's an inexpensive way to help out all your
birds, especially in the wintertime when snow covers the ground where they
would normally find the fine grit they need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Make sure to keep your tube feeders very clean. If you should find mold in the seed tubes,
dump them out immediately. Then clean
your feeders with a solution of 9 parts of warm water to 1 part of household
bleach. This will kill any bacteria that
would otherwise cause harm to your birds.
Make sure the tube feeder is thoroughly dry before refilling and
re-hanging. By the way, a long-handled
narrow <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1kpxCAb" target="_blank">brush</a></span> is useful for cleaning tube
feeders.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Mold </b>is also a sign that birds are not eating as much seed as you have
put out. Try starting with a smaller
amount of seeds in a tube feeder until your finch flock expands as the word
gets out around the neighborhood!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Also, don't allow seeds to accumulate under the feeders. Mold and bacteria from droppings can
develop. Finches love to forage on the
ground, and you don't want them to get sick or worse. I use a leaf vacuum to suck up all those
spent bird seeds shells; then I toss them into the garbage. It isn't wise to use them as compost because
sunflower seeds in particular do not get along well with other plants. In short, they poison them, which can cause
some nearby plants to be deformed or die altogether<span style="color: red;">. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Enjoy your fascinating flocks of finches. I guarantee they will put a smile on your
face!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank"> </a> </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://hub.me/afrnU"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finches Come in all the colors of the rainbow</span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://pearlsbackporchscrapbook.blogspot.com/2014/02/flocks-of-finches.html" target="_blank">Flocks of Finches</a></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2014/01/make-easy-basket-bird-feeder.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Make An Easy Basket Feeder</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://hub.me/afj08" target="_blank">Easy Ways to Landscape under Bird Feeders</a> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How to <a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/12/basic-suet.html" target="_blank">Make Your Own Suet</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-importance-of-providing-water-for.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Importance of Providing Water for Birds</span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-75791564282172964492014-02-26T09:08:00.000-08:002014-02-26T09:10:15.592-08:00Do Birds Get Angry?<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEges_tXmKdrsCXjxyjV4w0MhrSUc3jh2UmWqltFWk14IajXhUiIIeqDSdsgqn8rUpzFvI77uhl5rMCAcwhk4VQT-0bC4qtcEkE1l7SnbOR7m17OxILi94hJAKtvAxIKa2YNTaoChL6koK0/s1600/barn+owl+in+offensive+mode+by+oregon+dept+of+flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEges_tXmKdrsCXjxyjV4w0MhrSUc3jh2UmWqltFWk14IajXhUiIIeqDSdsgqn8rUpzFvI77uhl5rMCAcwhk4VQT-0bC4qtcEkE1l7SnbOR7m17OxILi94hJAKtvAxIKa2YNTaoChL6koK0/s1600/barn+owl+in+offensive+mode+by+oregon+dept+of+flickr.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Owl is Angry!<br />from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/odfw/" target="_blank">Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife</a></td></tr>
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Have you ever been dive-bombed by an angry bird? Were
you ever a witness to one bird attacking another? You better believe birds get angry! They become agitated in several different
situations, and to diverse degrees; most notably in defense of their:</div>
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<li>Territory</li>
<li>Family</li>
<li>Food Source or Sources</li>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A tufted titmouse has defined his territory by
declaring his claim from the treetops of that area. In doing so, he’s attracted the attention of
a potential mate. She likes his vocalizations,
and the cut of his jib. Then in flies
another male tufted titmouse; this will never do! Our intrepid little friend got there first . . . <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-Real-Birds-Get-Angry?&id=8345505" target="_blank">Find out what </a>happens </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pkUjA0SIEFSNEFdD4j7oIIf0M9edkbcKycEDrHgPf9t-z7umih4gXLPyBksWYZX3i8Nrumlo6cv42bdqhNsR1w4WZD5RGVC13dOFdFiTMDFbVm36X87yd2T0sejMmwiF8F-YQVdZIyw/s1600/tufted+titmouse+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pkUjA0SIEFSNEFdD4j7oIIf0M9edkbcKycEDrHgPf9t-z7umih4gXLPyBksWYZX3i8Nrumlo6cv42bdqhNsR1w4WZD5RGVC13dOFdFiTMDFbVm36X87yd2T0sejMmwiF8F-YQVdZIyw/s1600/tufted+titmouse+resized.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tufted Titmouse</div>
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by <a href="http://pearlsbackporchscrapbook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></div>
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<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-Real-Birds-Get-Angry?&id=8345505" target="_blank">Knowing When to Back Off: Markers only birds can see</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-3191429060199011942014-02-21T16:21:00.000-08:002014-02-21T16:21:47.923-08:00Don't Toss Those Egg Shells--Give Them to Your Wild Birds! <div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
Birds Need Calcium Just Like Humans</h3>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSND4zC1g_nEMGvBLoSSNvs42PqzuP0tr-A2vu1jvzLzI7wyMVc_7oMUXlG1b_CMpxsUahtnXfap5lWx4yWgu7x4gu8rxyEbO5pDfZhLDBL0xOnJKe8LLeH1IlSnNmGT-YhsYRax7JJ6M/s1600/chicken+egg+shells+rinsed+and+dried.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSND4zC1g_nEMGvBLoSSNvs42PqzuP0tr-A2vu1jvzLzI7wyMVc_7oMUXlG1b_CMpxsUahtnXfap5lWx4yWgu7x4gu8rxyEbO5pDfZhLDBL0xOnJKe8LLeH1IlSnNmGT-YhsYRax7JJ6M/s1600/chicken+egg+shells+rinsed+and+dried.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Egg Shells that have been rinsed and dried.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This important mineral is essential for normal bone growth, muscle, nerve
and brain function. Low levels of
calcium in a female's body can lead to problems as the eggs form. This deficiency can also lead to smaller clutches,
beak deformities and other skeletal problems.
Spring is a critical time for sufficient calcium in a female bird's
body. Also, as her newly-hatched baby
birds begin to develop, they need the calcium for growth spurts. Powerful flight muscles develop well when
enough dietary calcium is present.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But as my wonderful blue jays can attest, autumn is a time when calcium
reserves need to be at the ready. I
regularly add my egg shells to my <u><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/06/easy-wheelbarrow-herb-and-vegetable.html" target="_blank">wheelbarrow herbgarden</a></span>,</u> and have spied at least<span style="color: red;"> </span>6
<a href="http://pearlsbackporchscrapbook.blogspot.com/p/pictures-of-blue-jay-birds.html" target="_blank">blue jays </a>taking turns grabbing the egg shells from that garden! I'm guessing they need the calcium to fortify
them for the colder months. I know that blue jays love to rob eggs from other birds' nests; perhaps they thought that it was just a huge
'nest' full of eggs!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO PREPARE EGGS:</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSe7h7BE9aGQvPoqj1U33zfrq9BKnxbvNEVcej7c3ocr4t658GKWhp2vF-m_Pyx9IXEqY-tmJNBWZHYnHPtQ41Dbc3_rZXoh2AymuoVNqwZhMJQqDWjfH84vwAxQ1amqGTKCdlX_ce6xY/s1600/what+you+need+to+prepare+chicken+eggs+for+wild+birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSe7h7BE9aGQvPoqj1U33zfrq9BKnxbvNEVcej7c3ocr4t658GKWhp2vF-m_Pyx9IXEqY-tmJNBWZHYnHPtQ41Dbc3_rZXoh2AymuoVNqwZhMJQqDWjfH84vwAxQ1amqGTKCdlX_ce6xY/s1600/what+you+need+to+prepare+chicken+eggs+for+wild+birds.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It helps if you put a kitchen towel under the baggie. Some tiny small pieces may pop through the bag!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Zip-type baggie</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rolling pin</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Kitchen towel</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Empty, dry chicken eggs</span></li>
</ul>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">HOW TO PREPARE CHICKEN EGG SHELLS TO GIVE TO WILD BIRDS:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rinse each egg shell inside, then set aside to dry.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once the egg shells are dry, add them to a large plastic zip bag.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Use a rolling pin to crush the egg shells, turning the bag over several times. You're looking for tiny pieces the birds can easily ingest.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Store the baggie in the fridge until you are ready to serve the shells to your birds.</span></li>
</ol>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtFkBO5dHxJpB1JxLWfPTnVNzAw_3acS_dQRAzkd6DgH6Hrq9G2O3zGKc6XcYetYXYnQZwH6FGxFOpyWuEIKPHblKUqyKG1ALHCUbQ6UZ_g6_sedJyhXLaE6UPsGJkw4M-2PK3Hd3Sgw/s1600/chicken+egg+shells+crushed+with+rolling+pin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtFkBO5dHxJpB1JxLWfPTnVNzAw_3acS_dQRAzkd6DgH6Hrq9G2O3zGKc6XcYetYXYnQZwH6FGxFOpyWuEIKPHblKUqyKG1ALHCUbQ6UZ_g6_sedJyhXLaE6UPsGJkw4M-2PK3Hd3Sgw/s1600/chicken+egg+shells+crushed+with+rolling+pin.jpg" height="312" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crushed egg shells are now ready to give to your wild birds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's a quick video from youtube.com/user/SmellLikeDirt, which also shows how
to easily prepare the egg shells for your wild birds. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://youtu.be/GiNRNw7yfE8">http://youtu.be/GiNRNw7yfE8</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>The shells can be added to a platform or tray-type feeder</b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>If you like scrambled eggs</b>, hard-boiled, or even eggs over easy, remember your wild birds this spring. Cook an egg for them. Chop up the egg and add some of your crushed shells to the mixture, then stand back and enjoy watching the birds gobble them up! You will be ensuring that the next generation of backyard birds has enough calcium, as well as protein, to start out right.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://pearlsbackporchscrapbook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></span><br />
