• Bird Accessories,  Bird Houses,  Decorative Bird Houses,  Nesting Material,  Uncategorized,  Unique Birdhouses

    Hang Nest Material with Decorative Bird Houses

    July 7, 2009 /

    decorative bird housesWant to entice more birds around your place?  If houses just aren’t getting the action you had hoped for, try adding nesting materials nearby.  Although not all birds use decorative bird houses, all will search out and gather some type of material for nest building. You’ll have a greater chance of seeing occupied birdhouses, and attracting more species.

    Some common types of nest materials found in nature include; grasses, pine needles, weed stems, twigs, bark, leaves, wood chips, moss, feathers, woven plant fibers lined with thistle or milkweed down, rootlets, and mud.

    Man made nesting materials (which you can put together at home) include; cotton, yarn strings, feathers, dryer lint, decorative mosses, and pet hair.  A mesh produce bag works great to secure and hang the bundle of material.  We made our own little sack using horse tail hair and dryer lint, and within days…the ball was shredded!  In amazement, our neighbor,  even asked “What was that?”

    Help both cavity dwelling birds and non-cavity dwellers to thrive with use of birdhouses and nesting material.  Please help house the birds!

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  • Bird Accessories,  Bird Feeders,  Bird Houses,  Nesting Material,  Uncategorized

    Bird Accessories for Better Backyard Birding

    July 5, 2009 /

    bird accessoriesBackyard Birding has come a long way, moving into one of mainstream’s biggest hobbies.

    The connection with nature is a huge relief and “de-stressor” from the everyday activities, and hustle-and-bustle for many folks.

    The good news is there are some great bird accessories designed to enrich your birding experiences and help feathered friends to thrive as well.

    Nesting material, for example, may attract birds who don’t use birdhouses (non-cavity dwelling birds). You’ll have a better chance of seeing more species, and fledglings,  just by adding this simple accessory.  It does not even have to be store-bought, you can make your own from dryer lint, pet hair, cotton yarns and string, mosses and things of that nature.  Just collect, roll in a ball and place in a mesh bag to hang from a tree or limb.

    Squirrel baffles are another excellent (and mandatory) bird accessory if you’ve got squirrels in your yard.  Baffles let you turn any bird feeder into a squirrel-proof bird feeder when used properly.  Many also work as weather guards too, saving seed from snow and rain.  Hanging baffles should be one-third larger than the feeder, and placed at least eight feet from any possible “launching spot” for squirrels.  Pole-mounted baffles need to be at least four feet from the ground, and again, eight feet from any possible launching spot.  You’ll save birdseed and money with use of a squirrel baffle.bird accessories

    Bird accessories also make lasting and excellent gifts for the nature-lover on your list.  Appreciated and actually used; what more could you ask for in a decent gift?

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  • Bird Accessories,  Bird Feeders,  Nesting Material,  Thistle Feeders,  Tube Bird Feeder,  Uncategorized,  Wild Bird Feeders

    Add Nesting Material Near Thistle Bird Feeders

    June 29, 2009 /

    thistle bird feedersIf you enjoy goldfinches and happen to feed thistle or nyjer seed to attract them, there’s more you can do to accommodate these little songbirds.  Adding nesting material near your thistle bird feeders will entice them to nest nearby.  This means a good chnace of seeing more finches and especially fledglings.  Although Goldfinches don’t use birdhouses, they will nest in hedges or trees.  They are the latest songbird to nest and breed with their season running from June to September. (So there’s still time).

    The House Finch, who also feasts at thistle feeders, has 1 to 3 broods per year, so they stay pretty busy building their nests – which can be found just about anywhere.  Check the Boston Ferns on your front porch before drenching them with water!

    Commercial nesting materials are available, but you can make your own fairly easily.  Using a mesh bag (from the produce section of the grocery store) start collecting dryer lint, yarn strings, pet hair, moss, and small twigs.  Gather materials and tie off bag to hang from a tree branch.  Your birds will be grateful for the easy pickings!nest material for thistle bird feeders

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