Cool New Birdwatching Videos!

Posted on January 20, 2006 by Kathi

In a departure from our usual text-based content, I am bringing you some interesting new birdwatching videos today!

People do love watching videos, and birdwatchers are no exception, so I thought adding some video to the site might be fun. Here is a birdwatching video that I thought my readers might enjoy, which is on How to Get Started with Birdwatching. (It’s 1 hour and 18 minutes long, but you can mouse over it to pause it at any point if you need a break.)

Just click the control buttons to view them:

OK, so the quality isn’t always top notch. But that’s all Google is providing right now and I can’t control it. Still, the audio is great and you CAN see the pics; they’re just a little grainy.

Enjoy!
Kathi

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Use Birdwatching to Connect With Your Children & Teens

Posted on January 13, 2006 by Kathi

If you are looking for an activity that you can enjoy with your kids, whether they’re 5 years old or 15 years old, you might want to explore the popular hobby of bird watching. It is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in America – and a great way for families to enjoy time together.

What you’re about to read is the result of ongoing interaction over years with many birdwatching enthusiasts. This article was written to answer some of the frequently asked
questions about birdwatching with kids and to address common issues of interest. I hope you’ll find this information helpful.

“What IS Bird Watching?”

Birdwatching is more than just observing birds. It is an interest in the actual birds – their names, markings, activities, songs and habitats. Not only does it encourage children (and adults) to learn about birds, but gets everyone outside, while building an appreciation for local wildlife and nature in general.

Bird watching doesn’t require you to have a strong knowledge of birds; you can learn side by side with your kids as you begin together to locate and identify local wild birds. You can keep a list of the birds you’ve spotted and help one another figure out what species you’ve seen by making notes of the color, size and markings on the bird. You may even start to learn their calls and can challenge yourself to identify the birds by their songs.

“Where Can We Go to Bird Watch?”

Birdwatching with your kids can be as simple an activity as setting up a bird feeder in your backyard and watching the local wild birds that come to you. However, your children will no doubt appreciate it if you spend more time outdoors, properly geared up for an outing of bird watching with you.

You will soon learn about the specific habitats that birds live in around your home. As you become familiar with local birds, you may even want to plan trips to other areas that will feature different species than you have locally. Watch as your children eagerly try to identify these new birds before you do!

“What Do We Need to Get Started with Birdwatching as a Family?”

Birdwatching is a cheap hobby to engage in. If you are going to be outside, you will want everyone to have proper attire – including an extra pair of socks and a hat.

Other than that you will need at least one pair of binoculars, although it is more fun if everyone has their own pair, so nobody misses out on a sighting. A bird book (called a field guide) will also help you to identify the birds you see. You should find one that features birds in your area since it will also give you suggestions about where to find them.

Here is a link to a few great guides:
BirdWatching Books

If your children are older, you should also take a notepad and camera. Take notes on birds you can’t identify and look them up at home with your children to determine what you saw. You might also develop a list of local birds to be on the lookout for and then check them off as you see them. This is great for kids who thrive on challenge!

Bird watching is a fantastic hobby that the whole family can enjoy. Try it for yourselves one afternoon and see how you and your children bond while enjoying the fresh air and local scenery!

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Make Sure You Feed Your Birds the Right Stuff

Posted on December 21, 2005 by Kathi

The bird feeding experience is influenced by the quality of the wild bird food presented and the effectiveness with which it is made available to the birds. Foods vary greatly in their attractiveness, as will be discussed later, and some bird feeders have a much higher innate attractiveness than others. For example, “squirrel-proof” feeders tend to have more of a low innate attractiveness to birds than feeders that are not designed to be squirrel-proof. Therefore their use results in a less satisfactory bird feeding experience than would be the case if an attractive non-squirrel-proof feeder were presented and squirrel-proofed through external means, such as baffles.

It is very important that care be taken in what to feed wild birds and what not to. Birds are very complex animals that are not domesticated. They require very specific care in order to remain healthy and happy. So some suggestions are given below of what not to feed wild birds.

Wild birds should never be given chocolates even though like humans they love chocolates too. Chocolate is bad for birds because it is high in calories and fat and also contains a compound called theobromine. Birds due to their smaller size and more rapid metabolism may be even more susceptible to its toxic effects. Signs of chocolate toxicity include: hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias, seizures, dark colored droppings and death.

Salt is important, but it should be avoided in large quantities because then it can lead polydipsia, or increased water consumption and subsequent polyuria, or increased fluid (urine) in the droppings. Because excess salt is excreted via the kidneys, a bird with mild to moderate kidney dysfunction may consume toxic doses of salt readily.

Alcohol should not be fed to wild birds. There is incidence of birds that died by accident while flying under the influence.

Organically grown food should be avoided because sometimes they have pesticide sprayed as well that act like toxins for wild birds.

Avocado causes ingestion, irritation and excessive preening, cessation of eating, rapid short breaths and death.

When fruits are fed to birds remove the pits and seeds and give in limited amounts because they have a high amount of sugars.

Caffeine should be shunned, for example, tea and coffee.

Birds are lactose intolerant so avoid giving in a lot of milk products to them because this can make them suffer with severe diarrhea.

