Sweet Treats

This project should be a tad easier.  Everyone has a sweet tooth, and birds are not exception.  The ingredients are listed and the birds that should be attracted to these treats are titmice, nuthatches, waxwings and starlings.  So gather all the things you will need and if you want, we can make these at our birding party.

For all the adventuresome ones who try this on their own, please take pictures of your creations and we will post them on our site. 

The simplest way to attract birds to your backyard, is to put out food for them, particularly during the months of winter when natural food becomes much scarcer.  However, you may provide appropriate food for backyard birds throughout the year if you want.  Whatever feeding method you decide upon, be consistent.

First Project - Bottle Feeder

Well everyone we have our first project.  This one is a feeder, actually a 'Bottle Feeder'.  This feeder doesn't require a lot of supplies, so I hope some will be able to put this one together.  Please note in the instructions, it tells you exactly what you will need, with some pictures to help with the assembly.  So, here is the first one, if this one seems too difficult, keep checking back for others that may suit you better.

Keep in mind, that if you have different types of feeders with different foods, you will attract different kinds of birds.  Post a comment if you need me to email the instructions.  Just click on the instructions and it will blow it up so you can read it.

Backyard Birds

So San and I met up today for another impromptu gathering.  Her husband had to work, and mine went upstate with some friends to go four wheeling.  So we did what girlfriends do, we went out to lunch.  And then we went to one of our favorite stores.  Can you guess which store??? I am sure most of you can, it was Border's Book Store.

We walk in and go off in our separate directions to search the shelves for books and magazines to peruse.  Loaded down with quite a few books we settle in at a table, San orders her triple chocolate hot chocolate and I order my cup of tea and we read. 

San finds this great book on 'Attracting & Feeding Backyard Birds' on the bargain shelf, and after we looked through it we came up with this great idea. 

We are going to host a birding and bonding party!  We will have all kinds of birding projects to do, bird houses to paint, bird feeders to make.  And of course bird food ideas.  We will post on a regular basis birding ideas that you can choose from and then we will get together and bond while birding.
Spring is here, so more and more birds will be looking for homes and food.  So stay tuned and we will start posting great birding ideas.

BIRD OF THE WEEK - Week Two (COMMON GRACKLE)

Most of the week I have heard a cacophony of bird song, (if you want to call it song),  from the Common Grackles in our area.  They are distinctly non-musical.  Like the Song Sparrow, each Common Grackle may have their own slight variation of the call.  The call is raspy, metallic, and harsh, often ending with a high squeak.  Unlike the Song Sparrow, you will usually notice several Common Grackles at a time, all singing together, but definately not in unison.  Look for them in the tops of trees.  In flight, the males tail feathers are vertical, like the rudder of a boat.  It is very noticeable, once you are aware of it.  To have a listen, please visit www.enature.com/birding/audio.asp.  Once there, scroll down to "Perching Birds".  Then click on "Blackbirds".  Go to page 2 and click on "Common Grackle".   Happy Birding!

Blue Jay!!!!!

Well, we don't have too much to say.  We didn't go birding this weekend.  The weather was cool and damp. So we don't have any birding adventures to share, BUT, we did get together for lunch to spend some quality non-birding time together, and on the way out of the driveway we finally saw a Blue Jay!  We both see them everyday, but never when we are together.  So now it is official, we can add Blue Jay to our list!  We had decided to stop by Sweet Briar Nature Preserve after lunch, but by the time we were leaving, it was raining.  Drat!  We're happy about the Blue Jay though.  Until we bird again................

Song Sparrow

I heard it this morning!  As soon as I walked outside, I was greeted with the serenade of the Song sparrow.  I will keep listening all week. 

Impromptu Hike

Saturday San and Romeo stopped by for a short visit while my husband and I were outside working in the yard.  It was such a wonderful day, that we decided to take an impromptu hike through Byldenburgh County Park.  We entered the park from the back entrance and immediately started our trek through the woods.

Romeo was psyched and rearing to go,  as he 'dragged' us along the trail, we were hopeful that our feathered friends were out taking advantage of the beautiful day as well.

