Our Hummingbird

This is a sweet little story about a lady who rescued a Hummingbird from a wasp trap.

We had a hummingbird get caught in a wasp trap, my granddaughter Ashlee and I brought it inside and washed its wing off as best we could.

What a awful and great thing at the same time. We fed it and kept it for 10 days. During the day it was outside, at night we brought it in.

I'm still amazed with the little thing trying so hard to fly, but just couldn't. It finally started eating real well and flapping its wings more and more.

On the 10th day, I had him outside watching him in the yard. I had my granddaughter take pictures of him.

I picked him up and held him and all of a sudden he flew away, I was in the yard jumping up and down, laughing, that I knew he was going to be ok.

I hated not having him anymore but know he's happier. I'm sure he will be back....Terri :)

Read more at Wild Bird Watching

Ducks Blown off Their Feet

This is a funny video.  A mother duck and her ducklings were blow off their feet by the wind.

All was well in the end!

Bird Houses for a Cure

I was reading an article about a guy and his wife who enjoy feeding wild birds in their garden.  They are also members of a church that like to raise money for good causes. This is about how they find a way to combined the two.

My wife & I have been feeding the birds in our area for a number of years. We love to feed and watch the Humming birds.

My wife and I are also team captains for a team in our church that participates in the Relay for Live campaign sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

We are always looking for ways to raise money for our team. This year we have combined our love of birds and ways to raise money to come up with "Bird houses for a cure".

I own a home repair and remodeling business and so with my wood working skills I have been designing and building bird houses.

I have taken pictures of the houses that I have built and put them in an email to all my friends which I sent out several days ago.

I have sold 3 bird houses modeled after a church. I have 6 different designs and continue to design one about every week.

My wife and I are looking forward to selling my bird houses as well as provide a home for our winged friends not to mention being able to raise money to help find a cure for cancer.

What a great idea!

You can read the article here at Wild Bird Watching

Feeding Wild Baby Birds

Feeding Wild Birds

If you how every wondered how birds feed their young in the nest then you will like this video. 

In the video David Attenborough explains different methods used by some birds.

For example some birds make their nests in holes in a tree which can be very dark inside.  So how can the parent bird tell where the baby chicks are in the nest? It is by the chicks having vividly coloured spots on the side of their mouths.

Different Food For Different Birds

When I moved to my present house and started feeding wild birds in my garden, I used to think that a handful of seeds and some crumbed up bread was sufficient.

I have since learnt that it is best to feed the birds a wide variety of different food and that different food will attract different species of birds.

The article below explains more about this

We currently have three bird feeders, a dish for peanuts, and a bird bath, all assembled in and around a small tree about 15 feet from a bay window where my two cats, Dude and Snugs, regularly observe the goings on. They love it, and are quite irritated when we put the blinds down at night even though it’s too dark to see anything by then. But I digress. What I really want to do is talk about the things I did that might help other people attract birds.

Read the full story here at Bird Food For Thought 

Harry Potter and the Snowy Owl

If you're a Harry Potter fan I'm sure you will be excited about his latest film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

But how much do you know about the owls that have been in his films. 

Snowy Owl

Photo © Erich Ferdinand

While Harry Potter's snowy owl, Hedwig, is the most well known of both the books and movies, many other owls from a range of species have made appearances on page and on screen. From Eurasian eagle owls to great gray owls to barn owls, many of these beautiful predators have been part of the Harry Potter phenomenon. "Professor McGonagowl" Laura Erickson has carefully examined all the owl appearances in the books and movies on her The Owls of Harry Potter page, and she offers tips everyone can use to help owls, even if we're not part of the wizarding world.

Read the full article here at About.com

Robins in My Garden

This year was a great year for robins, at least it was in my garden.  I saw so many robins and baby robins when I was outside in the garden feeding wild birds.

It was a strange coincidence because my partner had said to me that he would love to see more robins this year and especially some baby robins too. We had only previously had a fleeting glimpse of robins in our garden and had never seen any baby robins before.

It seems his wish was granted because this year we had two sets of baby robins and they were were very tame and friendly.

You can see more robin photos here at Digital Photography Shots

Birds in Unusual Locations

I was reading an interesting article today about how birds can often be found in unusual locations.

Common Tern

Photo © Matt MacGillivray

Birders can often find great birds in unusual locations, but many non-birders would be surprised that one of the best places to find common terns in United Kingdom is at an industrial plant. According to BBC News, the common tern colony at Shotton paper mill and Tata Steel has more than 680 breeding pairs, one of the country's largest colonies. The importance of the area has been recognized and nature walks and observation blinds are available for school groups.