Want more fun ideas for helping your backyard birds? Check out <a href="http://pearlsbackporchscrapbook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pearl's Backporch Scrapbook</a><br />
<a href="http://pearlsbackporchscrapbook.blogspot.com/p/free-birding-apps.html" target="_blank">Free Bird Identification Apps</a><br />
<a href="http://pearlsbackporchscrapbook.blogspot.com/p/my-homemade-bird-treat-recipes-are-easy.html" target="_blank">Fun Homemade Bird Treat Recipes</a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://pearlsbackporchscrapbook.blogspot.com/2014/02/make-nesting-ball-for-birds.html" target="_blank">How to Make a Bird Nesting Ball!</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-61549632953803934182014-01-27T08:47:00.001-08:002014-01-27T08:54:19.348-08:00Top 5 Best Foods to Help Birds Stay Warm<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jm1G0MaPKuV2GZgZUyDjvCDi-LLuv1u4wWfXiMG-jo6JUU4KXH2D5cK_I_SXkHKqr624Nm8pxEU_m5e8LsU9q29JjgIRXlnxKy2Xm-9NRy9wyjE81_-NZ0XhYx_youbSzVv2zQcRISM/s1600-h/003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="003" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83zQCOzx8jnWZ0a7Qta5IzBUjXQBSKMby0EMf_KRAMxUCO5wlDxOl4CYcQdqj6jkhbr7pN7PZBrshnOzxZ7SD2_d-KWERSfFMu6tDQ7Hr7UFxrYFcZCnoRGo2JBgDdaOm44wuyZpQOoc/?imgmax=800" height="484" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="003" width="644" /></a><br />
These beautiful <a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/04/blue-jays-eating-bread.html" target="_blank">blue jays</a> are suckers for pieces of bread crust, or day old bakery items like rolls, whole grain bread, etc. My chickadees and juncos also enjoy smaller pieces of the same items. Fat and starches help birds maintain their metabolic rates. Bakery products should not be offered exclusively, though. Here’s a list of the top five foods to help wild birds stay warm even in the coldest weather:<br />
<strong>1.</strong> <strong> Black oil sunflower seed</strong><br />
<strong>2. Suet</strong><br />
<strong>3. Peanut Butter, offered on a </strong><a href="http://amzn.to/1gS1syq" target="_blank"><strong>special feeder</strong></a><strong>, or slathered on bark</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeYi1wE8tinA5z56FYWw7kuis5_Nn0SiIM3cKXSZuyW-ISQp4OGDNB8OzQB58vozNJ7i8v3OkR187oal9DrpgHYvkFKXpoFMPNbklJViMuUq9aN3_x_xrWre9sbLGRZ-I3fpDTmkWQOY/s1600-h/downy%252520woodpecker%252520enjoying%252520peanut%252520butter%252520log%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="downy woodpecker enjoying peanut butter log" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NpA4ajdW8neBGyhGB9MmbCMe0sXKD2Wd8m1XDW-1pmVNijIzxwjYIQuSELqFgv2XVe8Lciq3oWvF0DQmiHSRknxOFrlaeGmHf_ZLad-WG4XGz0lLQFTiimfhl2beuHYsvN1ldag20dc/?imgmax=800" height="484" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="downy woodpecker enjoying peanut butter log" width="644" /></a><br />
<strong>4. Bacon grease soaked up by pieces of white or whole grain bread</strong><br />
<strong>5. </strong><a href="http://amzn.to/1b0TRXE" target="_blank"><strong>Fruit & Nut blend</strong></a><strong> available commercially</strong><br />
Because many birds can easily assimilate black oil sunflower seeds, I have listed it first. It contains all kinds of good fats, and vitamins and minerals to help maintain birds flight feathers as well as their metabolism.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWiJUXnBS0t32El190zI0lxAssNbDTL6_LwfmvjFmklM6Rcj2ZvG1PqWnqoZB9GQrfzEgYfGW49qZCA-I5WzyiSLtbluWNeHkR27F_rMA0iDO9wLCFG2-98vCYlvyDtcSnWwzuPbsACA/s1600-h/gold%252520finches%252520feeding%252520on%252520ground%252520resized%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gold finches feeding on ground resized" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKu5G5RISpcn395c8e6g9FNLawDQQ3xySD66S_Dke3BGTi2dPpcgkN1GeBQ4WEBKDHlE5L3rNE9rv7RfJ88tWFSuMr7Hs3XxE8PBetlWLRw4uGQBqt3-hf76CiIbSTlt4kUkfjuh8HsP8/?imgmax=800" height="342" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="gold finches feeding on ground resized" width="644" /></a><br />
The above image shows some of my Goldfinches in their winter plumage. On top of the fresh snow I often toss sunflower seeds, which they seem to relish!<br />
You can make your own suet, or buy it at your local big box hardware store, garden center or wild bird food center. I have also found it in my grocery store and at large discount retail stores. It isn’t hard to make your own, though. And I find it more cost effective. <a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/12/basic-suet.html" target="_blank">Here’s How</a><br />
If you wish to offer peanut butter, you need to remember that it is oily and will leave a residue on any surfaces it contacts. Slather it on tree bark that you don’t mind becoming a little discolored. Keep in mind that other critters can easily find it, like my persistent red and grey squirrels, flying squirrels, raccoons, possums and mice. Any tree-climbing animal will adore you!<br />
Every now and then I crave bacon—real bacon, not the turkey kind! When I do, I break up pieces of bread into the still warm grease. Once it has cooled completely, I serve it to my birds on a platform feeder. It doesn’t last long! Birds love bacon just as much as people.<br />
The fruit and nut blend I buy includes unsalted shelled peanuts, canary seed, grit (which is essential for bird digestion), pieces of dried cherries, raisins, white proso millet**, black oil and grey striped sunflower seeds, dried pumpkin seeds and bits of shelled walnuts. A little goes a long way, so I offer a small amount each day in my basket feeder. Blue jays, finches, chickadees, tufted titmice and woodpeckers all stop by many times during the day for this special treat.<br />
**White Proso Millet is a favorite with my <a href="http://hub.me/afyAL" target="_blank">Dark-Eyed Juncos.</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0ieiezvbWGGfw-K_GwlUqsAyJ-m72DgkRa7upiZ6icvjaShVoZTAf73tA059Yn4VjPepxfS_DsXnZhDccBUB01Rbnu5TtbbWbiwAqBUz4v29yGMFScxafKFm8iqg0Lld_4nuYddE2F4/s1600-h/DSCF0012%252520%252520female%252520junco%252520resized%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0012 female junco resized" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9h-E8tnvH1HpojJ8uqRUoAdTKM4vb7rqcNeOAwdjkCLTqAgnnTYOYj-OJa1-jPTq0hKgJkd71hZwcmjw1lnCjsNdWMUvWrpbwEhygBaOP9rAQx5fU6jSURKNTINqwqwcVbQqocwt1bg4/?imgmax=800" height="484" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCF0012 female junco resized" width="644" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJRdaoSJUvwUUivPXQCzwp9t4WV6LccgnRQVYF1HUGmRjNIdtg6GzQeRi06Yhw1AWGbSRnSp3hkwC3rti8FyhTSKypCtc_aQ3sOhfDNgUIzOp9lMzQn1cPlA9lurayaIukZPLdPnGkDw/s1600-h/bird%252520feeder%252520basket%252520attracts%252520its%252520first%252520visitor%252520a%252520chickadee%252520but%252520out%252520of%252520focus%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bird feeder basket attracts its first visitor a chickadee but out of focus" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OzJfsaqG8kKNXeowEHQjOrd4fdThrqQUOG5C-6pWcYu798XB7CE_Y9jqiNX8oyKF7bWMphCaCJbPajxhkl419POLTv21JJywnqNNhaL3wAxA-dlF7HW9q2I357Pq9rAayVXOskWbzoI/?imgmax=800" height="200" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bird feeder basket attracts its first visitor a chickadee but out of focus" width="260" /></a><br />
This basket feeder is easy to make, and it attracts a variety of wild birds all day long. <br />
<a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2014/01/make-easy-basket-bird-feeder.html#comments" target="_blank">How to Make an Easy Basket Feeder</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i1Nj7v0IlJqTlqnw-fbyNmeA8rFvDyv-JZUQAlubDPNPJtngXpV8oBU8oKfTYNpF7dGkBMkTBf3SyI3cbwoHZ1PpgyYnmJ6lUrFU83o-rZ7spWmKtT_5JKT0G03X_efHLGaQexLkZPE/s1600-h/chickadee%252520perched%252520on%252520bird%252520feeder%252520basket%252520excellent%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chickadee perched on bird feeder basket excellent" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIrdmmvsqJjVKUT5wRm5cHG3cnhf4cNwTuQeboUtqaYPXRS-XsBbJgvFK79T1VCzPN0HxAHnyKuDGC2aWJjjnIbvrzE2RXbIbbahXJcUIFGBLOGEEjsBymHZC3VuHdKYMfiTs7H4QfZs/?imgmax=800" height="484" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="chickadee perched on bird feeder basket excellent" width="644" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/12/basic-suet.html" target="_blank">How to Make Suet</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2014/01/make-easy-basket-bird-feeder.html" target="_blank">How to Make an Easy Bird Feeder Basket</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1gS1syq" target="_blank">Peanut Butter Feeder</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1b0TRXE" target="_blank">Fruit & Nut Blend</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><a href="http://amzn.to/Lfx7Ni" target="_blank">White Proso Millet</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><a href="http://hub.me/afyAL" target="_blank">The Juncos I Have Come to Know</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/04/blue-jays-eating-bread.html" target="_blank">Beautiful Blue Jays</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-46525069103433260082014-01-19T12:42:00.001-08:002014-01-20T12:55:53.231-08:00Make an Easy Basket Bird Feeder<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfziNGOLuQzFJ78XRpVNDi4HhodcwezIsAJVgytzFZ0txuUWkMwF00lLFaXkWdqldSw9l5MA4-gAvb9wvwoGeomHD2uzBEKC3-EoUsN-4CAznmrZEQUx6GMdglbJB2sYVLbo3lO5eiPc/s1600-h/another%252520view%252520of%252520chickadee%252520on%252520bird%252520feeder%252520basket%252520excellent%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="another view of chickadee on bird feeder basket excellent" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="another view of chickadee on bird feeder basket excellent" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvqPrqdk3KOsln2tTL4-O1hmOxugWBzQFcRc9G006D-s7-3Rm19sWm_05z2-olY7EF-t2RXb1Ym0T1xqbqyFiAgvpvX86MOqj2nt0NlXD8Wfb4l0wCR7RfCPxrAZvuvYFtt-qE4P2iO8/?imgmax=800" width="609" height="555"></a></p> <p>The snow was falling hard and fast. Accumulations were predicted to reach an inch per hour, if not more. Apparently my birds knew about this ahead of time, because there were dozens of them lining the tree branches awaiting their turn at the feeders.