I have been enjoying feeding wild birds for many years and about three years ago I decided to join the
Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program through the
National Wildlife Federation to help promote the protection of our local birds. I thought it would only take a little more effort, however, because of the abundant wildlife menacing with my bird feeders and the plants in my garden beds it has been a challenge.
Every time I think I have the perfect new setup something happens. The latest invasion was a bear who tore down everything and carried three of my feeders away (see
earlier post for details). See the bear claw/teeth marks in the thistle feeder?
However, as you can see by the photos, it is worth the extra effort that I have had to put into feeding the birds. They are so much fun to watch and they are beautiful. I now take the bird feeders in every night and put them out each morning. The birds are always waiting and so are the squirrels, who are frustrated because they can't get into the feeders anymore...very funny! My husband also reinforced the pole holding all of the feeders with a solid pipe.
Pudge and Tony are glad that I continue to put the extra effort in to keeping the birds around, too! Enjoy!
Your pictures are wonderful! We also love to feedt the birds but it is a challenge. I am not sure why you can not just put up a sign BIRDS ONLY and everyone respects it! We have been taking our feeders in at night also and out only during the day. The problem with that is they start singing for their food about 5 am over here!
ReplyDeleteI have to say I am not a fan of feeding the birds, first they make the dogs crazy, secondly it attracks them to my garden, and the birds in georgia ate my tomatoes! So for now they are on their own, my cardinal is very friendly and screams at us all the time. He seems to enjoy making the dogs crazy and watching me in the garden.
ReplyDeleteOur dogs do not pay any attention to the birds. It is the squirrels that drive them crazy! The only thing that the birds ate in our garden was the blueberries and they had to fight the chickens for those :) The dogs do like to chase the crows out of the yard but that is okay because I don't like them!
ReplyDeleteIf I keep the birds well fed, they seem to leave my berries and garden alone. Lucy loves watching the birds, but chases the squirrels, crows and stellar jays away.
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