Read the full article here at About.com

Glaucous Gull By The River

At the weekend me and my partner had a walk by the river.  It was a bit chilly at this time of year but still very enjoyable.

We usually see lots of seagull on the river and also a strange looking type of gull (picture below).

On looking at the RSPB website, I believe it may be a Glaucous Gull.

A large pale gull with white wing tips. Younger birds are creamy white or more biscuit coloured, depending on age. All have pale wingtips. It is bigger than a herring gull and bulkier, with a fiercer expression, larger beak and squarer head than the smaller but virually identically-plumaged to the Iceland gull.

Any ideas?

Feeding Wild Birds During Fall and Winter

I read an interesting article about feeding wild birds during the fall and winter and the importance of fat and calories in their diet.

The Importance of Fat and Calories in a Bird's Diet

Whether they are preparing for fall migration or the onset of winter, birds need foods that are high in oil, fat and calories.  These foods and stored body fat are the primary energy supply that fuels a bird throughout migration and during long, cold winter nights.

You can read the rest of the article here at The Zen Birdfeeder

Ivory Gull Sighted in California

I was reading an interesting article today about a rare sighting of an Ivory Gull in the Pismo Beach area of California.

 photo © marlin harms

Ivory gulls are arctic species that normally stay confined to northern regions throughout the year. This is only the second ivory gull recorded in California, and one of the most southernmost recordings ever for this species. Birders are especially thrilled because unlike the juvenile ivory gull reported in New Jersey in November, 2009, the California bird is a full adult with its stunning snow white plumage.

You can read the article here at About.com

You can also find more details about the Ivory Gull Sightings and see some stunning photos at Christopher 'Taylor Nature Photography

Do You Love Blackbirds?

I was reading an interesting article which asked "Why is the blackbird associated with evil and ill omens?"

Why are birds with black plumage the subject of so many unpleasant stories and superstitions all over the world?

The only conclusion that I can come to is because a lot of these black colored birds are clever enough to out smart people. Crows, Grackles, and Starlings are very intelligent birds and tend to work together in family groups to get what they want and what they want is a lot of food generally.

You can read the article here at Wild Birds Unlimited

Personally I love blackbirds.  I think the males look very handsome with their black feathers and orange beak and eyes.

When I am in my garden feeding the wild birds, the first bird to come and eat is normally the blackbird.  He usually hovers nearby as I am putting the food out and begins eating before I go indoors.

Little Egret on The River

Had a walk along the river yesterday. There were plenty of sea gulls as usual flying around and diving for fish.

We also spotted a Little Egret on the river.

The little egret is a small white heron with attractive white plumes on crest, back and chest, black legs and bill and yellow feet.

Those yellow feet sure look strange!

Attracting Birds to Your Garden

I have just been reading about a new book called Attracting Birds to Your Garden.  It is written by Jeanne Grunert and is her latest book in the "From The Garden" series.

I love feeding wild birds in my garden and this book seems worth taking a look at. It offers beginners easy, simple and fun things they can do to enjoy the growing hobby of feeding and watching wild birds. 

Attracting Birds to Your Garden is due out in paperback and E book and the publication date is December 2010.

Two Black Headed Gulls

These so called black headed gulls are actually more a chocolate brown colour. For most of the year they have a white head but are definitely not sea gulls.

Black headed gulls are sociable, quarrelsome, noisy birds.

Useful Tips for Feeding Wild Birds this Autumn

I was reading an interesting article giving useful tips for feeding wild birds this autumn.

Red-headed Woodpecker

Some of the most interesting new products are those formulated to attract specific types of birds.  I’m particularly enthused about Suet to Go Pellets, which provide the benefits of a vital cold weather bird food without the mess of trimming fat from meat.

Read the article here at That BirdBlog 

Two Chicks Taking A Bath

Earlier on this year when I was in the garden after feeding the wild birds, I noticed a couple of little birds taking a bath in one of the water containers.

They looked so sweet but I am not sure what type of bird there were.  Maybe blue tits?  Any suggestions?

Federal Duck Stamp

I came across this interesting article about the Federal Duck Stamp.

The competition to choose the best artwork has been won by Artist James Hautman, from Chaska, Minn for his acrylic painting of a pair of white-fronted geese.

The stamp, which all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older must possess, is produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and will go on sale in late June for $15. The stamps also allow free admission to any public national wildlife refuge.