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoxiMzJzgbgAQ9ST736rn31LnakPkI-9b_HJrRvkbU4FLjN3R2spAXbi2asuOPAJ-S3mq5xqADOIQFiQycwWzzXIi2ufOx4zIXKt3kTzQ9Vnv0Hu5bPYgEZFBEMNKSwuvqyoKXHSgdKc/s1600-h/finches%252520on%252520feeders%252520and%252520in%252520trees%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="finches on feeders and in trees" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="finches on feeders and in trees" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIUBZ-FDm9Mm7uzMCeA0tgVlRTpNZLExY-BpXNAznZWf4aainabxVAJ-gr68eetQ-AhPtdxaELZCPxsuI_eSTGiyDGcpco6IsnfIiim0dWfmIfq0hvkDY7JDnRwH59djwBapNXB3CnjE/?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p>I needed to add another place for them to eat, but I had no more feeders handy. Keep in mind that there are 8 more feeders in other parts of my yard that were also filled with woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, blue jays, juncos and more finches, among others!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJcrbLx9tZYQ9RZlmJpFSDwzZY8raa7_6sLglSk4plxsVzDOAcHIj_s9hLvB6-jo9P6uZbNBdb070W4f2DKUHUY1zV1DwmuDkebUVeG_MnaJXl4d-Ioda510xR212kGBiqvHAaveWenk/s1600-h/close%252520up%252520of%252520basket%252520to%252520use%252520for%252520bird%252520feeder%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="close up of basket to use for bird feeder" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="close up of basket to use for bird feeder" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-WJ8zQjYzQWDdDv-5dlj3dwcA7ca0Xjeo4KdjVONhLqoAvmaR18PTHWPYJt43T8S3V57ST-zzRhCF01966rN4LakX-SVUfhyWBxiZPmSWjzT29Vte3Pv-BiQMdzsgB1Qn5jsrJJN9e8/?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p>Scratching my head, I finally came up with a solution that I had stashed in my sunroom—an old basket with a long handle, and not too deep. The perfect bird feeder because it was rather loosely woven, and provided plenty of holes for drainage.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJ3Me0sIT8O-2M_NNgAKStBAtv3Wh3WK0rKLRt8Xdr961E_MilOy0EwVRtu4BsZeic0vyiqKDrbS9ZMO12YpUkGQkGXV1lj-UTGG0FhVRUsoRZ0sntAHCoKIRZd6RCROXspG79Sqysj8/s1600-h/closeup%252520of%252520bird%252520feeder%252520basket%252520with%252520aluminum%252520plate%252520filled%252520with%252520seeds%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="closeup of bird feeder basket with aluminum plate filled with seeds" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="closeup of bird feeder basket with aluminum plate filled with seeds" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsl3wZt_gK4TDlr9nWh6OSigSFSCH6qBuL4PYPxVr6I6jEzoVKraLrHOetJ8HNGw7t0ij7inebiUhKQaz2YXEys4gVhvyad7J9S3TyW8TgUVZVJfb6diwaj4w8TJ2lYZvIvuL65nZAcY4/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a>But the holes in the basket were obviously way too big to keep my bird seed from falling through. Aha! Also in my sunroom was an aluminum pie pan I had used under a large pot at one time. I washed the pie pan thoroughly and dried it so that the seeds would not mold. The pie pan needed drainage holes, so I hunted up my trusty hammer and a small nail. I punched several holes in the aluminum pan, and filled the bottom with black oil sunflower seeds and a little bit of fruit and nut seed mixture.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtKUNO9x2YCN4biM-qJezeRy9zPuUYcLYZcagxVQY-T71M4XMNLdaJJgtZOfPBIFhzErxwQul_XxWyH4YdIj55qGFQFUdTiIq0BPjpDLx_DAyDD36ij4Z5gDmrsfvsuLSGLg1IWtMZnc/s1600-h/basket%252520bird%252520feeder%252520hanging%252520from%252520clothesline%252520with%252520weather%252520shield%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="basket bird feeder hanging from clothesline with weather shield" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="basket bird feeder hanging from clothesline with weather shield" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0chOG3EvS377ABIPYnuOKv5dIvhrfzLP5v3ZYy-4vgtbvXiUMSePtZ2R96zfeqToz42DmLebkrkI2wGvIQrUS0sJYxfeQOBgqQ6GFe4j97AOO2vMSr0P4N1NxFQnFxfgpYFHieB4vuN4/?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p>I looped a flexible piece of wire under the handle and up through the hole in a <a href="http://amzn.to/1dKfeAM" target="_blank">weather shield</a> I had used before for other open bird feeders. That shield works very well to keep snow and rain from soaking the seeds. Then I finished the loop over my clothesline. If I had had another bird feeder pole, I would have used that instead, but the clothesline was very handy and easy to see from my living room window.</p> <p>An alternative to the <a href="http://amzn.to/KmA3r3" target="_blank">weather shield</a> might be another larger aluminum pie pan with a hole punched in the middle, or even an old aluminum pizza pan. Anything that will keep the seeds dry so the birds can enjoy them will work.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvbwhBlDvnwQZEFnWC571pzMPAiLVPQo8PgmXqae9GTXjdBQ5mew11tKuwavV6m8kfjZIqa7Oiq-Ss-ZpNE1C6qjq9vhAW6U0PMNejWTDG_itfKeHIltWTXr_Rvszif1UfpklLeAk9go/s1600-h/gold%252520finches%252520enjoying%252520their%252520basket%252520bird%252520feeder%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="gold finches enjoying their basket bird feeder" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="gold finches enjoying their basket bird feeder" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlmpUeERMMDNV1ZTpe9vzJUqsD2PHgIiONhmN6fkgHP5jF6r3c2g6xafwX62irvQaGqUu1YzrXGWNkvS6i1MT_qr5cuKXrLWj8YujGI04gQMIJW0Sx21X9DuD4wpPYp0fkiFdy8VHPlQ/?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p>I was very pleased to see some of my goldfinches taking advantage of their new food source. I have even had woodpeckers jump in for a seed or nut and then take off to the nearest tree with its treat. I spent a lot of time that day watching my birds out the window. There were breaks in the snowfall at times, but it snowed heavily other times. The birds didn’t seem to mind, and continued to visit all the feeders. It tickled me to see that I had provided yet another good spot for them to eat.</p> <p>So if you have a <a href="http://amzn.to/1cJb2wm" target="_blank">basket</a>, an aluminum pie plate, hammer, nail, pizza pan and a bit of wire, you have the makings for a fun bird feeder!</p> <p>Enjoy!</p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS"><a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS"><a href="http://hub.me/aePrf" target="_blank">How to Make a Bird Nesting Basket</a></font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS"><a href="http://hub.me/afWyR" target="_blank">Make a Bird Feeder Wreath</a></font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS"><a href="http://hub.me/afJml" target="_blank">Are Your Bird Feeders Ready for Winter?</a></font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS"><a href="http://hub.me/aepmj" target="_blank">How to Feed Birds Without Going Broke</a></font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-18652605686679770992014-01-01T13:17:00.000-08:002014-01-01T13:24:53.273-08:00Dark-Eyed Slate-colored Junco<p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAOqAJ8TkPdATe4K_bfuvZQkHrtGXbejbdjbz3oLcA_ktEIVDW3pTfPFEVwS9f2fORqTGZ7dtEC4s05b41q8g6UKBYy_6ZWe6A8cFsvCzBkqAbyfVbcx4n-YwkD78KpBde1FMMcSpFe8/s1600-h/DSCF0011%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCF0011" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCF0011" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2V031bleDam0q9wuwwDboQn8wrj8f7SsgMT-xh1rOW4gxRA7YVORZ_ki5D-18G0jOWjQerhLgLliUXoNYkAhnTbSQoLYqxLfOXQBSBqbQRk2-zmXNnNuu9vwKgW4lyN5ZYZpjg_OM0E/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><strong>Meet my Juncos from the Northeast U.S.!</strong> These energetic ground feeding birds are with me year round. They are most comfortable on the ground; juncos even prefer to nest on the ground, although they won’t turn down any opportunity. A star decoration at my front door area makes a fine home for my juncos, even though it is roughly 7 feet off the ground. Juncos have a cool defense mechanism should a predator venture too close. They flash their tails, which have bright white edges on either side, as they take flight. It is enough to momentarily confuse the interloper so the junco can fly away safely.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAKJU6DD8SQSKZOnULOm-NzWtzR3ThXIBbNySnFTGPdLej4LrRZG8HMfv6ZOSWT4BnSvYcSLIrt4yZNWxgQgwq5r8I9zhGPwLOdClAsjdpIQqGsqyGyHLgkQS0lFSZbizXh_1MuWjeEM/s1600-h/goldfinches%252520and%252520juncos%252520picking%252520up%252520seeds%252520in%252520the%252520snow%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="goldfinches and juncos picking up seeds in the snow" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="goldfinches and juncos picking up seeds in the snow" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0rs6ju7Uqh2F4t7XbzA-6JpRYu1uZsipJ9yqnP6Ng1nAqMe_W420ZYJWqbmwEhYA_sSLdLFYuDGzYBvklExb0H6apBN4lvgDyG_7Rp3vXeyrd6uj4rSBUqp-GvAmF6xVuaZVAgINrvw/?imgmax=800" width="451" height="355"></a></p> <p>Juncos devour black oil sunflower seeds when I toss them on the ground. They mingle easily with the goldfinches, who sport darker plumage this time of year. Notice that juncos (6”) are a little larger than the finches (4.5”).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoM3mp9cTm92ax3gE5Pp5kvSgrZ1aDwkBmMBNIKqmellVVf5YtbyzDX1IGtXorPHaPbMoxUUKHkJAj9yPyLzgPyAMbOclhUPMQowlwchzOydTlrI4A3PIUrP3j_TNT_ImAWYGU-Ibf4t4/s1600-h/DSCF0012%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCF0012" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCF0012" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIxvGH208HAwX5OVTq8lnx-ox_JU-MbIBwkx7tRfkFsUvYOFEtsipjcqd_kUlk98Lum6QzWUa6moLse7Btxqll-FIDEQUNAcxe4s0_n8IGaxjAajBOA5k7jKWoUh0dj5MohQkBUS2uZw/?imgmax=800" width="466" height="379"></a></p> <p>You can plainly see the brown on this female’s back, which distinguishes her from the male, whose coloration is a darker gray without the brown. Both she and he have very white bellies, helping them to blend in with the snowy background. Birds fluff up their feathers as a way to fend off the cold. This action creates air pockets that efficiently act as a thermal barrier, keeping their body heat in and the cold air out. </p> <p>Listen for a distinctive ‘<em>smack, smack’</em> interspersed with little twittering sounds, as they socialize with one another. I love their songs, which remind me of lyrical sparrows, with lovely musical notes.</p> <p>My juncos perch in smaller trees and shrubs, under bushes, and in open areas of grass. They love insects as well as seeds, and seem to be especially fond of small juicy caterpillars. Their beaks are strong enough to crack the seeds they love, as well as manage almost any insect that comes along.