http://74.54.119.50/index.php en mollye@comcast.net Copyright 2008 2008-08-28T17:58:00-08:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/mr_birds_pecanfeast_and_wildbird_feast_sure_are/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/mr_birds_pecanfeast_and_wildbird_feast_sure_are/#When:16:58:00Z My backyard birds really love Mr. Bird’s nut and seed logs! I have offered both varieties, alternating between PecanFeast and WildBird Feast, and getting lots of action on both! I’ve seen nuthatches, chickadees, Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, Song Sparrows, House Finches, and even a Black-headed Grosbeak feasting on them. by Scott Lukens Both Mr. Bird’s PecanFeast and Mr. Bird’s WildBird Feast logs contain plenty of pecans!  PecanFeast also has peanuts, while the WildBird Feast mixes pecans with black oil sunflower, sunflower hearts, and a little millet.  I use the EZ Feeder, a simple wire feeder designed for the logs.  I already have plenty for the neighborhood squirrels to eat, so I try to preserve this treat for birds only.  My EZ Feeder hangs from on a Double Shepherd’s Hook complete with a squirrel baffle. Shown in this photo is the WildBird Feast, the third log that I’ve offered in my yard.  The second one, a PecanFeast, lasted about 3 weeks.  Of course, the first time I hung out a nut and seed log , it lasted even longer as I waited for birds to find it and get used to it. PecanFeast and WildBird Feast both come in two sizes. While you can get a 32 oz. or 72 oz. sized PecanFeast. WildBird Feast sizes vary slightly (28 and 72 oz.) All contain nuts and seeds with no fillers; mine didn’t melt in our hottest summer weather. While I was trying to snap this picture, chickadees, nuthatches and even a Downy Woodpecker fussed at me from nearby branches, insisting that I get out of the way of their dinner! Bird Feeding 2008-08-28T16:58:00-08:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/attract_more_birds_add_a_dripper_to_your_birdbath/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/attract_more_birds_add_a_dripper_to_your_birdbath/#When:14:49:00Z One of the best investments in my garden is my Dripper-Mister from Backyard Bird Shop. I purchased it over 6 years ago and it has brought me hours of joy watching all the birds attracted to it. By Michele Dupraw (Photos taken with Wingscapes Bird Cam) Drippers are a means of supplying fresh water to a birdbath. It attaches at the faucet and has a small hose that runs to the dripper apparatus and a valve to regulate the drip. Most drippers come with a “Y” attachment, so you are able to split your faucet. This allows you to run your garden hose and have a dripper. The small tubing can easily be hidden under mulch or buried in the lawn. I run my dripper about 8 months out of the year and have not found it to impact my water bill. The first week that I set up my dripper I attracted Cedar Waxwings to the bird bath. Prior to installing the dripper, I had never seen them in my garden. Birdbaths and drippers are a nice way to bring in non-seed eating birds. All birds need water, but not all birds eat seed. By adding moving water you can bring in dozens of new species that you may never see on a bird feeder.  Birds are attracted to the water movement that the dripper creates. Birds associate moving water with fresh water. This spring, I set up my Wingscapes Bird Cam, a motion activated digital camera, and counted 13 species of birds at my birdbath with the dripper in one day. Some of my favorites were the Yellow-rumped Warbers and Western Tanagers. The best way to attract both of these birds to your garden is with water. The Whispering Pines Dripper I am using, also has an attachment to create a mist. Although, I don’t use it as often, it is especially attractive to the smaller birds like Bushtits and hummingbirds. Besides attracting the birds, the dripper keeps my bath full and fresh on hot summer days. Before adding the dripper I often found my bath to be a dirty puddle of water or dry by the end of a hot day. Now, my bath says full and much cleaner with the fresh water. Drippers come in a few different styles and there is one to accommodate most any birdbath. Add a dripper to your birdbath and watch the birds flock to it! Birdbaths & Water 2008-08-28T14:49:00-08:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/meet_the_swallow_family/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/meet_the_swallow_family/#When:21:50:00Z Whether you are looking out over a river, a wetland, a residential lawn, or a parking lot, it is not hard to see swallows on any summer day. These graceful fliers spend much of their time on the wing, speeding through the air as they catch flying insects. They even drink and bathe while flying. ... by John Rakestraw To get a good look at a swallow sitting still, check the utility wires. In late summer and autumn, as swallows prepare to return to their wintering grounds in South America, they often congregate in flocks of 100 or more, all lined up on the power lines. Six species of swallows are seen regularly in the Portland area. Three of these are cavity nesters and will frequently use nest boxes. Two others construct nests of mud, while one nests in burrows. Tree Swallow: Male Tree Swallows are a