February 14, 2023

| Grey Catbird by Laura Frazier |

For the seventh season in a row, Challenge FeederWatch and our sponsor Wild Birds Limitless are rewarding registered FeederWatchers with the prospect to win prizes. This yr, Celestron is becoming a member of the enjoyable and providing one pair of binoculars to every knowledge entry contest winner as properly. After getting into chicken counts (knowledge) into the FeederWatch web site, contributors have the chance to share a narrative, reminiscence, or tip by clicking the “Enter to Win” button on the Depend Abstract web page. We randomly choose two winners per immediate. Our second Knowledge Entry contest immediate this season was:

There are various methods to enhance habitat for wildlife. What do you do to make your yard a haven to your avian pals?

Congratulations to our winners, Pat Brown and Jennifer Gaus-Myers!

Pat shared:

Water is our habitat specialty! We reside on a lake in North Georgia, have a waterfall/pond function, and in addition place a dish of water close to the chicken feeding space that over 30 chicken varieties, 20+ deer, too many squirrels, and different critters take pleasure in. The skin house the place I feed birds is a ground beneath my huge kitchen window, in an space stuffed with deciduous and evergreen timber and shrubs, which incorporates massive timber for birds to roost and make nests in. There may be additionally brush for the wrens and different birds to make a house in.

Flower gardening is my ardour, offering extra meals for the birds. Hummingbirds love the perennial flowers, particularly the penstemon, pineapple sage, and trumpet vine. Instantly exterior my kitchen window is my favourite fig tree the place the birds usually land earlier than heading to the feeding space. Little did I do know, after I planted it, that it might enable me to take photos from just some ft away, providing the good thing about figuring out birds that normally too distant. This chicken sanctuary is a present that places a smile on my face day by day. All of the birds and critters adore it too!

Planting gardens and landscaping your yard with wildlife in thoughts is without doubt one of the finest methods to assist birds as they search out meals sources, nesting habitat, safety from predators, and extra. Not solely do vegetation present meals reminiscent of seeds, fruit, nectar, and sap, however additionally they present habitat for bugs, that are important for birds and their younger. Birds use timber and shrubs for canopy and safety from predators, and use plant fibers for nesting materials and nesting habitat. To study extra, try Challenge FeederWatch’s web page on Gardening For Birds.

Jennifer shared:

I’ve tried to fluctuate yard cowl utilizing native vegetation, shrubs, and timber, utilizing species with seeds and berries that entice birds. I don’t deadhead my flowerheads – I depart the lifeless stalks standing all winter [so that birds can access] seeds, hidden bugs, and perching spots. I’ve a mud bathtub space that I maintain clear and a heated chicken bathtub with a small bubbler. I don’t use pesticides; I let all of the invertebrates that birds may discover tasty have a house right here. Many birds nest in my tall spruces or my thick hedge. I take advantage of UV-reflective merchandise on my home windows to scale back impression. Moreover, I’ve two wren homes and a Jap Screech owl field…all on a 3rd of an acre!

Jennifer’s efforts are a terrific instance of what could be completed even should you solely have entry to a small plot of land! NestWatch, one other citizen science venture right here on the Cornell Lab, has a number of assets that may provide help to present nesting house for birds. Take a look at their Proper Chook, Proper Home software to seek out nest field development plans. You need to use the filters on this software to seek out species that reside in your location and habitat, then click on on the species web page to study their particular nesting preferences, obtain a development plan, and discover tips about the place and how one can set up the field. It’s also possible to discover ideas for putting in nest containers right here. For those who do put up a nest field, think about monitoring it for NestWatch! Solely thinking about placing out nesting supplies for birds to make use of? We advocate studying their nesting supplies weblog put up for ideas!

Because of everybody who participated and shared their tales – we want we might share all your submissions! Search for the prompts after you submit your subsequent rely and keep tuned for once we announce the subsequent knowledge entry contest winners on March 14th, 2023! E mail feederwatch@cornell.edu with questions, and skim the tales from previous winners on our weblog.

Enthusiastic about turning into a FeederWatcher? Be part of the enjoyable

<< Return to weblog residence