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Friday, May 22, 2009

Orange treat

Here's the Gray Catbird that's been coming to the oranges we put out. Orioles will often come to oranges and grape jelly, but a lesser know fact is that Gray Catbirds will also. We have even had catbirds eat hulled sunflower. We just love to try new foods and see what birds we can attract. We get great joy, on a daily basis, watching all the birds in our yard and knowing that many of them are there because of our efforts.

Here are some things you can do for the birds this weekend:

1. Put out bird baths filled with clean water. It's been hot weather, for the last few days here in NH, and the birds have really appreciated a cool drink and a bath. We put the bird bath near the garden hose, so it's easy to clean the bath and refill.

2. Put up more bird houses, it's not too late. Bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, Tree Swallows and wrens and more all use houses. Late nesters, or birds having their second brood, are always on the look-out for an available house.

3. Put up more hummingbird feeders. Cut down the competition between hummers by placing feeders on opposite sides of your house.

4. Plant annuals to attract hummers. Salvia, "Lady in Red" is our favorite pick. Verbena Bonariensis attracts hummers as well as butterflies.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend! See you Tuesday.

4 comments:

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

I am wondering if it is common for Catbirds to also eat raisins?We have a tray of raisins for the Robins and add some water to it.The Orioles like the sweetened water and now we see the Catbird also helping himself,as well several Warblers are enjoying this food source.
Blessings,Ruth

Jeremy Joslin, MD said...

Great ideas, but how do you deal with the squirrels? I can't keep anything out for the birds except hummingbird feeders (good tip that several is better than one) and a single feeder suctioned to the window that the squirrels can't get to (oh, but they try).

Montanagirl said...

Great shot of the Catbird. I've (finally after 8 years) had two male Baltimore Orioles coming to the grape jelly. I was so excited and got some great photos of them.

Lillian Stokes said...

Jeremy,
You need to hang feeders or fruit dishes on a pole that has a squirrel baffle on the pole. For more info on dealing with squirrels see here:
http://www.stokesbirdsathome.com/birding/
feeding/feedingpages/feeding102.html