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqinLQ5dnoXKmeqvB3klrkzChaqteWOZiBUeSRTEqTp3qG5C6a2OGtN7Db7P-8v3i4Xrl3ut93Hj3NESw9hLYJ96qkM6LGz95Xv-1YgoSy4Oif1H51RU-Ni96eGLa4O82qDDGQ1gwvrY/s1600-h/male%252520junco%252520on%252520branch%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="male junco on branch" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="male junco on branch" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ssqkb_V8w2oPrExbOkUz8YoT6WXaZ0Lhb1m2DCoeP1VUgqz-2jRnmKyJjBziBoFjNPLlgD5Hq9V2Mh9fJ-atgT8k9QcXcQ6URaQPZDDlvXTIKFwhoCRNxclC01O7Vl6nhUfrJpLRqm8/?imgmax=800" width="390" height="426"></a></p> <p>This male junco likes to patrol my garden for insects. Because it is a fenced area, he often uses the posts to survey the territory. There is no need for pesticides because my friendly and beneficial birds are always on the case. I rely on them to keep my gardens pest free, which also keeps them well fed—it’s a win-win!</p> <p>Learn more about:</p> <p><font face="Americana BT"><a href="http://hub.me/afyAL" target="_blank">The Juncos I Have Come to Know</a></font></p> <p><font face="Americana BT"><a href="http://<iframe src="http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00931EKA8&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=8BDD7B&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>" target="_blank">Best Ground Feeder</a> for Juncos</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS"><strong><a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></strong></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-11808943667396042372013-12-31T11:05:00.001-08:002014-01-01T13:45:08.108-08:00Basic Suet<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Hjgv0MjeJ7BATrCKqM43aD6UT8Y-GSV0pgLCPl2vlsHkjuHNhf1DvW4-XNx0T9pLiWjtBit-GorL_7msPJ09s_WL5tWbDVI4Lo2jRZ7BkWc9GH3KBuCpZGszbPmU0y9jeFdeh9Sll9E/s1600/downy+woodpecker+on+suet+feeder+2+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Hjgv0MjeJ7BATrCKqM43aD6UT8Y-GSV0pgLCPl2vlsHkjuHNhf1DvW4-XNx0T9pLiWjtBit-GorL_7msPJ09s_WL5tWbDVI4Lo2jRZ7BkWc9GH3KBuCpZGszbPmU0y9jeFdeh9Sll9E/s1600/downy+woodpecker+on+suet+feeder+2+resized.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Downy Woodpecker enjoying home made suet<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Basic Homemade Suet</b> is easy to make and more economical than buying commercial suet cakes. Plus, you can be sure there are no harmful additives if you make it yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can find suet or beef fat trimmings at your local butcher shop, usually at a drastically reduced price. Or, you can trim the fat from meat you cook yourself--save the fat scraps in a container and keep refrigerated until you are ready to render them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wild bird supply stores carry plain suet cakes that have already been rendered. These can be used without any additions, or you can supplement them with bits of fruit, seeds or nutmeats to please your backyard birds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>If you choose to make your own suet from fat trimmings, here is the process:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Cut the fat into small pieces, or use a food processor or meat grinder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. In a deep saucepan, melt the fat OVER LOW HEAT. Don't rush this step! It is better to do this slowly than to risk a fire! Treat it with respect as you do any cooking oil or other fat on the stove.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Once the fat is completely melted, pour it slowly and carefully into molds or other containers. Remember that the unmolded product will need to fit into your particular suet feeders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Allow to cool and then refrigerate for several hours. Refrigeration causes the fat to solidify so it can be handled more easily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. If you decide to add other ingredients to the suet, do that before pouring the suet into containers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>These are some of the ingredients that I like to add:</b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">small pieces of nuts like peanuts, pecans or walnuts</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">black oil sunflower seed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">peanut butter</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cracked corn or corn meal</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">oats, wheat or white flour</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">raisins, apple or other small fruit pieces, currants</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some of the birds that visit my suet feeders:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">titmice, nuthatches, chickadees, woodpeckers</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More Homemade Bird Food:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/11/homemade-peanut-butter-bird-treat-recipe.html" target="_blank">Peanut Butter Treat</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hubpages.com/t/2b6412" target="_blank">Pine Cone Bird Feeder</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-make-mini-pumpkin-bird-feeder.html" target="_blank">Mini Pumpkin Bird Feeder</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hub.me/aepmj" target="_blank">Surprising Alternative Bird Foods</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1lAGEt9" target="_blank">Best Suet Feeder</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Learn More About:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_9458903"></span>Downy Woodpeckers<span id="goog_9458904"></span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/04/hairy-woodpeckers.html" target="_blank">Hairy Woodpeckers</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/04/red-bellied-woodpecker.html" target="_blank">Red-Bellied Woodpeckers</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-black-capped-chickadees-are-nesting.html" target="_blank">Black Capped Chickadees</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hub.me/aeLP5" target="_blank">White-Breasted Nuthatches</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-68019395516558549592013-12-30T13:54:00.000-08:002013-12-31T10:14:45.295-08:00White Violets, Narcissus, Serviceberry Blossoms: It's All About White!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8auLTXy770gclgg_xGr14c4AQvDwEBecoLszPIrQpoTC4Wz1hRky0q6hGA68O_PQ2BKJpPdoP03VDULZrWYynw03MUdvEid4aeTgRMv7DqVz2IdX4sOkY1fFQYqqw1dbZbUEWigyi-U/s1600/white+violet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8auLTXy770gclgg_xGr14c4AQvDwEBecoLszPIrQpoTC4Wz1hRky0q6hGA68O_PQ2BKJpPdoP03VDULZrWYynw03MUdvEid4aeTgRMv7DqVz2IdX4sOkY1fFQYqqw1dbZbUEWigyi-U/s320/white+violet.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicate white violets show their purple splashed throats.<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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Today it is all about the white I see in Nature.</h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">White violets are some of my earliest wildflowers to bloom. To the Victorians white violets meant modesty and innocence, honesty and humility; the religious
connotation is that of faithfulness and spiritual understanding, death and
resurrection.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All kinds of bees and bee flies find these dainty flowers irresistible!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKu5jMGl51T8oiCrFdNMosSxyiZh3t6aj36OYjVbjU1yep3wWI6l8ciGbJmICIj1xCrE7VPF-IQ3N88xkBI_LCN6ARbt37zGM6Xo0ULcVQWUUP3O04TD3dujtxr0wGknVrAGfIwTka10/s1600/hairy+woodpecker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKu5jMGl51T8oiCrFdNMosSxyiZh3t6aj36OYjVbjU1yep3wWI6l8ciGbJmICIj1xCrE7VPF-IQ3N88xkBI_LCN6ARbt37zGM6Xo0ULcVQWUUP3O04TD3dujtxr0wGknVrAGfIwTka10/s320/hairy+woodpecker.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Hairy Woodpecker enjoying a bountiful breakfast.<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This beautiful white and black male Hairy Woodpecker is looking over his ample choices for breakfast. I purchased a small bag of fruit and nut bird seed mix and combined it with regular black oil sunflower seeds. My birds are definitely enjoying the variety. I also occasionally add pieces of day-old bread as a special treat. Mr. Hairy obviously doesn't know what to choose first!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Coltsfoot, also known as coughwort,</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzl17RAiJ1wLwDP-HnoY2MdMofywDQnW06DVExHY-Zdljf2iWA1R-2DC7UvDd4iOYiWa0EOH_udaAYDydLvp1xYnfKtZmS7s2gRnKTndb3pPGvGOoUoMbtPNtzZSNIgC4ziCtct9Tdjo/s1600/Coltsfoot+seed+head+soft+fluff+for+nesting+birds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzl17RAiJ1wLwDP-HnoY2MdMofywDQnW06DVExHY-Zdljf2iWA1R-2DC7UvDd4iOYiWa0EOH_udaAYDydLvp1xYnfKtZmS7s2gRnKTndb3pPGvGOoUoMbtPNtzZSNIgC4ziCtct9Tdjo/s320/Coltsfoot+seed+head+soft+fluff+for+nesting+birds.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">is used as an expectorant for clearing the lungs of congestion. It is often combined with other herbs such as marshmallow or horehound to relieve symptoms of asthma, bronchitis and colds and flu. But recent research has connected the use of this herb to liver disease.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Coltsfoot was probably brought to North America from Europe by the colonists because of its usefulness as an herbal solution to lung problems.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This herb grows in groups in waste areas in early spring, and blooms even before the dandelions emerge and flower. It is one of the first nectar sources used by honeybees. Prized by birds as a soft lining for their nests, it appears at just the right time in the spring!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Its leaves resemble a horse's hoof, and fully mature only after the flower has withered. All parts of the plant were used medicinally. Coltsfoot as a healing resource goes back to the ancient times of Pliny and Galen.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1HgfV3q4xE_y5fPkX0q0JpnO5a8iq-uLqBHngnVvCnvfgyRxXsl8p9en_Qwf5sxVb-gHsXeAF2vXgQOj2JohU_kO-JOd6qR2aa7tjOkwsyl1PG_4J4FyvgrLB2IO_LW_yxYEpVPqkEw/s1600/arabis+snowcap+perennial.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1HgfV3q4xE_y5fPkX0q0JpnO5a8iq-uLqBHngnVvCnvfgyRxXsl8p9en_Qwf5sxVb-gHsXeAF2vXgQOj2JohU_kO-JOd6qR2aa7tjOkwsyl1PG_4J4FyvgrLB2IO_LW_yxYEpVPqkEw/s320/arabis+snowcap+perennial.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Arabis</i> 'Snowcrop' perennial<br />