 Purchase of the stamps, also prized by philatelists, birding enthusiasts and conservationists, helps to support migratory bird habitat, raising about $25 million annually to fund the acquisition and preservation of wetlands for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Since 1934, sales of Federal Duck Stamps have helped to purchase nearly 6 million acres of wildlife habitat for the system. 

What an amazing painting!

You can read the full article here at: Los Angeles Times

Beautiful Sea Gulls

When I'm in my garden Feeding Wild Birds I often see seal gulls flying overhead.  I love sea gulls and think they are very elegant as they whirl around the sky.

I often take a walk by the river with my partner and he loves to photograph the wild river birds.

photos credit Richard Cammell

Feeling Good About Fattening Up

Just read an interesting article about feeding wild birds high-calorie, high-fat foods to help them survive during the winter time.

Food is the most essential element to providing birds with the energy, stamina and nutrition they need during the winter months. To stay warm, birds will expend energy very quickly, some losing up to 10% of their body weight on a cold night.

Read the article here at: Wild Birds Unlimited

Ugly Duckling

Feeding Wild Birds

Sometimes it is nice to take a walk and see the Wild River Birds.  

This is a young mute swan having a swim on the river with her mother. She may be an ugly duckling at the moment but some day soon she will be a beautiful elegant white swan, just like her mom.

How Do Birds Choose A Mate That Isn't Related?

Feeding Wild Birds

I was reading an interesting article about how birds know how to choose a mate that is not related to them.

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

By October most Eastern Bluebirds have completed a molt to replace old feathers with new. The tips of the new body feathers are brown and make all the bluebirds appear a bit duller in the winter. However, young bluebirds can still recognize their family just like we recognize our family members. They tend to stay together and join other bird families to form winter flocks. These flocks can be as large as 100 birds but typically range from 5 to 20 birds.  Then in the spring, the young will move from the parental territories eventually to another location before choosing a mate. This is called natal dispersal and reduces the chances of inbreeding.

Read the full article here  at: Wild Birds Unlimited 

Backyard Birds Benefits

The article below explains the benefits of feeding wild birds and attracting them to our gardens.

Backyard birds have a distinct social life. They build the most artistic and best equipped home. They entertain extensively and have many social gatherings. Their family life is exceptionally moral...though there are a few polygamists among them. Divorce is rare.

Read more at: A Home For Wild Birds

 

The Tufted Titmouse

 If you live in eastern US or southeastern Canada you may have seen the Tufted Titmouse whilst Feeding Wild Birds.

The Tufted Titmouse are year-round residents in deciduous or mixes woodlands, gardens, parks, and scrub lands. They range over most of the eastern US, parts of southeastern Canada and are expanding their range northward.

Read the full article here at: The Bird Feeding Station

Oystercatcher by the River

Feeding Wild Birds

Had a walk by the river and spotted this Oystercatcher.  His long orange beak is very useful for catching the cockles and mussels that he loves to eat.

You can see more river bird photos here: Wild River Birds

Ducks on the Lake

Feeding Wild Birds and Ducks

I took this photo of the ducks on the lake at my local park.  I was pleased with the photo as the ducks all came out fairly clearly.

They look like they are having fun!

Top 40 Bird Species Most in Need of Help

When you are feeding wild birds today spare a thought for the endangered species.

The article below by the RSPB reveals the top 40 bird species in the UK most in need of help

Male hawfinch - Steve Round

More and more bird species are facing an uncertain future. The RSPB has today [Monday 4 October, 2010] identified the top 100 species in the UK that most need help to maintain their status. Forty of these have been prioritised for immediate action by the RSPB, but the society is today asking for help from government, industry, other charities and the public to provide a future for these birds.

Read the article here at The RSPB website

Posh Bird House

Here is something to brighten up your day when you are feeding wild birds

A bright and colourful bird house

Details here at A Calander of Colurs Blog

Golden Sparrows

Feeding Wild Birds

Just read an interesting article about Golden Sparrows.

I have never seen any here in England but they are apparently closely related to the common House Sparrow.

They are so pretty too.

Hailing from Northern and Eastern Africa, Golden Sparrows are closely related to the ubiquitous House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), and indeed have hybridized with this species in captivity.  Female Golden Sparrows resemble their common, somberly-clad relatives somewhat in color.

Read the full article here: The Care and Breeding of The Golden Sparrow

Knitted Pigeon

Feeding Wild Birds

This little chap wouldn't take much feeding!

