Birding in the Upstate

Upstate New York is  a bottleneck for migration routes.
Birds pass through every spring and autumn, with 459 species in record...

Migrating Birds Know No Boundries...

 

The birds fly long distances in search of food, water, shelter and space: the same basic things that you
 need to survive. The migrating birds follow the same routes year after year by using landmarks, the sun, moon,
and stars. Some species even have their own internal compass in their brains to help direct them instinctively.
Along these routes, they encounter many different types of habitats, from country and forest to neighborhoods
and big cities, and at times, encounter dangers from both natural and manmade hazards.

 

What Is Birding?

In its most basic sense, birding, or bird watching, is the recreational hobby of observing species of wild birds, including their physical characteristics and behavior. In reality, birding is much more than a simple hobby and there are many benefits of birding that can be enjoyed by both novice and experienced birders.

Birding Is Popular

There are more than 50 million birders in the United States and millions more throughout the world, making it one of the most popular and most rapidly growing hobbies in the world. Because birding is easy for all ages to enjoy, it is a popular family activity that can lead to a lifelong hobby. Birding has also been enjoyed by many noteworthy individuals, including former president Jimmy Carter and celebrated James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

Birding Is Educational

As birders observe new species, they not only learn about different birds, but they also learn about migration, bird behavior, feed preferences, courtship and bird territories. Dedicated birders who want to attract more birds often study landscaping and geography as well. The practice of photographing birds can lead to a study of photography, while frequent use of field guides makes birders experts in detailed observation and species comparison.

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Garden Maintenance: Feeding Winter Birds
by Jason Adams
 

With the arrival of December, the holidays are on the forefront of everyone’s mind, with the possible exception of Ebenezer Scrooge. Gift-giving gardeners would do well to remember their feathered gardening helpers this year, who may have trouble finding enough to eat now that the growing season has passed. Food is particularly important to birds this time of year since it is used to keep them warm during the long winter nights.

A cardinal finds food and shelter at the neighborhood birdfeeder.  
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Fall and winter are perfect times to put out birdfeeders. Even if you live in a temperate climate, food may be scarce due to the increase in migratory birds that are enjoying the mild climate. Birdfeeders are particularly important when deep snow and ice may make it difficult for birds to reach natural food sources. Birdfeeders are typically covered and off the ground, and provide a stationary location where birds know food can usually be found.

 
Even in warmer climes, birdfeeders provide needed food. If the birdfeeder is kept full, birds will quickly learn to make it a part of their daily food gathering routine. Bags of birdseed mix are usually inexpensive and can easily be found at most department stores, lawn and garden centers, or hardware stores. Just be sure you purchase the right mix for the birds typically seen in your yard. If you don’t know which kind of seed your
birds prefer try looking them up at the library or online.

 

Putting out suet, which is made from fat, is an excellent high-energy food source for many birds. Nuts of any kind from your freezer or pantry will be welcomed, as well as raw hamburger will be loved by many birds in the cold weather. Save any leftover bread, cereals, and crumbs and put them out separately or mix these into the suet.

Mealworms can be obtained from your neighborhood bait shop, wild bird store, or you can even order them over the Internet. Mockingbirds, bluebirds, and other hungry birds will eagerly gobble up these insect treats.

Another way to help is by using your holiday decorations to provide bird-friendly meals. Trim a tree in your yard with suet cakes, pines cones covered in peanut butter and rolled in seeds, and dried apple circles. Strings of popcorn and berries also make eye-catching decorations, but also tasty treats. And the best part is you don’t have to take down the decorations once the holidays have passed. Chances are neighboring wildlife will have beat you to it.

Don’t forget that water is also very important in winter. Consider keeping a birdbath filled regularly with fresh water. If temperatures dip below freezing in your area, a heated birdbath is even better.

Following these simple suggestions will help keep the birds in your yard safe and happy all season long. Next year, when a cardinal or nuthatch lands outside your window and decides to share his song, you’ll be glad you did.

 

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 All About Hummingbirds


 

Hummingbirds are the flying jewels of the birding world with their vibrant personalities
 and glittering feathers. For birders just discovering these unique birds, learning the facts
about hummingbirds can make observing them even more rewarding.


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Nesting Humminbirds


~Photos Courtesy of Maggie~
 

The female hummingbird will usually lay 2 eggs, sometimes only one. The humming bird eggs will be white and less than half an inch long, about the size of a jelly bean. She will incubate the eggs for two to three weeks.