dark metallic blue on the upperparts and pristine white underneath. Females often show a more subdued brownish gray on the upperparts. Tree Swallows are most often found near water and open fields, where they nest in tree cavities or nest boxes. Violet-green Swallow: Slightly smaller than Tree Swallows, Violet-green Swallows show a green back and purple rump. The white underparts extend up onto the face and onto the sides of the rump, making it look like the bird is wearing white saddlebags in flight. Violet-greens also nest in cavities and nest boxes, and are more likely to nest in suburban yards. Barn Swallow: Barn Swallows are instantly recognizable by their long slender wings and long forked tails. They show a dark metallic blue on the upperparts and orange underparts. Barn Swallow nests are an open cup made of mud and are usually attached to barn rafters or under the eaves of buildings. Cliff Swallow: Cliff Swallows are most easily identified on the wing. They have short squared tails, orange faces, and bluish backs. The most obvious field mark is their buffy rump, visible at great distances. The mud nests of Cliff Swallows are enclosed and jug shaped, unlike the open cups of Barn Swallows. Cliff Swallow nests are found in colonies on cliffs, under bridges, and in culverts. Northern Rough-winged Swallow: The plainest of our swallows is the Northern Rough-winged. They are dull brown above, while the color of their underparts is dingy brown on the face fading to white on the belly. Northern Rough-winged Swallows are more often seen along rivers, where they nest in tunnels dug into high banks. Purple Martin: The largest, and least common, swallow in our area is the Purple Martin. Males are uniformly bluish-black, while females show dingy gray underparts. The size and coloring of these birds suggests European Starlings, but Purple Martins stand out by their longer wings and tails and by their strong flight while feeding. Martins nest in colonies, either in tree cavities or in nest boxes. Swallows define spring and summer, from the first few Tree Swallows arriving in April to the large flocks of Barn and Cliff Swallows retreating to the south with the first cold fronts of autumn. Their bold coloring, aerobatic skills, and appetite for flying insects make the swallows a welcomed part of summer. Meet the Birds 2008-08-18T21:50:00-08:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/nuthatches_acrobats_in_your_backyard/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/nuthatches_acrobats_in_your_backyard/#When:04:02:00Z Nuthatches are the only birds in our area who are equally adept at going either direction on a tree trunk, upward or downward. Ornithologists believe that nuthatches find insect food by going down a tree trunk that would be missed by birds going up the tree trunk, so the nutty behavior is really an evolutionary advantage. by Molly Evans The White-breasted Nuthatch is a favorite of mine.  I often see a pair in my yard, zig-zagging their way down the trunk of a tree—they head up, and then down, then up again. Nuthatches are the only birds in our area who are equally adept at going either direction on a tree trunk, upward or downward.  Ornithologists believe that nuthatches find insect food by going down a tree trunk that would be missed by birds going up the tree trunk, so the nutty behavior is really an evolutionary advantage. These birds are measure five inches in length, with dark, almost black heads, slate gray backs and white underparts.  Their tails are short and stubby – no good for propping on a tree like a woodpecker, but good for staying out of its way when a nuthatch goes down a tree trunk headfirst.  Short legs, long toes, and very long claws all help a nuthatch cling upside down on a trunk or limb. In our yard, the nuthatches divide their time between surveying the insect populations of tree bark, and examining the black oil sunflower seeds at our feeder.  Each bird seems to take great care in finding the perfect seed, the flies to a tree limb, places the seed in a crevice, and hacks the shell away.  That’s where the birds get their name – nuthatch is a corruption of the old English “nut hack,” which they certainly are! The nuthatch pair discusses all this work with a gentle “yank-yank” back and forth between them, sometimes suggesting to each other that they visit the nearby suet feeder. I also like the fact that White-breasted Nuthatches stay mated throughout the year, spending the cold months together snuggled up side by side.  Not only that, the pair maintains a territory of up to 25 acres – they may be small, but they’re feisty! Meet the Birds 2008-06-13T04:02:00-08:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/reduce_lawn_chemical_use_nematode_your_yard1/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/reduce_lawn_chemical_use_nematode_your_yard1/#When:23:34:00Z Backyard Bird Shop carries Nematodes, and other natural pest control options, to offer responsible alternatives for lawn and garden care. As our customers discontinue use of toxic chemicals in their yards, natural predators such as ladybugs and green lacewings make a comeback. Butterflies, bees and birds become more plentiful. Soon a backyard can be transformed into a natural garden.If your lawn has unsightly brown patches, or if there are half circles in your rhododendron leaves, lawn pests may be feeding on roots.  