Iceberg lettuce has no calories and must not be fed.

Mushrooms have the potential of being toxic.

For more great birdfeeding ideas, get our Birding for Everyone library of ebooks now at http://www.complete-bird-watching-guide.com/birding-package.html

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How to Get Rid of Unwanted Guests at Your Birdfeeder

Posted on December 6, 2005 by Kathi

Hello Friend,

Once you get your bird feeding station up and running, you may run into problems with
uninvited guests.

These visitors fall into two categories — those interested in the seeds (squirrels and chipmunks, rats and mice, starlings and house sparrows), and those interested in a bird for dinner (cats and hawks).

If you have trees, you will get to know squirrels. You may marvel at their antics, until they take over your birdfeeders. Then you’ll either love them or hate them. Those who love squirrels as well as birds tolerate their visits, and may even encourage them with special squirrel toys and feeders. But you will live to regret doing so, so be careful.

When a squirrel is at the feeder, you’re not likely to see birds. Squirrels will scare off the birds while they eat the birdseed, and sooner or later, they’ll eat the feeder too. The simplest solution is to squirrel-proof the feeder or pole, and store your seed in a metal garbage can.

Chipmunks, rats and mice can also become a problem where there’s seed spillage under the feeder. Don’t use mixed birdseed, and if you don’t have a squirrel problem, add a feeder tray.
Crow, house sparrow and starling problems can be eliminated with the right birdseed and
birdfeeder selection.

Cats are another story altogether. Feral cats and your neighbor’s tabby are a serious threat to nestlings, fledglings and roosting birds. Too often, the presence of just one cat on the prowl near your feeder can take the enjoyment out of your backyard bird watching experience.

When a cat sits drooling under your feeder, you’re not likely to see any birds. You’re bound to feel much worse when you find a pile of feathers on the ground. If your neighbor is reasonable, suggest a bell collar. If that doesn’t work, consider getting yourself a pet — a dog. Birds don’t seem to be bothered by most dogs, but cats and squirrels are.

If there are no cats in your neighborhood and you find a pile of feathers near your feeder, look for a hungry hawk perching on a tree nearby. Don’t get upset. Consider yourself fortunate to see one, right in your backyard. Cooper’s and sharp-shinned hawks eat birds and play an important role in the natural community.

Don’t put out poisons, or try to trap them, since all birds of prey — eagles, owls and hawks — are protected by Federal law.

For more tips and information like these, you should check out The Birding Manual and the other books in the Birding for Everyone package at http://www.complete-bird-
watching-guide.com/birding-package.html.

Until next time, life is for the birds!
Kathi

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Tips for Successful Bird Feeding

Posted on November 29, 2005 by Kathi

Hello …

How are you today? I have a great article for you in this post about bird feeding. Ready? Let’s go!

Bird feeding tips: Some birds are seed eaters, others eat fruit, some eat insects, and some flower nectar. Some birds prefer feeding on the ground, and others prefer higher up. Some are winter visitors, or visit during summer or migration only, and others are year-round residents.

The types of bird feeders that work best are plastic or metal feeders. In general, seed-feeders fall into three categories: tray feeders, hopper feeders, and tube feeders. Additional specialty feeders include suet, hummingbird, and peanut feeders.

Place the bird feeding stations near trees or bushes where wild birds can seek cover from soaring or stalking predators. Then set the birdbath near conifers out of the way of cold north winds. Conifers play an imperative role because they provide shelter and nesting sites as well as protection from predators.

One study estimated that over 97 million birds collide with windows each year, and collisions can occur when frightened birds fly out from bird feeders. A good spot to place a feeder is in a somewhat open area but within about 10 feet of cover such as bushes or trees.

If no wild bird comes close to your bird feeder for a few days, sprinkle some seeds on the ground. In this way, it will make room for birds to be attracted and concentrate towards the feeder.

Do not feed wild birds during the nesting season (April 15-July) because then nest predators such as jays, raccoons, and squirrels can attack. Birds do not need bird feeders during the nesting season because insect and seeds are plentiful and birds feed their young high protein insects to ensure healthy chick growth.

Small black oil-type sunflower seeds are overall the most favorite birdseed, so these normally are the major portions of seeds offered. They have high energy content, and the thin shells allow easy use by smaller birds such as chickadees, pine siskins, juncos, and native sparrows, as well as cardinals. One seed combination that is attractive to a wide range of birds is: 50 percent sunflower seeds, 35 percent white proso millet, 15 percent finely cracked corn.

Oats, buckwheat, and cracked corn are also an essential feed for larger wild birds, such as crows, that push the smaller birds aside. Cracked corn sprinkled on the ground distracts them from the bird feeders.

Suet is a good choice for attracting insect-eating birds such as nuthatches and woodpeckers. Most suet is beef kidney fat, which is inexpensive and easily available.

Clean water should also be provided on daily basis.

Vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Carrots have Vitamin A; broccoli has calcium. Frozen mixed vegetables can be thawed and fed daily.

For more great birdfeeding ideas, get our Birding for Everyone library of ebooks now at http://www.complete-bird-watching-guide.com/birding-package.html

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