by Grandma Pearl<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Arabis 'Snowcrop' is one of my favorite little springtime perennials. The delicate 4-petaled flowers are cold hardy and remain on the plant a long time. It grows in partial shade without a problem, and it is deer resistant. Snowcrop prefers slightly moist soil, but will tolerate dry conditions as well. Compact and showy, it makes a very pretty addition to a perennial garden.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEsDU2LEY9buCd-8h5oY4ujz5G_WZ7TCouJgOdoXLWfRbLIWEc9ZJU_mQqpBrb8p9nGeosXisiAvlY4gnAdJRZKhYV-Gp9mBOqnZbt4nO-49o3j7eLa-MRqKnjukmRXgq-Ew8KhG9vCo/s1600/white+narcissus+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEsDU2LEY9buCd-8h5oY4ujz5G_WZ7TCouJgOdoXLWfRbLIWEc9ZJU_mQqpBrb8p9nGeosXisiAvlY4gnAdJRZKhYV-Gp9mBOqnZbt4nO-49o3j7eLa-MRqKnjukmRXgq-Ew8KhG9vCo/s320/white+narcissus+cropped.jpg" height="400" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White narcissus<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lovely and familiar, my narcissus stand proudly against the cool spring breezes without batting an eye! They are reliable harbingers of the season with their sunny yellow centers. Every day they greet me with a nod and a reflection of brilliant sunshine. The squirrels scurry back and forth in my bulb garden without causing any injury to these hardy narcissus. It is necessary to keep them behind a fence though, because the deer think they are just another part of the salad buffet around here!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rI9cXfSOotjUojFo_XsvTzcOpfpIoRY1Yil0G3-9u3-ovr-917Ap-btR_gUqUm85u_NyPsmp2EIQ-Z8XYyY6ODoaEmN7uE8T_OaytCPBSNtKwqvW06YvkABJdFoKR6M6ddJpTmo0m4k/s1600/serviceberry+tree+in+bloom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rI9cXfSOotjUojFo_XsvTzcOpfpIoRY1Yil0G3-9u3-ovr-917Ap-btR_gUqUm85u_NyPsmp2EIQ-Z8XYyY6ODoaEmN7uE8T_OaytCPBSNtKwqvW06YvkABJdFoKR6M6ddJpTmo0m4k/s320/serviceberry+tree+in+bloom.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serviceberry Tree in full bloom.<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The beautiful Serviceberry tree blooms with oceans of bright white flowers. It has other names: shadbush, shadblow and juneberry. A gorgeous addition to your landscape it produces edible fruits that birds love. The fruits resemble blueberries but have a very different flavor, and the seeds taste like almonds. Serviceberries start out red and change to blue as they ripen. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Use them in </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the same recipes where you would use blueberries, if the birds leave any for you! </span><br />
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Flowers bloom in May here, then fruits appear in June; which is also the time when shad (fish) start spawning, thus the alternative names.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWDgsjaGn7zeIML78HW1Om-hBr2UQUxBeO2skUPnIZ1VP5L260JuBI8GDrcv-FSPW5q_jHyzeMx8MvGfleenrOgwLusMYauPRgJNx4o-6KHSk3Adz0Ze-N3b4oBLWAN_bDz8WigNcomg/s1600/black+capped+chickadee+in+weigela+bush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWDgsjaGn7zeIML78HW1Om-hBr2UQUxBeO2skUPnIZ1VP5L260JuBI8GDrcv-FSPW5q_jHyzeMx8MvGfleenrOgwLusMYauPRgJNx4o-6KHSk3Adz0Ze-N3b4oBLWAN_bDz8WigNcomg/s320/black+capped+chickadee+in+weigela+bush.jpg" height="560" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Chickadee will soon be tending her nestlings.<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">White and black chickadees chat happily among themselves while busily tending their nests. My newest batch of chickadees should be hatching soon. Several days ago I saw this little bird with a beakful of dandelion fluff. I'm sure she used it to line her nest inside the bird house she has chosen for her babies' nursery. Both the male and female spent 2 days gathering materials to add to the loose grass cup they made. When the babies have hatched, I will attempt to carefully open the birdhouse and quietly take a picture of her brood.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDCUopOJPkOwPstl07JJRPs5w91Glk6jQiCjNu-O-3MgIfoOODIpPrylfjHLySmO_LhcHVZp1C44hS8RWS-Hzi3MEgyz0UgSMc37xvZ5v7I4s2J0giFex3wyagCpe9Ap3bm7-M3U9m24/s1600/cherry+blossom+closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDCUopOJPkOwPstl07JJRPs5w91Glk6jQiCjNu-O-3MgIfoOODIpPrylfjHLySmO_LhcHVZp1C44hS8RWS-Hzi3MEgyz0UgSMc37xvZ5v7I4s2J0giFex3wyagCpe9Ap3bm7-M3U9m24/s320/cherry+blossom+closeup.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry Blossom up close.<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: right;">My cherry blossoms never cease to take my breath away! Their delicate and fancy white petals surround a tiny pink rosette center. What a lovely cloud of blooms they produce! These are Nanking Cherries that I planted about ten years ago. Last year they were held back by a snowy cold snap. But this year they have recovered nicely. I should have enough fruit for a tasty cherry cobbler soon!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Quartz Rock<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have a collection of white quartz that I have found around here. This piece that is about the size of a hen's egg will be added to my others. It sparkles in the sunshine, but that doesn't really show up in this picture. I have also found some sandstone with mica flecks.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuthatch foraging under bird feeder<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love the little nuthatches with their white fronted tuxedo outfits! They are snappy dressers for sure. It's the contrast in colors that makes them so distinctive; that and their 'yank, yank,' call. Acrobatic and agile, they forage under the bird feeders for seeds, and up and down trees for insects of all kinds. They are year round visitors here, and always welcome in our neck of the woods!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></span><br />
original post 5/13<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nuthatches: </span><a href="http://hub.me/aeLP5" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Little Devil Down Birds</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/06/downy-woodpecker-youngsters.html" target="_blank"> Baby Downy Woodpeckers</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-51578386084564111182013-12-30T13:02:00.000-08:002013-12-30T13:02:08.772-08:00Best Bird House Pole and How to Install It<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAAUV7LnvpWWvGCTkhSWJYak1NUVgJGP11V77hRnLqym0F8etW6pZgg6dTablRd9W2lTnXFkuH3pEhbzkeVki3lKxhkE5y_G-bL4VqL3NxAGg4eFQcaZfGQ7859PcrDwn5z2p98arfOc/s1600/flange+and+pole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAAUV7LnvpWWvGCTkhSWJYak1NUVgJGP11V77hRnLqym0F8etW6pZgg6dTablRd9W2lTnXFkuH3pEhbzkeVki3lKxhkE5y_G-bL4VqL3NxAGg4eFQcaZfGQ7859PcrDwn5z2p98arfOc/s1600/flange+and+pole.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Threaded Galvanized Conduit and threaded flange with screw holes<br />by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>After a lot of trial and error</b>, I have finally found the
very best pole to use for installing a bird house or bird feeder. And it comes from an unlikely place—the
hardware store! Go to the electrical
department of your nearest big box hardware store and purchase inexpensive
conduit about 10 feet long. It’s made of
galvanized metal, which helps it outlast the worst weather conditions, and it
is sturdy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> But the best part is
that one end is already threaded. In the
same department, find a threaded flat metal flange with screw holes that will
fit your pole.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What You’ll Need: </b><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Bag of quick setting cement in which to
permanently install your pole</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">·</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Bucket in which to mix the cement</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">·</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Shovel to mix cement</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">·</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">A level</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">·</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Screw Drive</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">·</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Wood Screws</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Step By Step:</b><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">1.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Attach the flat metal flange to the bottom of
your bird house with appropriate length wood screws.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Check to make sure the tip of the screws will
not penetrate into the nest box itself, because the points might harm baby
birds.</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">2.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Dig a hole at least 3 feet deep in your selected
bird house location.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">You may have to go
deeper if you live in a region that has a deeper frost depth.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">3.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Attach your bird house by screwing the metal
flange onto the threaded end of the pole.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">4.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Set your pole in the hole and use a level to
make sure the pole is straight.</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">5.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Add some large stones to support the pole while
you mix up your cement.</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">6.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Read the directions to properly mix your
cement.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">7.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Once the cement is ready to pour, check for
level once again, and as the cement goes in the hole. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Make adjustments as necessary. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">It is very important that the pole be level
all around so that the baby birds don’t fall out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Most backyard birds that will use a bird house like to nest
from 5 to 10 feet off the ground. Keep
that in mind when you buy your lengths of conduit. Remember to add the depth of the hole to get
your overall pole length. I suggest 10
