I know that I have written about the drought we are experiencing this summer. Our water district has put us all on very stringent water restrictions. With our drought, I have been extra careful to make sure the birdbaths are always clean and full. And, I finally put out two bird feeders in the yard. I would never have done that while Sprite was with us, but now that she is gone, I find it almost comforting to see the birds congregating in our yard. I have particularly enjoyed watching the birds bring their fledglings to the bird baths… some of the smaller birds’ fledglings are absolutely tiny!
Our neighbors have a bird feeder in their yard that is located in the shade all day long. The birds absolutely love it. Our feeders aren’t shaded until later on in the day. For the last two/three weeks, our neighbors have let their bird feeder remain empty. (They had people visiting and didn’t want the birds to make a mess on their patio.) For those two/three weeks, I had to fill our two feeders every morning. Whenever I walked through the kitchen I was entertained by continuous activity outside… I had to actually “break up a few fights” when grackles tried to attack some of the other birds. (I can’t stand those grackles!)
Unfortunately, our neighbors house guests are gone, and so are “my” birds! As soon as our neighbors refilled their empty bird feeder, my feathery companions took off for better pastures! They return to our yard for a quick drink of water, and then they disappear.
I hope our neighbors have house guests again soon!
Alfred says
Danna have you ever tried to make a birdbath out of a tomato cage and flower pot bottom? Real easy to do just put the tomato cage where you want it try and get a bottom of a plastic flower pot that will fit the top ring of the cage. Fill with wather and they enjoy it.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks for the suggestion, Alfred, but if I add one more bird bath to our yard, they will start calling me the “Bird Lady?!!! I currently have a cement bird bath and two hanging bird baths… I got the idea of the hanging bird baths from BearMountainBooks’ Maria. (The grackles can’t get in them, so the other birds can safely drink water.)
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
You are so hilarious!
The drought really is terrible. Austin has moved to only once a week watering schedule–and it was 104 here today. That means no more lawns. They already were burned up for the most part. Lawns gone is not really a big deal, but trees are dying–some of them quite tall. It’s so sad to see and not a thing we can do about it!
Praying for rain–and cooler weather!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Maria, there’s nothing like “blaming” my neighbors’ bird feeder for “my” birds deserting me…
marja says
I hope you will get another cat. Just keep him/her inside at all times, and s/he will get as big a kick out of watching the birds as you do!
No, it is NOT cruel to keep cats inside, especially if you give them a nice, tall scratching post that is sturdy and can sit near the birdwatching window, or, as I call it, The Cat Entertainment Center.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marja, my daughter is thinking about getting a pet when she finally gets situated. I keep suggesting a cat. They are so much easier to take care of when you work a full day. (I should have mentioned that Sprite was our “puppy.”)
I had an indoor cat when I first started teaching school, and remember the scratching post! She was a wonderful companion to me, and I didn’t have to walk her every morning and night… I love your “Cat Entertainment Center” idea. Hours and hours of cat enjoyment… hopefully not too frustrating!
Vickie B says
I planted sunflowers in my ‘funky garden’ this year. It has been so much fun watching this trio of yellow finches have at the seeds in the drying blooms.
We keep the birdbath full of fresh water as often as I can remember to get out there.
I visited my favorite Wildbird food store to see what I need to save up for to get the feeders for this fall. I want to protect the birds from the neighborhood cats and I want to protect the seed from the neighborhood squirrels and the ‘caged feeders’ are a wee bit pricey, but I will get as many as I can. I want some up front and in the back.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Vickie, your funky garden sounds like a lot of fun. I would absolutely love to have yellow birds down here… finches, Big, any which type…
Both of our birdfeeders are squirrel proof… and they truly are. I just don’t want the squirrels bothering the birds on their bird feeder pirches. (I actually hand-toss seeds out for the squirrels to eat on the ground, but only when the birds don’t do their part to drop seeds for them.)
As I said, our bird feeders really have “delivered” on their promise to not let the squirrels take over:
Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster Plus Wild Bird Feeder with Cardinal Perch Ring
Brome 1015 Squirrel Buster Classic
The top Cardinal Perch Ring feeder holds more seeds, which means (obviously!!!) that you don’t have to fill it as often. Both of them are weight-tension adjustable.
We got them on Amazon, but you can probably find them at a Home Depot-type of store.
Vickie B says
Thanks, Danna!!