When hatched, the baby hummingbirds will be completely naked and about an inch long. Baby Ruby-throated hummingbirds weigh about .62 grams. For comparison, 3 newly hatched baby Ruby-throated hummingbirds would weigh less than one American dime.

The female hummingbird will stay on the nest when the baby hummingbirds are small, only leaving for a few minutes each hour to look for food.

As the baby hummingbirds get feathers and start to grow, she will spend more time away from the nest searching for food to feed the babies.

The female will feed them with a mixture of nectar and tiny insects and spiders, that she will collect in her crop and regurgitate the mixture into the mouths of the young. The insects and spiders will provide the protein that the baby hummingbirds need to grow. The the baby hummingbirds will be ready to leave the nest in about three weeks.
 

These photos were captured by a Panasonic DMC FZ20 digital camera.
It's wonderful 12x zoom lens, managed to retrieve these images without creating
too much stress for Mom and the babies.

 

 

Feeder on a Dime

Save time and money with this simple feeder that songbirds will love!

By Dottie Baltz, Pennellville, New York

PPlatform feeders are one of the most popular options for attracting backyard birds. You could easily spend $50, $75 or more to buy one, but don't waste your money! Instead, build your own for less than $10!

What You Will Need

  • 4 pieces of rough cedar, cut to 15/16 x 2 x 9-1/16 inches

  • 4 pieces of molding strips, cut to 1/2 x 3/4 x 9-1/4 inches

  • 1 10 x 10-inch piece of aluminum screen

  • 8 1-1/2-inch panel nails

  • 16 1-inch panel nails

  • 4 8mm or 1/2-inch eye screws

  • 4 10-inch-long pieces of No. 16 jack chain (chain for hanging plants)

  • 1 link of chain about 1-1/4 inch long (larger chain for hanging plants)

  • Exterior wood glue

  • Scissors

  • Ruler

  • Needle-nose pliers

  • Duct tape

  • Hammer

  • Drill

  • 1/16-inch drill bit

  • Handsaw

Instructions

  1. Once the wood and screen are cut to size, assembly is pretty simple. The finished feeder will be 10 inches wide, 10 inches long and 2-3/4 inches high. The first step is to glue the four pieces of cedar together to make a square box (see diagram). Wipe off any glue that may have oozed out the sides, then allow to dry. diagram

  3. Hammer in two 1-1/2-inch panel nails at each intersection to help reinforce the glue.

  4. Determine which side you would like to be the top. Place the frame bottom-side-up on your work surface, then center the aluminum screen on top of it. You can use a staple gun to attach the screen to make it easier to handle, but it is not necessary.

  5. Place the molding strips on top of the screen, again forming a box, overlapping the joints of the feeder to add strength.

  6. Hammer four of the 1-inch panel nails, evenly spaced, along each side to secure the molding and screen to the base of the feeder.
  7. Turn the feeder over so the screen is closest to your work surface. With a ruler, determine the center of each side and mark it with a pencil or by making an indentation with an eye screw.
  8. Using a 1/16-inch drill bit, drill a pilot hole no deeper than 1/4 inch in the center of each side. This hole will help prevent the wood from splitting when you attach the eye screw.
  9. Screw in the eye screw to each side using the pilot holes. You may need to use a pair of needle-nose pliers to help you turn the eye screw. Put a piece of duct tape on the end of the pliers if you find it is scratching the metal.
  10. Attach one 10-inch length of chain to each eye screw, using the pliers to open and close the links.
  11. Attach the end of each 10-inch chain to the larger link to make the hanger. Then hang and wait for your feathered friends to arrive!
For more of Dottie's projects, visit her Web site.

 

 

 

 

     
Click here if you find an injured
or orphaned hummingbird
 

Hummingbird Nectar

Here is my recipe for homemade hummer nectar:

Do not use honey nor red dye!

Use a ratio of 4 parts boiling water to 1 part sugar.

Cool before filling your feeder. Store any unused syrup in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Always clean your feeder thoroughly before adding fresh nectar.

 
 

Backyard Birdscapes

(LOCAL)

 

RENSSELAER BIRD CENTER

 

The Zen Birdfeeder

 

the Sibley Guide to Birds

 

Eastern Bluebird is the State Bird of New York



Attracting Bluebirds to
 your Garden
 
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 For the protection of birds and their habitats

Audubon New York

A chapter of the National Audubon Society
 
 
 

 

 



 European Kingfisher - Ilia Shalamaev

 

Bea Eaters - Ilia Shalamaev

 


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