Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Judi Segebarth
Friday, February 04, 2000 Page: 24
Feed the birds and they shall plant your garden.
That’s what I penned on one of the bird feeders that hangs from a large
feeding station in the middle of our “bird yard.” I love watching the birds
“do-lunch” at this strange looking multi-feeder.
They all come. The springtime robins and summertime hummers. The winter
dwelling woodpeckers, finches, grosbeaks and bluejays all take turns pecking,
grabbing, cracking and fleeing along the rusty rough ridges of this simple
metal “bird-bangy,” as we affectionately call it.
Our strange looking contraption is made from two, 20-foot lengths of
“re-bar.” Bent in half and erected into a four-legged tee-pee affair, this
tall and sturdy device supports five to six various shaped feeders year round.
Six feet above the ground, horizontally placed bamboo poles are wired to
the long legs and individual feeders are then hung from these stabilizing
cross pieces.
Felines are a problem so put the feeder in the open.
Bird feeders installed high off the ground are less dangerous for our
feathered friends and become great entertainment for both young and the old.
Great Backyard Bird Count 2000
I’m planning a two day bird watch here at the Tea Garden to celebrate with
Cornell University’s and the Audubon Society’s Third Annual Great Backyard
Bird Count (GBBC) during Feb. 18, 19, 20 and 21.
“By participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count, people from
subtropical Florida and Hawaii to Arctic Canada and Alaska will help us
understand better the effects of changing weather and landscape on our birds’
abundance and distribution patters,” says Frank Gill, senior vice president
for science at National Audubon.
To tally all those tail feathers you don’t even have to leave the comfort
of that easy chair; all you need is a feeder, food and 15 minutes. Or do you
prefer the great outdoors? In that case, take a walk in the woods or through
the park! Document the birds you see. For those of you battling with low self
esteem, Gill reassures us that “every observation of every bird seen is
important, no matter now common the species.”
Watch for the red-headed woodpecker; that’s the one with the entire head,
neck and throat areas hooded in bright red. They are declining from throughout
their range says John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Laboratory of
Ornithology, adding “The GBBC may yield more data about the current
strongholds of the red-headed woodpecker, data that may be used to help
implement conservation measures before it’s too late.”
Cornell’s bird watching Web site also reports large numbers of American
robins wintering farther north than usual. Further research suggested a
connection between robin distribution and absence of snow. Sounds like a
common sense occurrence to me.
You can join us during the great bird count any of the following ways:
1. www.birdsource.org
2. Those without internet access should try their local library, nature
center or other community group.
3. Call Wild Birds Unlimited at 800-326-4928.
4. Call Cornell Lab at 800-843-2473.
5. Write Cornell Lab of Ornithology/GBBC, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road,
Ithaca, NY 14850
TIPS FOR THE GBBC
A. Buy black oil sunflower seeds for your feeder. According to Cornell
Laboratory of Ornithology and the Audubon Society this is the type preferred
by the widest variety of species.
B. Ground-feeding species, such as juncos and sparrows, are attracted to
white millet.
C. Locate feeders in the open with nearby landing sites available.
D. Water is an important draw. Set some out.
E. Provide sand for grit.
F. Hang suet for the woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and titmice.
G. Don’t cut down “snags” (dead trees) that are not a hazard to your
environment. These are important food, nesting and refuge for our birds.
Judi Segebarth is a master gardener and owner of an organic, educational
center near Zone 5 Wyalusing. Write to her in care of the Arts & Leisure Team,
The Times Leader, 15 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711-0250.