- Bats & Butterflies, Bird Accessories, Butterfly Feeder, Misters and Birdbath Drippers, Uncategorized
Blown Glass Butterfly Feeders
Garden accents that are unique and functional
Butterflies will grace your garden if proper habitat is provided. Food, water and shelter are the basics…same as any other species!
These hand blown glass butterfly feeders add a touch of whimsy to any garden. The large staked flowers may be filled with butterfly nectar, or used to hold over-ripened fruit. They may also be used as butterfly baths when filled with water. Butterflies will feast on oranges, bananas, melons and berries, but be sure and discard molded fruit. Nature’s feeders include flowers like marigolds, hibiscus, butterfly weed, and lavender to name just a few.
Another way to use water as an attractant for butterflies is with leaf misters. The gentle spray will entice these flying flowers to your yard and keep them around for the season. Provide shelter from the elements and from predators through landscape and butterfly houses.
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Improvision With a Butterfly Feeder
There are no set rules to enjoying wildlife in your backyard. Because a bird feeder is meant for birds, does it mean you couldn’t use it for squirrels if you wanted to? An old birdhouse can even be used for a sheltered feeding spot…sans the front wall. In my many years of backyard birding, I’ve learned to improvise with older items, keeping them useful for other species to enjoy.This past summer a small birdbath fell over (for the third time) and broke. The break was once again a clean one, so super glue to the rescue. This time I had the idea of turning the bath into a butterfly feeder. Relocated into the flower garden, I began placing orange quarters and banana chucks on it.
The first go-round didn’t work as sadly there were no butterflies seen. Another thing I’ve learned is persistence….if it doesn’t always work the first, or even second time-try again! After a few tries of experimenting with different fruits, the eagle had landed!. Three Monarch’s graced the garden and ate from the feeder. For that summer, I was lucky enough to have witnessed many species of butterflies. Unidentifiable technical names to me, but what a joy to have them around everyday!
- Bats & Butterflies, Bird Accessories, Butterfly Houses, Misters and Birdbath Drippers, Uncategorized
Add Food Near Butterfly Houses
They’ve earned the nickname “flying flowers” as the grace and beauty of butterflies in the garden is marvelous. If you enjoy seeing butterflies, there are steps you can take for maximum attraction next spring. Creating Habitat that butterflies find alluring is actually pretty simple. A great article on “How to Make a Butterfly Garden” from the University of Kentucky’s Entomology Department, can be found here: http://www.ca.uky.edu/ENTOMOLOGY/entfacts/ef006.asp Copy and paste this address in your browser’s address bar.
Food: Nectar is always an option, but butterflies adore over-ripe fruit. Oranges, bananas, melons, and grapes are just a few of the fruits the enjoy. Place fruit on a staked feeder dish, on the porch railing, or anywhere near the flower garden, raised where it may be seen. Be sure to remove if molded.
Water: Butterflies absolutely adore the gentle spray from Leaf Misters. You’ll see them flit back and forth through the fine mist daily once you’ve attracted them to your yard
Shelter: By providing butterfly houses, you’re offering shelter from both the elements and predators. Giving butterflies a sfe haven to rest helps attract them to your yard.
Birding Tips, Information & News
There are no set rules to enjoying wildlife in your backyard. Because a bird feeder is meant for birds, does it mean you couldn’t use it for squirrels if you wanted to? An old birdhouse can even be used for a sheltered feeding spot…sans the front wall. In my many years of backyard birding, I’ve learned to improvise with older items, keeping them useful for other species to enjoy.