I shared a post about the pine siskins drinking from a partially frozen bathtub pond last Wednesday so this week I thought I'd show you their nearby feeding station. I have stationed two bird feeders on my deck rail where I can enjoy all of the birds from the kitchen table. The bird feeders contain both black oil sunflower seeds and safflower seeds as well. I also have 4-5 suet feeders in the vicinity of these bird feeders, and have recently added a plate full of mealworms. The variety of foods attracts not only siskins but: finches, sparrows (song, chipping, and house), juncos, cardinals, woodpeckers, chickadees, and titmice.
The whole rail is pretty busy with birds hopping everywhere elbowing their neighbors for a spot at the feeder. I enjoy the movement and color and antics of the birds all day long.
Everywhere you look in your garden you can enjoy life-even in the dead of winter in Tennessee....
in the garden....
I agree, Tina; I discovered several years ago that bird-watching was a great substitute for garden-watching in the winter.
ReplyDeleteTina, do you not have a problem with squirrels? They're the bane of our bird-feeding existence up here in Toronto. I admire your set-up.
ReplyDeleteHelen we do! Maybe not as bad as up north but they are in abundance here. I got a pellet gun for Christmas though and hope to do some retraining of the squirrels if they get to be too pesky. The dogs help to keep them away too plus I put the feeders close to the house. Thanks for asking. Looking forward to the Toronto Fling!
DeleteHi Tina. Love all your birds. I also put out mealworms. I initially did it for the Bluebirds and Mockingbirds, but have found that the sparrows enjoy them as well.
ReplyDeleteLove the bird feeder!!
ReplyDeleteWe have several feeders in the front, outside my office window, as well as along the back deck. My mom always loved watching birds, and I've inherited her love of birds. On the day after Christmas, Mikey headed outside with his new binoculars, a journal and pen to start documenting and observing the birds. Another generation, ready to take care of our feathered friends! I do worry, though, because our cats are not nice to the birds--so we try not to have any feeders too close to the ground. Lovely photos, as always, Tina! Happy birding!
ReplyDeleteLove those feeders. I have feeders all over my garden. I also put compressed corn on feeders for the squirrels. I really like these little guys. In fact I have "Itsy" living in the big oak tree in my back yard. I helped GD raise this little girl from being so young it's eyes weren't open. I think by spring I shall have some little "Itsy's". lol
ReplyDeleteYou know I love my birds girl and feed them year round. This time of year is fun as we may spot a new bird to the garden. I spotted what I think to be a kinglet come out of the silverberry bushes over the weekend. I must do a bit more surveillance before I can properly identify the cutie… I also have issues with the new birds to the yard and my sunroom windows. I have stain glass in each window to deter them but when they fly up from the ground quickly in a small flock, one usually hits the window. Luckily they do not always die from the hits….
ReplyDeleteI have been reporting on feed and photographing as well. Rose made a good point that it is a good substitute for garden watching. I use hulled sunflower seed because they don't make a mess, are completely eaten and are not phytotoxic for other plants.
ReplyDeleteIn my next post I have some good feeding ideas from Cornell and a very good downloadable PDF from them. Tina, you may have made it difficult for some of us WP users adding a comment here with changing over to Google. I hope I can get a comment through. I have been having trouble with Google on and off.
Hi Donna, I changed it back to open ID. Not sure what all the issue is with it but am glad you were able to get thru.
DeleteTina how great for the birds. I don't normally have feeders but we are trying suet this year. I usually have too many issues with squirrels and hawks. But we shall see!! With the snow, the birds need some supplemental food sources here.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite winter hobby is feeding and watching the birds. Since we got about a foot of snow since Christmas the birds are feeding like crazy. I make my own suet and just about can't make it fast enough.
ReplyDeleteI also started putting a few mealworms out for the bluebirds but so far the other birds get them before the bluebirds get a chance.
Nice feeder! We have a couple feeders on our deck that are always busy. Do you have squirrels trying to get to the seeds? We sure do! We send the dogs out often and squirrels go flying!
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