Indigo Bunting Sighting
by Carol Paulsen (Member, Gideon Lincecum Chapter)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Spotted a male Indigo Bunting at 9:22 AM this morning flying along Meyersville Road near the intersection with 105. Looks like they are migrating back despite the cold weather. Hope he is headed to Monterrey’s house so she can get a picture for her Top Ten presentation.
Robin Sighting
by Randy Reddemann, (Member, Gideon Lincecum Chapter)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Observed the first Robin of the 2011 season near Independence, Washington County. In the 10+ years I’ve observed the winter bird populations in Northern Washington County, Robins are not known to over-winter here. I assume this is an early arrival for the trek northward. It was a refreshing sight announcing that spring can’t be too far away!
A New Year and Fresh Start for Birds
by Susan Solari (Member, Gideon Lincecum Chapter)
Begin the new year with a fresh start for your birds! Yes, they have lived without our help for hundreds of years….but as one who loves to watch them, I always like to do whatever I can to attract them to my property and make them feel welcome.
Currently I am seeing lots of Goldfinches (American and Lesser), robins and meadowlarks and Eastern Phoebes as well as a few of the ‘regulars’ (Cardinals, Tufted Titmouse, woodpeckers and chickadees). As I prepare my garden for spring, I also like to prepare for the next wave of migratory birds and feathered friends who will be nesting here soon. Here are a few tips about attracting, feeding and recording some of your favorite aviary species.
FEEDERS: Even birds like their seed to be clean and dry. Wash your plastic feeder with soap and warm water, rinse it with a weak solution of Clorox and water – air dry and fill with fresh seed. This kills any fungus, and reduces the spread of avian diseases.
PURPLE MARTINS: Here they come, ready or not! If you have PM houses or gourds, now is a great time to clean them by wiping out any old nesting material or residue with a paper towel and diluted (with water) Clorox. Make repairs if needed.
The number one reason for failure to attract Purple Martins is incorrect placement of the birdhouse. Choose a spot 30’-150’ from human activity (they feel safer from predators when they are close to our homes). Make sure to keep the house away from tall trees; at least 40’-60’ from outbuildings and trees…further if the trees are tall! Most store-bought PM poles are 15’ – however, if you are making your own, the best height is between 12’-20’; but no lower than 10’.
Purple Martins like water close by. A pier or boat dock is an ideal place to put your house. They love to be able to swoop into their nest, so keep it in an open space, but not too far from places where people gather. Remember LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
BLUEBIRDS: You will probably see your neighborhood bluebirds in their houses during the colder days. They aren’t nesting yet, but they ARE trying to keep warm! You may clean out their nest boxes anytime in the next few weeks. Remove nest materials and brush out any residual dirt and residue. Then take a bar of Ivory soap and thoroughly rub it inside (especially the top). This discourages wasps from attaching their own nests there.
If you want to participate in Cornell’s Nest Watch program by collecting data from your nest boxes, go to http://watch.birds.cornell.edu/nest/home/index. You can record your data for one, two……any number of bluebird boxes! You may also collect data on other species; a complete list of birds on the watch list is on the website.
If you need help setting up your own ‘nestwatch’ – call or email me. I will be happy to help you.
Susan Solari
979-249-4118
suesolari@cvctx.com
January 2011