Once we started along the path we soon realized this couldn't be an official 'Birding Adventure'.  Romeo was determined to 'mark' every tree, shrub, bush and blade of grass we came upon.  (As you can see in the picture)  Other than a few horses taking their owners for a spin, and a jogger here and there, there wasn't much activity on the ground or in the air.
Finally we spotted some ducks on the lake (I think it's a lake) which we didn't recognize at first glance.  After quite a few guesses we identified them as the Ring-Necked Duck.  The only problem is this Duck is not on Long Island all year round.  So we must stick to our rules and not add them to our list. 

Even though I consider myself a birder, and the fact that I have lived on the Island just about my entire life, and I never noticed the Ring-necked Duck before.  Birding and Bonding has not only brought San and I closer, but I have learned alot these past few weeks. 

Our goal was to make it to the dog park in Bldenburgh, but walk as we may it was not anywhere in sight.  Poor Romeo by this time was dying of thirst, so doing as dogs do and much to San's chagrin, he was drinking from the muddy puddles.  This convinced us that we should turn back before it got dark.  On the way back down the path there was a noise in the bushes.  Try as we might whatever it was it did not want to be seen.  We at first thought it was perhaps Deer, but that we would see.  Whatever it was it remains a mystery.  On the long walk back we resigned ourselves to the fact that we could not add anything to our list this weekend.  Then all of a sudden we both heard a bird in the woods, we finally spotted him with our binoculars and after about 15 minutes we determined that it was a Red-breasted Woodpecker which we already have on our list.

Also, one thing you should always do, even though your eyes are in the sky looking for birds, you must keep track of where you are going.  This is advise San and I could have used.  We got lost on the way back, only for a little while.  We knew the direction we needed to go in, but we somehow missed the path we came down originally and Romeo was no help at all. Finally we made our way out of the woods and back to the car.  

So until the next 'scheduled' adventure keep birding one and all.

BIRD OF THE WEEK - Week One (SONG SPARROW)

Happy Spring everyone!  It truly was a springlike day.  It has been all week.  As my vocation takes me out of doors most days, I get to enjoy my avocation at the same time.  This week there has been a symphony of singing birds.  All of them vying to be the first BIRD OF THE WEEK bird!  I gave each audition serious consideration.  And the winner is:  SONG SPARROW.  While many birds were heard this week, what tipped the scales in favor of the Song Sparrow was the timing.  If you wake up early any given morning, listen to the birds outside.  Chances are you will hear a Song Sparrow singing as the sun comes up.  Their song varies by region, but is usually two or three introductory notes, followed by various notes and trills.  The song is sometimes represented as maids, maids, maids, put on your tea kettle, ettle, ettle.  To listen to the song of a Song Sparrow, click on the following link:  www.birdjam.com/learn.php.  Once there, scroll down and click on the Song Sparrow Song and Sounds.  Keep in mind the songs vary, but once you have an ear for it, you will hear them everywhere.  They sing throughout the day.  I think they are more noticable in the morning because they seem to be the first birds singing each day.  Look for them on bare branches or sitting on a wire.  Song Sparrows are easier to find once you hear them.  Their brown and white coloring sometimes make them hard to spot if you don't know where to look.  I hope this first lesson in Bird Song heightens your awareness of the wonderful variety of birds our Heavenly Father has given us for our enjoyment!  I'd love to hear from you.

Why Bird?

It is a wonderful feeling to have the opportunity to give someone "the perfect gift."  It never coincides with a special occasion.  It usually happens at odd times when you stumble across something that you just know so-and-so will absolutely love.  So you have to give the gift right away because you want that person to be as excited as you are.  I recently had such an opportunity.  I saw something that I just knew a fellow blogger would love and appreciate.  It was something small, but her response was just as I had hoped.  Janis, is a lover of all things Americana and rustic. A photo of that gift now adorns her Blog.  I am pretty sure she liked it!  Check it out at http://www.asthecrowflies-raven.blogspot.com/.