This stuffed pigeon from Various Projects is hand-knit from alpaca wool-- a soft, cuddly version of New York's native street bird.

You can see it at Various Projects

Well I think it's funny!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Feeding Wild Birds

Hummingbirds are a great favourite and the video below shows a female ruby throated hummingbird.

You can hear the humming sound that her wings make.

Enjoy!

128 Days of Hummingbirds

Feeding Wild Birds

Hummingbirds are so lovely but where I live in the United Kingdom we do not see them.

In the article below, the author talks about how long the hummingbirds stay in her back yard and how long they are away in their winter home.

As much as I keep track of the arrival and departure dates of hummingbirds, I never really stopped to figure out the length of time hummingbirds are present in my yard and how long they're in their winter home.  What I found surprised me.

Read more here at the Zen Birdfeeder

Do Birds Sunbathe?

On a hot sunny day when I have been in the garden feeding wild birds, I have often seen birds just laying on the lawn with their wings stretched out.

The first time I saw a bird laying out on the lawn, I thought it was dead. But then I saw it move.

Below is an article that explains why birds sunbathe.

Bird sunning is a relatively common behavior, but the exact reasons why birds sunbathe vary. It can help get rid of feather parasites, regulate body temperature or dry off after a bath. Some birds even seem to sunbathe just because they enjoy it! Bluebirds, titmice, doves and other species regularly sunbathe, and birders can help the birds stay safe while sunning by keeping cats indoors and providing a good location for sunning.

Read more here: http://birding.about.com/b/2010/09/20/mailbag-monday-bird-sunning.htm

Two Hungry Baby Robins

Feeding Wild Birds

We often see robins in the garden after feeding the wild birds and this year we were lucky enough to have a robin nesting in the garden. 

When the chicks arrived they were just so cute. We had great fun watching them, they were a joy to see and very comical too. 

My partner managed to take this short video.

The mother robin had just fed one chick and then another chick showed up and wanted feeding. The mother didn't know which chick to feed next and ended up feeding the same chick twice and the other went without. The mother robin looks very confused and harassed!

Hummingbirds

Feeding Wild Birds

Just came across this lovely video showing baby Humming Birds leaving the nest

Enjoy!

Feeding Wild Birds

Nature and wild life are my passion and one great pleasure for me is feeding wild birds in my garden.

The numbers of many wild birds are now dwindling and many are in danger of becoming extinct so every little that we can do to help them survive is good. Feeding wild birds especially through the harsh winter months when natural food is scarce will go a long way to helping them.

Feeding wild birds takes such little effort and need not cost a lot. Besides crumbed up bread there are many other types of food and leftovers from your kitchen that you can feed to garden birds.

Cake crumbs, uncooked porridge oats, cooked potatoes (unsalted), cooked rice (unsalted), grated cheese, chopped bananas and apples cut in half are just some examples.

In the breeding season when the garden birds have young chicks to feed one of their favourite foods is mealworms. Mealworms are very nutritious for wild birds and if you don't like the thought of handling live mealworms you can always buy the dried variety from your bird food supplier.

Feeding wild birds is a win, win situation. The birds get much needed food that helps them to thrive and survive and we receive joy, beauty and the great pleasure of their company in our gardens.

The world would be such a dull place without our beautiful colorful wild garden birds.

 

 

Starlings: Feathers and moulting

I love feeding wild birds in my garden, we have a great variety of different species and one of my favourites are the Starlings.  

We have a family of Starlings that come to the garden to feed and their antics are very amusing as they strut around and squabble amongst themselves over the food. But I have often wondered why they all look so different from each other.  I guessed it was because some of them were youngsters and others adult birds.

I come across this interesting article that explains all about why the Starlings can sometimes look so different from each other:  

When young starlings leave the nest, they're brown all over.

You've probably seen them chasing and pestering their hard-pressed parents, and heard them squawking for food.

Because starlings sometimes have two broods in one breeding season, you'll see starlings of different ages and varying appearances.

You can read the article here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/starling/feathers.aspx

Bird of the Week: Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Feeding Wild Birds

This is an interesting article about the red-breasted nuthatch.

This week's featured bird, the red-breasted nuthatch, is a tiny bundle of energy that happily - and hungrily - visits backyard feeders for suet, peanut butter, seeds and peanuts. They often forage with other similarly hyperactive birds, including kinglets and chickadees, but with their rich red underparts and bold black-and-white head, these nuthatches are hard to miss.

http://birding.about.com/b/2010/09/16/bird-of-the-week-red-breasted-nuthatch.htm