feet of threaded conduit, which gives you about 7 feet of height, plus 3 feet
for the depth of the hole.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your birds may not find their new house right away, but be
patient! Once they find it, you will
enjoy the fun of watching all the activity as the babies are fed, and
eventually learn to fly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hub.me/abSJT" target="_blank">Best Winter Bird Feeders</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hub.me/aepmj" target="_blank">Feed Birds Without Going Broke</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hub.me/aeDEO" target="_blank">Best Tips to Attract Northern Cardinals</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-54960197947208165272013-12-26T11:13:00.001-08:002013-12-30T13:18:17.945-08:00Favorite Bird Feeders<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEo0bWWlpEOqBRCtJ2kUZx4KSKZGLNfkfxRDrYvM0C3y8qZ3JP4RzsfD_HUHGbLdTLAwxyj8dRTlC5zxsVHuLHczi_m2vWCFDCeRRJO-YH61YWFNiVf7RTYW_6s9fMXMg8zRrOS6au7NA/s1600/there+are+5+birds+in+this+picture+can+you+find+them.jpg" height="428" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A variety of birds enjoying a variety of bird feeders.<br />
Image by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEo0bWWlpEOqBRCtJ2kUZx4KSKZGLNfkfxRDrYvM0C3y8qZ3JP4RzsfD_HUHGbLdTLAwxyj8dRTlC5zxsVHuLHczi_m2vWCFDCeRRJO-YH61YWFNiVf7RTYW_6s9fMXMg8zRrOS6au7NA/s1600/there+are+5+birds+in+this+picture+can+you+find+them.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
Some of My Happy Birds!</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are 5 birds in my picture above; can you find them all? (Hint-the head is not visible on one of them.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By the way, my bird feeder 'post' is actually an old speed bag holder my husband found alongside the road. He thought he would eventually buy a new speed bag and use it, but I had other ideas! It worked perfectly to hold a variety of feeders, and it has a heavy enough base so there is no danger it will fall over in the wind. My husband actually thought I was quite clever! Evidently, he wasn't all that keen on using it himself after all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have several more feeders in another part of the yard, but these seem to be the favorite for many of my birds. Instead of suet or peanut butter plugs, I use an offset spatula (the kind used for spreading cake icing) to fill the holes of the <b>cedar suet log</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfU3Gp4OWcOOy-56u3f44QcUt7zDiy69iTNHJ3A4Da9Cb5OtZJN96WPtCtJGrZiJQbTd7ch1eFiAdho1PbikbDp7JUAsA99Cuoez8FpnXdSQxvOOYTEkY1jRp4tJxwskpJ7RrCH5M_6a4/s1600/chickadees+eating+seeds+from+seed+ball+and+peanut+butter+from+suet+log.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfU3Gp4OWcOOy-56u3f44QcUt7zDiy69iTNHJ3A4Da9Cb5OtZJN96WPtCtJGrZiJQbTd7ch1eFiAdho1PbikbDp7JUAsA99Cuoez8FpnXdSQxvOOYTEkY1jRp4tJxwskpJ7RrCH5M_6a4/s1600/chickadees+eating+seeds+from+seed+ball+and+peanut+butter+from+suet+log.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_zMp9L7UVCd5EuSpEb_MpESOiLtGThpKu4xz1FRE-vJ7nwKI4kfIwsa_FFIiAtHDkWKyi4eCBvT_N4K-2x2zCRpR6-ZDPh4iFwW27ywxd03tU0xebFU7LreVot8TdhDO-vPs8e27BVU/s1600/woodpecker+enjoying+peanut+butter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_zMp9L7UVCd5EuSpEb_MpESOiLtGThpKu4xz1FRE-vJ7nwKI4kfIwsa_FFIiAtHDkWKyi4eCBvT_N4K-2x2zCRpR6-ZDPh4iFwW27ywxd03tU0xebFU7LreVot8TdhDO-vPs8e27BVU/s1600/woodpecker+enjoying+peanut+butter.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XK1HGI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000XK1HGI&linkCode=as2&tag=grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com-20">Suet Log Bird Feeder</a>)<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000XK1HGI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
with chunky peanut butter. It was a hit from day 1!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The metal mesh feeder</b> (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040QAE2O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0040QAE2O&linkCode=as2&tag=grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com-20">No/No Red Seed Ball Wild Bird Feeder - RSB00343</a>)<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0040QAE2O" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAavO6gKKK45M5_3h5-Eb1ACP4u1ItfNXjoztHCrMKVCTaJVRpwvKFzFU1uvZtWzhpqT8z4xnMqNRiocxQcLcpS7EdwnTdS3rLkOCXi1hZZVeHvIdPaCqK-2_Ovgz7UCOd7LHqCIl78E/s1600/chickadees+love+the+metal+mesh+feeders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAavO6gKKK45M5_3h5-Eb1ACP4u1ItfNXjoztHCrMKVCTaJVRpwvKFzFU1uvZtWzhpqT8z4xnMqNRiocxQcLcpS7EdwnTdS3rLkOCXi1hZZVeHvIdPaCqK-2_Ovgz7UCOd7LHqCIl78E/s1600/chickadees+love+the+metal+mesh+feeders.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">fills from the top and is also extremely popular with the smaller birds in my yard. I have to fill it every 3 days! They enjoy clinging to the mesh and swinging back and forth as birds land and fly off the round feeder. I have also used these in my <a href="http://hub.me/afWyR" target="_blank">bird feeder wreaths</a>, which keep the birds from colliding with my front windows.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>And then there is the suet holder.</b> There is always at least one bird working at the suet. It might be a woodpecker or a chickadee, a nuthatch or a titmouse. It is occupied from dawn to dusk, especially in the colder weather. All these feeders are inexpensive and draw a variety of birds to my yard in all seasons.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When there is fresh snow on the ground, I enjoy tossing sunflower seeds out for my ground feeding birds. It's a joy to watch them gather and feed where I can observe them at close range.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPyoDXT0SwgTmy4OYsy0gWG1t8w6Mk6gIU3Ilg9RPnAfT2OXYeBQArRwlsGIn86k8g3zhQBXtvoeuwmBkZoZtaoDPEh-loXgz7oEFdgAjrhi3qzuEHQmKwEEFhGjwB55Z2qnFC4fcQsY/s1600/lots+of+birds+searching+the+snow+for+seeds.jpg" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldfinches and juncos searching in the snow for sunflower seeds.<br />
Image by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPyoDXT0SwgTmy4OYsy0gWG1t8w6Mk6gIU3Ilg9RPnAfT2OXYeBQArRwlsGIn86k8g3zhQBXtvoeuwmBkZoZtaoDPEh-loXgz7oEFdgAjrhi3qzuEHQmKwEEFhGjwB55Z2qnFC4fcQsY/s1600/lots+of+birds+searching+the+snow+for+seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gold finches and juncos are the first ones on the scene; they snatch up the seeds on the freshly fallen snow but never seem to have any squabbles among themselves. It's not a good idea to scatter seeds on the ground if you have outdoor cats that might prey on your birds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I plan on making a snowman when we have enough wet snow. Then I'll add a dish to hold bird seeds and watch as my backyard birds have fun with their newest feeder!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVa-0RTm1n1F87JezP08kgHcBQ_IWVKRgLCyHK3IJjrIjGm-jKuiBWRcwuYAPgBPtPOeFQRN__r0oMXK3KKf5UBeJC9_Hwt8DrS4yfPDTZG7BhwO2TWntmJ-NjzKYhwZhLS_0tBUGWds/s1600/sweet+little+goldfinches+in+winter+plumage.jpg" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldfinches are among the many birds that enjoy tube style seed feeders.<br />
image by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVa-0RTm1n1F87JezP08kgHcBQ_IWVKRgLCyHK3IJjrIjGm-jKuiBWRcwuYAPgBPtPOeFQRN__r0oMXK3KKf5UBeJC9_Hwt8DrS4yfPDTZG7BhwO2TWntmJ-NjzKYhwZhLS_0tBUGWds/s1600/sweet+little+goldfinches+in+winter+plumage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This tube style feeder (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001D1J5JM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001D1J5JM&linkCode=as2&tag=grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com-20">Aspects 392 Quick-Clean Seed Tube Feeder, Medium - Brushed Nickel</a>)<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001D1J5JM" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
in another part of the yard is always popular with goldfinches, titmice, chickadees, and purple finches. In the cold months I fill it with a combination of black oil sunflower seeds and a fruit and nut mixture I found at the local tractor supply store. That mixture also contains a little gravel to help the birds digest their food. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQox0YRTszRQCro5WRNXQWF7Dhnktz8MIeTdMn4zwTlxjeh1KURSw3whYs3TMXOFBEiYwSe2VFoZkAe9ZeidHFu1BKwMCPPRfhMLAtPFk8A5dFlPrLUlWkV4wcRtQkfX9WlVcIkM5rtk/s1600/snow+covered+bench+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQox0YRTszRQCro5WRNXQWF7Dhnktz8MIeTdMn4zwTlxjeh1KURSw3whYs3TMXOFBEiYwSe2VFoZkAe9ZeidHFu1BKwMCPPRfhMLAtPFk8A5dFlPrLUlWkV4wcRtQkfX9WlVcIkM5rtk/s1600/snow+covered+bench+resized.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My snow-covered bench--Guess I won't be sitting there anytime soon!<br />
Image by Grandma Pearl<br />
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</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The more variety of feeders and types of food, the larger the variety of birds you will attract. Also, don't forget to <a href="http://hub.me/ag0y3" target="_blank">provide unfrozen water</a> in your bird bath. Those birds get thirsty and need to drink and bathe all year round, not just in the warmer months. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://hub.me/abSJT" target="_blank">Best Feeders for Winter Birds</a><br />
<a href="http://hub.me/aca0K" target="_blank">How Do Birds Stay Warm?</a><br />
<a href="http://hubpages.com/t/2d1ef8" target="_blank">Myths About Wild Birds</a><br />
<a href="http://hub.me/ag0y3" target="_blank">Easy Ways to Provide Water in the Winter </a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-35024467496258936462013-12-26T10:54:00.001-08:002013-12-26T11:04:56.354-08:00Thank You for Inspiring a New Generation of Bird Lovers<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here is a wonderful video from Cornell Lab of Ornithology, showing how a group effort can make a huge difference in bird populations and their survival rates. It's only about 3 minutes long, but it is wonderful to watch. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Fd8gVRdwels" width="480"></iframe><br />