Now back to "Why Bird?"  If you have read Ar's post from yesterday, (which I have not) you know that we were each the recipient of "the perfect gift."  (I know she blogged about it because I see there is a picture of the gift on her post.)  What constitutes "the perfect gift" is, of course, different for everyone.   This gift is perfect for me for several reasons.   First of all, I have never seen a book quite like this one.  There have been many books written on Where to Bird, or When to Bird, or How to Bird.  This book, written by a birder of more than thirty years, explores the joys that birders have birding, which answers the question, "Why Bird?"  Secondly, it is written and illustrated beautifully.  It reminds me of my grade school text books. (And as the giver of this gift knows, I love text books!)  Thirdly, it arrived unexpectedly, just like the beautiful spring day we were enjoying in mid-March.  Lastly, and most importantly, the giver of the gift is a loyal friend and a kindred spirit.  I know she would be birding with us if we were not seperated by six or seven hundred miles.  She knows me well and I know this was truly a gift of the heart.  Many, many thanks to Kristyn and hubby Patrick.  I will cherish it always.  I look forward to the time when we can all bird together.

Golden Rules of Birding

When I got home tonight, tired and worn out, actually starting to believe that daylight savings time has me off kilter, when I noticed a package that had come in the mail and immediately I hoped it was for me.  Because like everyone else (that will admit it anyway) loves to get mail. 

It was a package from our 'daughter and her husband' in North Carolina.  I was so excited, all I wanted to do was rip it open but we had company over and dinner was already on the table 'cause my son picked it up on his way home. 

As we are eating dinner, I keep glancing back at the 'package' I so wanted dinner to be over so I could open it up.  At last, the last morsel was eaten and I can now open it and see what was waiting patiently for me inside.  Now, what could it possibly be...it was hard, so I figured it was a book.  So when I opened it I saw it was a book, at first I thought it was a journal, but no it was a book on birding.  101 Golden Rules of Birding.  What a surprise, Kristyn and Patrick have been reading our blog, and they sent both San & I the wonderful book pictured above.

How great is this, as I flip through the pages, one of the first things that catch my eye is the section entitled 'Birding Buddies'.  In this chapter it mentions that 'Birding is a solid foundation for many friendships, because it gives you plenty to talk about'.  How true this is.

So San and I will continue blogging, birding and bonding.  We welcome all to join us on our blog and experience the adventure with us.

Thank You Kristyn with a 'y' and Patrick.  We love you dearly.

Guilty

I must say, I feel guilty for not blogging the entire week.  We have been crazy busy, our first tax deadline is March 15th which is Monday.  So all corporate tax returns must be sent out today to make it on time. 

That said, each day I see more and more birds at the feeder, so last Sunday I tried experimenting with my backyard birds to see if they would eat out of my hand.  The weather was perfect, so since our feeders were empty I thought it would be the perfect time to try since they would be looking for any food they could get.  (I figured they wouldn't be to picky where the food was.)  But of course they would prove me wrong.  So while my husband was filling the feeders and me with food in both hands I positioned myself right next to my feeders and I waited.  Not a bird in sight.  I wasn't expecting any miracles, but who knows.  Now after about 5 minutes, still not a bird in sight.  So my husband hangs up all the filled feeders, and wouldn't you know it I hear birds behind me, meanwhile I am still standing still with arms invitingly stretched out but still no takers.  Then they come, about a half dozen Tufted Titmouse.  Not of course to my hands but to the feeders filled with the split nuts.  Once they landed on the feeder they took one look at me and couldn't quite make out what on earth I was doing near their dinner table.  Most of them would fly to the feeder, see me and fly away.  But I still persevered waiting for a Black Capped Chickadee since they don't seem to care whose hand feeds them.  Finally my waiting paid off.  I saw two Chickadee's and they were checking me out.  So guess what happened next....  My husband and son decide to come out into the backyard and away fly all the birds.  I will try again.

Greetings from Florida!

Just a quick hello.  Wish my BFF was here because the birding is great!! Been busy since we arrived at the folks.  Today the weather is very severe, thunderstorms and rain, tornado warnings.  Looks like it is clearing just a bit.  Good thing.  We are headed out to the meeting tonight.  Have just one picture to post.  I couldn't resist.  The bird may not be wild but the kids definitely are!