Don’t douse your yard with chemicals!  Use beneficial nematodes, Mother Nature’s secret weapon! Harmless to humans, animals, plants, and earthworms, beneficial nematodes are voracious predators of over 250 soil dwelling pests, including root weevil, European crane fly, grubs, ants, fleas, and cut worms.  The drizzles of autumn make it the best time to put Beneficial Nematodes to work in a Portland-area lawn.  A “sponge” of one million nematodes covers 3,000 square feet of lawn and can be applied through a hose end sprayer, pump sprayer or with a watering can. Local garden centers and big chemical companies still spend millions of dollars each year marketing the quick, easy fix of picking up a can of insecticide, holding our breaths and spraying.  But more and more people who care about their lawns and garden also understand the personal and environmental risks associated with the use of toxic chemical insecticides.  These chemical killers tend to be indiscriminate, killing off beneficial insects that would naturally help to control pests.  And, many of the pests homeowners wish to control are developing a tolerance to the chemicals sold to eliminate them. Prior to the introduction of toxic insecticides in the 1940’s, the use of Beneficial Insects for pest control was standard practice. Both the California citrus crop and the Hawaiian sugar field were saved with the use of Beneficial Insects.  Every pest has a natural enemy— successful pest control is as simple as releasing the natural enemy when pest levels are low and letting nature take it’s course. Backyard Bird Shop carries Nematodes, and other natural pest control options, to offer responsible alternatives for lawn and garden care.  As our customers discontinue use of toxic chemicals in their yards, natural predators such as ladybugs and green lacewings make a comeback.  Butterflies, bees and birds become more plentiful.  Soon a backyard can be transformed into a natural garden. Helping wild birds and other backyard wildlife benefits all living creatures.  In our urban area, wild bird feeding is the principal connection many people have with wildlife.  Watching birds foraging around a backyard feeder in the morning can relieve stress and can start the day on a positive note.  Bringing birds into the backyard adds a welcome flash of color, dash of motion and splash of sound to “decorate” a backyard garden! Natural Gardening & Pest Control 2008-06-12T23:34:00-08:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/meet_scott_lukens/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/meet_scott_lukens/#When:00:29:00Z Meet Scott Lukens, Founder of Backyard Bird ShopFeeding and enjoying wild birds is a hobby that Scott Lukens has practiced since childhood.  Even during his corporate career as a Human Resources Manager, he and his wife, Molly Evans, kept their feeders full and their binoculars by the window! In 1991 Scott left his corporate career in favor of small business.  Having taken a year off to be with his infant daughter, the idea of returning to the life of corporate travel and routine relocations was unappealing.  By March Scott had opened the first Backyard Bird Shop in an old building in downtown Lake Oswego.  When customers came, and returned, Scott realized that his idea could work! Since 1991, Backyard Bird Shop, Inc. has become a multi- million dollar business with around 35 staff members, all who live and work in the Portland/Vancouver metro area.  Scott’s little retail store has grown to 7 local Backyard Bird Shops, all located in the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. Scott’s hobbies include exotic birdwatching (he’s traveled to Antarctica, Chile, Equador, Cost Rica, Africa, and more) and natural gardening.  One of his greatest pleasures is the fact that his backyard was featured in Vancouver’s Naturally Beautiful Backyards tour in 2007, and will be featured again in 2008! Meet our Website Contributors 2008-05-22T00:29:00-08:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/meet_john_rakestraw/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/meet_john_rakestraw/#When:23:59:00Z John Rakestraw has worked as a music teacher, farm laborer, and hardware salesman, to pay for his birding habit. He was a naturalist in Kansas and Ohio before finally settling in Oregon. In addition to working at Backyard Bird Shop Sundays through Tuesdays, Rakestraw is a writer and bird guide (hire him! he's great! ). John is the author of Birding Oregon, a valuable resource for Oregon birders!  He also writes articles for birding and nature publications, teaches classes, leads field trips, and works as a guide. An advocate of birding close to home, his current birding goal is to tally 400 species in Oregon. He lives in a co-housing community near Portland with his wife, Marsha, and their schizophrenic cat.  