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Grandma PearlAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-11344135087989200242013-12-18T16:19:00.002-08:002013-12-30T13:23:53.321-08:00Five Ways to Keep Predators Away From Baby Birds<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShdWGU6IY10QSyXQDnAddJQDDQl63gy8RQtWz7phksO4txSLfkObHbqitzkv_dH3OX9A1ZhDyBt49ntW4TwP37sbO7hlY_tBPKrIhibHMmb_jpNER36SddOQrIz8yvX8wyIgDRQYzOOc/s1600/active+robin+nest+high+in+tree+over+roof+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShdWGU6IY10QSyXQDnAddJQDDQl63gy8RQtWz7phksO4txSLfkObHbqitzkv_dH3OX9A1ZhDyBt49ntW4TwP37sbO7hlY_tBPKrIhibHMmb_jpNER36SddOQrIz8yvX8wyIgDRQYzOOc/s400/active+robin+nest+high+in+tree+over+roof+resized.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vulnerable robin's nest in an oak tree.<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nature can be harsh, especially when it comes to wild babies. Newly laid eggs, nestlings and fledglings are particularly at risk because they are favorites of predators like other birds, raccoons, squirrels, feral cats, etc. But you can give the</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">m a safer environment and a better chance at survival using the following easy solutions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*Remember not to use toxic chemicals in your environment. They harm all life, including humans; plus they find their way into our water sources. If you attract birds, you will not need poisons to be rid of insect pests. But if you still feel you need to control the bug population, choose organic and non-toxic options.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Make a bird nesting basket to camouflage and th</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">us hide the baby birds. <a href="http://hub.me/aePrf" target="_blank">Click here </a>for the 5 easy steps.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeU1Yyp7riR_XNsdk35V095ix1hSakoYcAWDweleI4flKKFa6xzpfsEz3bBht-48mWDB1uX3gQnBHxmZbCwMsRl8AFiW0hObO5844YqH97vQ2vIPQdiPEA-bsfLatsCPcJ3tpLLMERvc/s1600/ivy+planted+around+perimeter+of+basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeU1Yyp7riR_XNsdk35V095ix1hSakoYcAWDweleI4flKKFa6xzpfsEz3bBht-48mWDB1uX3gQnBHxmZbCwMsRl8AFiW0hObO5844YqH97vQ2vIPQdiPEA-bsfLatsCPcJ3tpLLMERvc/s640/ivy+planted+around+perimeter+of+basket.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make a bird nesting basket using my 5 easy steps.<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Plant a briar patch. You'd be surprised how many birds are attracted to thorny berry plants. In addition to being a great food source, the sharp tangles discourage even the most persistent predator. It doesn't have to be a large patch to make a huge difference. Find out more <a href="http://hub.me/af5Lb" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvz5mfGOjrkiSZkk1lnED2eAwxl5uN5vj_tit7Sl03YNU7Fvjd3gSwEO5KUuJIlKN9g7YOh0Ha5k6BhK-gpJhlTSi4duFVMOXVyjZnNLlTHwCA8Y1beOTV6u1WDmEjCLYl7JFh1SDIQM/s1600/briars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvz5mfGOjrkiSZkk1lnED2eAwxl5uN5vj_tit7Sl03YNU7Fvjd3gSwEO5KUuJIlKN9g7YOh0Ha5k6BhK-gpJhlTSi4duFVMOXVyjZnNLlTHwCA8Y1beOTV6u1WDmEjCLYl7JFh1SDIQM/s400/briars.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Briar patches don't need to be large to help birds.<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Climbing Rose Bushes offer another type of shelter with built-in predator resistance. Not only that, but these bushes are home to bugs relished by backyard birds. Cardinals are especially fond of nesting in rose bushes. Choose rose varieties that produce rose hips, and you will also be feeding birds all winter long. Rose hips provide much needed nutrients not otherwise available during the wintertime. <a href="http://hub.me/afyS4" target="_blank">Create Safe Bird Habitats With Climbing Roses</a> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8Zev5-uFkM2Cj1Qg3qlXgq_PBn-jytvB80mzZHMJ13mHX_bZOftBU0YPlnHWEOcw9qwjTxkQFWyWL9p_udGy3BvSv3ngM9P5oFW5mSRvx11gtALYalGhOpmmuFWkRip2cK2uDSUuPPU/s1600/climbing+rose+attracts+bees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8Zev5-uFkM2Cj1Qg3qlXgq_PBn-jytvB80mzZHMJ13mHX_bZOftBU0YPlnHWEOcw9qwjTxkQFWyWL9p_udGy3BvSv3ngM9P5oFW5mSRvx11gtALYalGhOpmmuFWkRip2cK2uDSUuPPU/s640/climbing+rose+attracts+bees.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin Hood Climbing Rose creates a dense tangle of thorny branches just right for hiding bird nests and baby birds<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Dense vines make excellent nesting sites for birds. Tangled vines are easily accessible by birds, but are a natural deterrent for the predators that would make easy pickins' out of birds' eggs and bird babies. See which vines work the best <a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/08/wild-grapes-attract-variety-of-fruit.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzfPqQYcKroks0wOKj3F1a8jB5qrvTy69tNmH1z1fEnqqFRNt32ViFtSlk0F5cCeRPrEWsgN9vyZ9RktzElBqOcqB8raz9ejotTe3yAwZjTmsnId7LaTs1wiy8o9mT_KoVcX0xFI6yLg/s1600/wild+grape+vines+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzfPqQYcKroks0wOKj3F1a8jB5qrvTy69tNmH1z1fEnqqFRNt32ViFtSlk0F5cCeRPrEWsgN9vyZ9RktzElBqOcqB8raz9ejotTe3yAwZjTmsnId7LaTs1wiy8o9mT_KoVcX0xFI6yLg/s400/wild+grape+vines+resized.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild grape vines will quickly grow to shelter bird nests in the future.<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. Mount your birds houses right on your own house. Birds like hawks don't like to venture too close to human habitats. Other predators find it hard to reach the baby birds when the nest box is installed on a high vertical surface. Install them on the non-windy side, and under an overhang if possible. See how I used a climbing hydrangea vine to surround one of my bird houses <span id="goog_1971191609"></span><a href="http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/07/plant-climbing-hydrangea-vine-to-help.html" target="_blank">here</a><span id="goog_1971191610"></span>. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSB_LBATuhlk_LMWc6IDHMuOOBM4DbiH3JR0q1dnPasFvU4It27JQOjpp-YIvpz4_cN6I7aHHPm7Aw-0A0LvxyrHnkCO0Whq8NbPUASjJ7walDI776n3JHXAyxIwKmqTgO9vWvz4AyaZE/s1600/bird+house+in+climbing+hydrangea+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSB_LBATuhlk_LMWc6IDHMuOOBM4DbiH3JR0q1dnPasFvU4It27JQOjpp-YIvpz4_cN6I7aHHPm7Aw-0A0LvxyrHnkCO0Whq8NbPUASjJ7walDI776n3JHXAyxIwKmqTgO9vWvz4AyaZE/s400/bird+house+in+climbing+hydrangea+resized.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bird house mounted on my house in my hydrangea vine<br />
by Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-81020007262496948292013-11-25T11:05:00.001-08:002013-11-25T11:06:01.782-08:00The Importance of Providing Water for Wild Birds Year Round<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhYzDGxdg9gWbLjipdD7d_bn_sdDYAVVM61bQpxISLfFwptGdgiM-DKeMoxWvcpOUEbQWfw_zLJ_nhPURJKssGY1gKZZI14jkTDAA7JGH1XkMPocMcJM5uulDXV44FXqH2WUT56FzUYA/s1600/bird+basin+for+chickadees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhYzDGxdg9gWbLjipdD7d_bn_sdDYAVVM61bQpxISLfFwptGdgiM-DKeMoxWvcpOUEbQWfw_zLJ_nhPURJKssGY1gKZZI14jkTDAA7JGH1XkMPocMcJM5uulDXV44FXqH2WUT56FzUYA/s1600/bird+basin+for+chickadees.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My chickadees often visit this bird bath for a drink and a splash!<br />
from Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Water For The Birds</h3>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wintertime is not only cold, but dry! I can't tell you how many times I've used hand lotion the last couple of weeks; nor how much water I've swallowed. The cold temperatures rob all the moisture from the air, inside and outside. The humidity in my house goes from a normal of 55% way down to about 25 to 30%. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The wildlife around us needs just as much water as we do. In the wintertime when all water sources are frozen solid, or have dried up completely, our birds still need essential water to survive. Snow on the ground can serve as a source for the birds, but it costs them valuable energy they need to stay warm. In order to metabolize that snow, birds have to use up some of their energy stores. So that means more time spent foraging for food. And then there are often times when there is no snow on the ground, but temperatures are still below freezing.</span></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>That's where we come in</b>--By adding an inexpensive de-icer to our bird bath or basin. It can literally mean the difference between survival and doom for our feathered friends. These devices are safe to be submerged, and they will not harm the birds in any way. Use a UL listed outdoor-rated electric cord and plug that in to your de-icer. It will keep the water at about 40 degrees. You must make sure that there is water in the bird bath at all times, otherwise the de-icer will keep trying to warm the air. That can lead to a 'fried' de-icer.</span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E3FW6U/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000E3FW6U&linkCode=as2&tag=grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000E3FW6U&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000E3FW6U" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are thermostatically-controlled bird bath heaters as well. They shut off automatically when there is no water in the bird bath. Alternatively, you can also find heated bird baths that have built-in de-icers. If you live in a colder climate that receives a lot of sun in the winter, then you might want to consider a solar-powered bird bath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whatever you choose, remember to keep your bird bath filled with water all the time. Birds will come to rely on your water source, and as a result you may see many birds you might not have seen before. Your yard will become a very popular spot in the neighborhood!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To learn more about different options and materials available for bird baths and de-icers, click <a href="http://hub.me/ag0y3" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hub.me/afJml" target="_blank">Are Your Bird Houses Ready For Fall and Winter?</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Bird-Baths:-Best-Placement-and-Maintenance-Ideas&id=6381059" target="_blank">Best Placement and Maintenance Tips For Bird Baths</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hub.me/abSJT" target="_blank">Best Bird Feeders For Winter Birds</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-91354791652508304892013-11-19T17:42:00.000-08:002013-11-19T17:43:14.178-08:00New Ideas For Feeding Birds in the Wintertime<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWsu8P5-fC_ORjekfZar8Qy7G_0-59d9uGzwDX0dfQccsvr1tdMFFUDHPv_mOF7VanbVVR2qaao7nS4WrMn1LveeN5sAmhawjFzYRFkVEC0rRGwDvCVwMvmbrafoDnhkxAxP-E53biyc/s1600/blue+jay+at+feeder+in+snowstorm+2+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWsu8P5-fC_ORjekfZar8Qy7G_0-59d9uGzwDX0dfQccsvr1tdMFFUDHPv_mOF7VanbVVR2qaao7nS4WrMn1LveeN5sAmhawjFzYRFkVEC0rRGwDvCVwMvmbrafoDnhkxAxP-E53biyc/s1600/blue+jay+at+feeder+in+snowstorm+2+resized.