Sunken Meadow State Park

The time is finally here...we have been so looking forward to this day.  We were both so excited about our first sunny birding day.  We both had so many things to do before we met up today, but we forgot about all the running around as soon as we entered the gates into the park.  However, the sunny afternoon brought out a lot of nature lovers.  The boardwalk was a buzz with bike riders, joggers and lots of power walkers.  So we joined in and began our trek on the boardwalk heading into the sun.  The beach was not only crowded with folks taking advantage of the nice weather, but there were hundreds of gulls, so with our hats, earmuffs, gloves and warm jackets we went out onto the beach, and yes, it was cold.  Armed with our list of 52 birds (19 of which we've already seen) that had been spotted at Sunken Meadow since January 1, 2010, we had some very high hopes. 

We had no trouble spotting the Ring-Billed Gulls.  They were everywhere.  The only problem is that this is a bird that winters on Long Island.  In the summer it moves on to Canada.  So we are not allowed to count that one for the Long Island Native Species List.  We spotted some small ducks out on the Sound and spent, probably, too much time trying to identify them.  The result was that we never did identify them and got cold doing it!  We decided to walk up to the point where the sun went down behind the bluffs, after that we'd be walking in the shade, and it was too cold for that.  Happily were saw some Great Black-Backed Gulls.  That can be added to the list!

Since the beach was cold and windy we moved the car to Field 3.  There is a footbridge nearby over Sunken Meadow Creek.  We saw some additional ducks that we could not identify, try as we may.  So we moved on.  We followed a trail that we thought would lead us to the lagoon which empties into the Nissaquogue River.  We ended up high above the lagoon, with no way to get down.  We were forced to back track until we came to an opening in the fence where we were supposed to turn earlier.  Back on track, we quietly walked through the woods and along the creek.  Not hearing much and seeing less.  Then we heard a familiar sound.  The call of the Red-Winged Blackbird, always a sign that spring is coming.  Now if we could just find it, we'd be able to add it to our list!  We scanned the bank of the creek and there he was, on the other side, sitting happily on a branch, singing that spring song.

We finally made it to the lagoon, happy to find that there was no one on the one bench there.  We had been walking for about two hours and were looking forward to sitting a spell.  Not to much happening there either.  Then we spotted a bird sitting on a branch in the bushes by the water.  We were able to get within about six feet of this bird.  We had no idea what it was.  It was sort of beige with no markings.  Black beak, black legs.  We tried our best to find a bird that looked like him in our book.  The closest ones we could find were birds that were either here only in the summer or birds that are not ever here on Long Island!  Hmmm!  We took lots of photos of him.  We had to get closer.  Well, we got too close for his comfort.  He flew away.  And at that moment we knew we had been "punked"!  It turned out to be a Northern Mockingbird.  His grey color looked beige with the setting sun.  I am sure he was mocking us, this Mockingbird disguised as an Eastern Wood-Pewee!  Well, at least we can add him to our list!

By now it was getting much colder and more windy.  We headed back to the car.  Along the way, we heard a duck-like sound and saw something fly low across the creek.  Tried to find it, but to no avail.  There were many Grackles congregating in the trees above.  Another bird for the list.  Our last stop was on the road to the golf course.  We pulled the car over and got out, because we saw some ducks in the water, off in the distance.  We could not get a good look at them however, because the phragmites were in the way.  Oh well, we are able to add four birds to our list and we spent a wonderful afternoon together.  Next time the weather will be warmer and the days longer.  Until next time.  (Still haven't seen a Blue Jay together!)

Is must be spring

Today I left early as well so I could work a few hours before meeting the group.  And I heard something in one of my flower beds on the side of the house.  It was a chipmunk scampering around, so I said to myself it must be spring if they have come out in the opening already.

Another sign of spring was the dozens of Grackles at my feeder.  Even though they are beautiful birds with their iridescent heads, they tend to eat all my bird food and they scare off the less bold birds.

The most important sign that spring is almost here are our plans for this sunny afternoon.  I am very excited about going to Sunken Meadow.  I can't wait for 2pm.  I have my binoculars at the ready and the battery charging for my camera.  We will have our list in hand of all the birds already spotted at Sunken Meadow, so we will see how many we can spot.  We will let you know later.  Until then...

Wow!

I can't believe it... And to think I wanted to wait until the weather got better.  Now I am determined to try it in my backyard.  The only problem is I am not home much in actual daylight.  I will try this weekend since it threatens to actually be quite nice.  Congrats San I am truly envious. 