Visit John’s blog at http://johnrakestraw.net or email him at jmrakestraw@gmail.com Meet our Website Contributors 2008-05-21T23:59:00-08:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/american_goldfinches/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/american_goldfinches/#When:23:42:00Z Chances are good that the bright flash of yellow you see in your back yard is a male American Goldfinch. This gregarious 5" bird can be seen all across America, along roadsides, in open woods and fields, farm and suburban yards. Goldfinches by Judith Hutchinson The golden color is most prominent in the males in the spring and summer during breeding season while the females are a dull olive-green with yellowish under parts. In winter the male finch looks much like the the summer female with just a touch of yellow on the throat.  Both genders have black wings with white bars and short forked black tails with a white rump and white coverts..  The male sports a black forehead. Their short conical bills are typical of seed-eating birds. Nesting season for Goldfinches is later than most other songbirds, coinciding with the availability of thistle weed seed.  A nest is woven of grasses and the fiber from Cattails, or thistle down and caterpillar webbing.  Four to six pale blue eggs will hatch in 12-14 days.  The male feeds the female during incubation and helps feed the young a diet of small seeds and insects.  Thistle seed is a major food but they also like the seeds of dandelions, coneflower, coreopsis, marigold, lettuce and cosmos. To attract these popular birds into your landscape, offer black oil sunflower, hulled sunflower pieces and nyjer seed.  Goldfinches will feed from any type of feeder and since they love to bathe, a water feature or bird bath is an additional way to attract them. Meet the Birds 2008-05-21T23:42:00-08:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/homemade_nectar_recipe/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/homemade_nectar_recipe/#When:04:06:00Z You can make your own hummingbird nectar, with table sugar and boiling water.Just Sugar and Water: Boil 1 cup of water for 1 - 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup white table sugar.  Do not use food color or honey.  Stir to dissolve thoroughly.  Cool completely before filling your hummingbird feeder. Refresh Every 4 – 5 Days: Fill your feeder with only as much nectar as will be consumed in 4 or 5 days.  Store the remaining nectar in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.  Spoiled or moldy nectar can be deadly. Keep it Clean! Every time you refill your feeder (no longer than 5 days), rinse the feeder with hot tap water and brush away any mold or mildew.  Hummingbirds 2008-03-28T04:06:00-08:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/the_chickadee_clan/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/the_chickadee_clan/#When:03:49:00Z Often the first visitor to a new wild bird feeder (provided it's filled with the #1 favorite seed -- black oil sunflower seed), will be the endearing chickadee! By John Rakestraw Among the most common and most active visitors to backyard bird feeders are the chickadees. These small birds usually travel in groups, keeping track of each other by their constant calls. They are curious and bold, sometimes taking sunflower seeds directly from your hand. Chickadees usually take one seed at a time from a feeder and then fly to a secluded perch to eat. Holding the seed with their feet, they hammer the seed with their bills to crack the shell. Chickadees nest in cavities, which they excavate in rotting wood. They will also readily accept nest boxes. Common in neighborhoods and mixed woods, the Black-capped Chickadee is easily recognized by its black cap and bib, sandwiching bright white cheeks. Black-caps are predominantly gray on the upperparts, white on the belly, with a buffy tinge on the sides. These birds give a variety of chips and whistles, but their most familiar call is the one that gives them their name, “chickadee dee dee.” Chestnut-backed Chickadees get their name from the rusty coloring on their backs and sides. They share the bold head pattern and gray wings of the Black-capped. Most often found in stands of large conifers, Chestnut-backs are smaller than other chickadees and have higher, buzzier calls. Usually found at higher elevations, the Mountain Chickadee occasionally wanders into the valleys during some winters. This bird is very similar to the Black-capped, but plainer gray, lacking the buffy color on the sides. While not always obvious, the most distinctive feature of the Mountain Chickadee is the white eyebrow (supercillium). About the size of a hummingbird, but with a long tail, the Bushtit is plain brownish gray with a slight yellowish tinge on the head. Adult females have distinctive whitish eyes, which set them apart from the dark eyed juveniles and adult males. Active and vocal, like the chickadees, Bushtits often travel in flocks (sometimes in swarms) and will huddle together in a large mass to conserve heat on cold nights. Their tiny bills are built for eating insects, not seeds, so Bushtits seldom visit seed feeders (They will occasionally eat rain-softened sunflower chips.). But these birds eagerly gather to dine on peanut butter or suet. In the spring, the large flocks break up for the nesting season and Bushtit pairs build elaborate woven bag nests that hang from branches. After the young mature, the family travels together as a group before joining a larger flock later in the fall. 2008-03-28T03:49:00-08:00