Archive for November, 2009

Northern Cardinal

Today I received one of my favorite magazines, Birds and Blooms, in the mail. It has some great yard tips for our feather friends.

Here are a few excerpts from Birds and Bloom, December/January 2010:
Use cookie cutters to make bird seed ornaments. Simply cut the shapes out from left over bread. Then brush the bread with an egg white and press into bird seed. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes and viola! Just hang them in the yard and let the birds do the rest. (Tip from: Megan Williams, Belleville, New York)

Or you can hollow out a loaf of unsliced bread and fill it with peanut butter, shortening and cornmeal. (Tip from: (Joan Carol Baker, Hope, Maine)

Here is a good one, dual purpose corn cobs. You know, like the ones you buy at Lowe’s or Home Depot for the birds. Once they have picked out all the kernels simply spread peanut butter on the cob and roll in birdseed for a second round. (Tip from: Sue Horsley, Las Vegas, Nevada)

Aren’t these great frugal ways to fill the tummies of our feathered friends? My husband and I love bird watching. And anything that brings them into our yard we like to try. Today we sat and watch a family of Blue Birds making a home in our tree. And I try not to forget our squirrels. Most people consider them pests. And they can be, but we have hunting dogs and this gives our pooches a job. The squirrels come in the yard this time of year to raid the pecan tree and the dogs chase them away. A good time is had by all and the dogs sleep so good at the end of the day.

The hummingbirds and butterflies seemed to have moved to warmer territory but the Cardinals, Blue Birds and many other birds are still here. Helping us to bring in the Holiday season, they come to the feeders, eat the berries on the bushes and make nests in the trees. They know they have a safe place to be during the cooler months.