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blue Jay at my feeder last winter<br />Grandma Pearl</span></td></tr>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some unique bird feeding ideas from Birds & Blooms magazine, and me!</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have always fed my backyard birds all winter long. In fact, I feed them year round! Standard bird feeders are great, but I recently found a couple of different ideas for feeding birds from the newest <i><a href="http://birdsandblooms.com/" target="_blank">Birds & Blooms</a></i> magazine (december/january 2014), and thought I would share them with you.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A fun natural bird feeder involves making a snowman! from Connie Banet Miller of Wolcottville, IN comes this great idea:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Build a snowman, give him a wide-brimmed hat and fashion some hands. Add sunflower seeds to the hat brim and to the palms of his hands. She says she has been able to get some great images of birds eating out of the palms of the snowman's hands!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lindy Franklin of Plano, TX fills up paper cups with bird seeds and then tosses the cups out on top of the fresh snow. I can imagine how much fun it would be to watch the birds retrieving goodies from the paper cups!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I like to save egg shells for the birds to use as seed holders. My husband is a big egg eater, so there are always tons of egg shells around here. After I wash them out and let them dry, I add bird seed mixed with fruit and nut bird mixture, place them on the tray feeder and watch the birds as they discover their treats. The blue jays especially seem to love to carry off the empty shells!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the fall when the acorns are plentiful, I collect the extras to store in a cool, dry place. When snow covers the ground, I toss the acorns on top of the snow under the bird feeders. Squirrels are happy to have the nuts, and sometimes I am lucky enough to attract some wild turkeys this way!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Grandma Pearl</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9GsKokS81bU5B6I5EpYXwKgMR4-qw0K9C49gcX7NjjPiNeY90lK80WDx15mzHMA-x2B1CpUBf2U83IJRpq5mKufWxowTFmJo_Plf10fqBGUOdk847QEd6P0p7O9h191gWmcIrj63sQw/s1600/Persistent+Q.+Squirrel++resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9GsKokS81bU5B6I5EpYXwKgMR4-qw0K9C49gcX7NjjPiNeY90lK80WDx15mzHMA-x2B1CpUBf2U83IJRpq5mKufWxowTFmJo_Plf10fqBGUOdk847QEd6P0p7O9h191gWmcIrj63sQw/s1600/Persistent+Q.+Squirrel++resized.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet 'Persistent Q. Squirrel', always ready to grab a free handout!<br />Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<a href="http://hubpages.com/t/2b6412" target="_blank">Create an Edible Christmas Tree for the Birds</a></div>
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<a href="http://hub.me/abSJT" target="_blank">Best Feeders for Winter Birds</a></div>
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<a href="http://hub.me/aepmj" target="_blank">How to Feed Your Backyard Birds Without Going Broke</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-10498915853911338102013-11-15T12:38:00.001-08:002013-11-15T12:46:14.552-08:00Homemade Peanut Butter Bird Treat Recipe<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahyphenhyphennAelJfBCS2ta1ev5lCTV-YYDcpm53AvlZfcgIUKtCRzUvkvrUJlIS5MwxD3BDqWgJlP-uZqtTBQbY2KD_6Y9mJeHSlSj557cyLC3rB2XjP6VAY-ugB3dtxloR91XBN0WW1MS4jhVo/s1600/nuthatch+on+peanut+feeder+closeup+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahyphenhyphennAelJfBCS2ta1ev5lCTV-YYDcpm53AvlZfcgIUKtCRzUvkvrUJlIS5MwxD3BDqWgJlP-uZqtTBQbY2KD_6Y9mJeHSlSj557cyLC3rB2XjP6VAY-ugB3dtxloR91XBN0WW1MS4jhVo/s1600/nuthatch+on+peanut+feeder+closeup+resized.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuthatch loves homemade peanut butter treat<br />
from Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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<h2>
Birds Can't Resist This Peanut Butter Treat!</h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Very Best Easy Peanut Butter Bird Treat</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prep. Time: 5 min.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cooking Time: 15 min.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Total Time: 20 min.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* ½ c. crunchy or smooth peanut butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* ½ c. shortening</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* ½ c. flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* 1-½ c. cornmeal</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* ½ c. cracked corn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* ½ c. black oil sunflower seeds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* ¼ c. raisins or currants</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* ¼ c. dried apricots, apples or cherries</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Clean plastic containers. . . I use yogurt cups, but any small plastic container will do just fine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Preparation:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a saucepan over low heat, melt peanut butter and shortening. Stir in cornmeal and flour until combined. Add cracked corn and sunflower seeds. Remove from heat and mix in raisins, currants, and dried fruit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Transfer to plastic cups and allow to cool. Refrigerate overnight and serve to your hungry, grateful birds! You can use an offset spatula to fill the holes of a suet log with this yummy mixture. Freeze any extra for later use.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDsMhnqDGJ01p3h2Ih9a5AF5ceUZ2MF4Vu8FIj-by6AHkXrw9wJ7dj4R1cVU9i5NHBwVQE17ph_WajWX9otwuTeibVBwCj4US4UtnKfMiikcdHRtklQYTemvlfNL5K4tSV514HePF9Ik/s1600/female+woodpecker+on+peanut+butter+feeder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDsMhnqDGJ01p3h2Ih9a5AF5ceUZ2MF4Vu8FIj-by6AHkXrw9wJ7dj4R1cVU9i5NHBwVQE17ph_WajWX9otwuTeibVBwCj4US4UtnKfMiikcdHRtklQYTemvlfNL5K4tSV514HePF9Ik/s1600/female+woodpecker+on+peanut+butter+feeder.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut Butter Bird Treat is very popular with the birds!<br />
from Grandma Pearl</td></tr>
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This recipe was inspired by Laura Klappenbach’s ‘Simply Nutty Bird Treat’ at <a href="http://www.about.com/" target="_blank">About.com </a>Guide</div>
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Grandma Pearl</div>
<div>
<a href="http://hubpages.com/t/2b369d" target="_blank">Best Feeders for Winter Birds</a></div>
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<a href="http://hub.me/af0lB" target="_blank">Get Kids Interested in Bird Watching</a></div>
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Suet Log </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9175370163493231827.post-56493166046671801902013-11-12T17:15:00.001-08:002013-12-30T13:26:34.696-08:00Peanut Bird Feeder Wreath from Songbird Essentials<h2>
Whole Peanut Wreath Feeder<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqApRoDalg98Vasz50rFwB_To6oaPzJhV2gZGktOvctYzTww62Tw2P9WuNnumxIdmzmWH8VcoLHeqMtTNo8LHk03XGUJuY9D5G3SzgX4yii1Eye-3OtM7Zgr3DHuMseyliKAxz3B5YlYI/s1600/peanut+feeder+wreath+best+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqApRoDalg98Vasz50rFwB_To6oaPzJhV2gZGktOvctYzTww62Tw2P9WuNnumxIdmzmWH8VcoLHeqMtTNo8LHk03XGUJuY9D5G3SzgX4yii1Eye-3OtM7Zgr3DHuMseyliKAxz3B5YlYI/s640/peanut+feeder+wreath+best+resized.jpg" width="640" /></a></h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"> I bought this feeder about a month ago, and was a little skeptical about the birds actually using it. My fears were unfounded, as it took only a day for the woodpeckers to find it! They have been regular visitors ever since. Both the downy and hairy woodpeckers work at it constantly. But they don't pluck each peanut out individually, rather they peck at the shells and pull out the nuts inside.</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjsbYjJssXO354f4zWIjuikvqcndpNCU7dV4duzljPh9mFeqMNee2O94vE3xZlkPvCWUyyjdROEbde0vvBDGFOIQ7g5zPTPnDHx5QOZxgNnYQ6ebvnM1D1Lj-gW2cCQunrDPzX5fR3Gk/s1600/woodpeckers+work+at+the+peanut+wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjsbYjJssXO354f4zWIjuikvqcndpNCU7dV4duzljPh9mFeqMNee2O94vE3xZlkPvCWUyyjdROEbde0vvBDGFOIQ7g5zPTPnDHx5QOZxgNnYQ6ebvnM1D1Lj-gW2cCQunrDPzX5fR3Gk/s640/woodpeckers+work+at+the+peanut+wreath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The wreath measures 12" in diameter, and is like a heavy-duty slinky with hooks that are connected to the central hanging hook. The spacing is just right so that the peanuts do not automatically fall out, but can easily be plucked out by birds like blue jays. I filled it with unsalted whole shell peanuts, which I was very lucky to find on sale at my local grocery store! In fact, I picked up several bags at the sale price to keep my birds in peanuts throughout the winter months.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQugg7jyljtPe2tGK3HRFqhpHXrQfLZ2CbZ42ZiKZ7SfTQ1Om_WugLHaRAhHAo0CRtB_-x8M8qHCM6hfCtgpbuummPGw7tdw8It8Sf2cSdXr6EIJwZKfziiYrV-YNmV1LQpoVdvEht0UQ/s1600/peanut+wreath+attracts+woodpeckers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQugg7jyljtPe2tGK3HRFqhpHXrQfLZ2CbZ42ZiKZ7SfTQ1Om_WugLHaRAhHAo0CRtB_-x8M8qHCM6hfCtgpbuummPGw7tdw8It8Sf2cSdXr6EIJwZKfziiYrV-YNmV1LQpoVdvEht0UQ/s640/peanut+wreath+attracts+woodpeckers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have really enjoyed watching my birds using this new feeder. The natural fats found in the peanuts help keep their feathers in good condition, and also help to maintain their body heat at optimum levels even in the coldest weather. I think it was a good investment and a great addition to my backyard bird feeders!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://grandmapearl.hubpages.com/" target="_blank">Grandma Pearl</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://hub.me/afUMl" target="_blank">Feeding Nuts to Birds</a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/7423735" target="_blank">Keep Woodpeckers from Ruining Your Siding</a></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07127321285540452778noreply@blogger.com0