A Wonderful Thing Happened!

It's me!  The other half of Arsan.  I've been accused by my BFF of being a "blog slacker."  I know it has been a while since my last post.  Thought before I sat down to write this, that I would make another attempt at hand feeding the Chickadees in my backyard.  The feeders were on the low side, so I thought it might be a good time to try.  I made the mistake of first filling the suet feeder.  The Chickadees were having a field day with that.  I thought I would give it a whirl anyway, so there I stood with seed in the palm of my hand.  Two minutes, three minutes, five minutes, ten minutes.  There were about four Chickadees coming and going, some to the seed feeder, some to the suet feeder, moving about from branch to branch in the weeping cherry tree.  Then the reward!  A Chickadee landed right in the palm of my hand!  He flew off with a sunflower seed.  I stayed for several more minutes, but to no avail.  So, arm getting tired, I filled the feeders and went inside.  I was soooo excited that I wanted to call my BFF right away, but then thought it would be nice for her to see it on the blog.  In time I hope that all my Chickadees will feel free to come to me.

I have to give a shout out to our few faithful readers:  Janis, a very enthusiastic follower; Tom, who checks in on us every morning.  He recently gave me a book entitled, "A Seasonal Guide to Bird Finding on Long Island."  Boy, do we need that!  Even Mickey is reading our blog!  Thanks Mick! Then there is the other Janice who is helping me prepare for birding on a worldwide scale with a lovely book on "Bird Songs from Around the World".  That will have to wait for the new system, I do believe!  Thanks also to Jim, Virgie, Sue, Bev, Chris, Michael & Marisa, Cathy & Joe, Beth, Olivia and Chelsea.  Sorry if I missed anyone.  I hope there are others out there keeping up with the blog.  Stay tuned for our first week of  "Bird of the Week!"

Countdown to Spring & BOTW

This morning I could hear more variety of songs in my backyard.  I think they are encouraging us to start the Bird of the Week, but that is totally up to San as to when it begins.  But I can tell the birds are itching to be recognized merely by their songs whether we can see them or not.  This morning I also had the privilege of seeing a Red Tailed Hawk in a nearby tree.  There are a lot of us up and out very early, so its always a privilege to spot as many birds as I can in my short ride to work.

We had a comment that we should get out of our backyards for our birding adventures, but I must admit I have seen more birds in my backyard than I imagine the average person does.  It may be due in part because we look for them and are aware of them so naturally we spot them.  I've seen a Rose Breasted  Grosbeak, Baltimore Orioles, Pheasants, Northern Bobwhites and a Peacock, yes I said Peacock in all his glory.  Albeit that was a rare sighting since it must have been someone's pet., but we saw it nonetheless.  I truly hope this spring we find as wide a variety of birds, not only in our backyards but wherever our adventures take us.

Lion or Lamb?

Another snowy day...I love the snow, but spring is only 17 days away.  I am ready for it.  I want to continue our bird watching under more favorable conditions.  This Saturday I believe we are going to some local spots such as Sunken Meadow.  In the past we have seen there, Snowy Egrets and Cormorants.  Hopefully we can also spot a Black Duck. 

San and I are going to start experimenting with our Black capped Chickadee's.  So that is yet another reason why we need March to go out like 'a lamb' and be sunny and warm.  We want to start training our Chickadee's to feed out of our hands.  Since you have to be patient and stand still for quite a while, it's imperative that it be just a tad warmer.  Can't wait to start. 

Grateful

Last night as I working from home with my trusted laptop, I heard chirping outside my front window.  It was dusk, so I was surprised to hear a bird serenading me.  (Of course he was most likely singing to another bird, but I felt it was also for my pleasure as well)  When I got up to check things out it was lone House Sparrow in my Lilac bush right outside one of my front window.  Not sure what he was up to but I was truly grateful for having him there.

Later that night my husband and I were meeting up with San and her husband for dinner.  On the way there we saw a mysterious looking Moon hiding behind a thin layer of mist.  It was beautiful, and of course my first response was to email my BFF to make sure she saw it.  After dinner, the Moon was bright and radiant against the clear blackness of the night sky.  Again I was grateful that we take the time to notice all the wonderful things we can see and experience even in these difficult times.