I’ll See You in Health

Anyone who watches the Colbert Report knows this line and the antics of its host.  Yet, let’s be serious.  Part of our health is living in a healthy environment, especially our own backyard.  What is a healthy backyard?

Any yard attractive to birds, bats, bees and butterflies would be considered healthy.  To accomplish that would mean reducing the use of pesticides, conserving water and protecting water quality.  It would require planting native plants, removing invasives and limiting lawns.

Down to specifics: how does one accomplish the above?  This author doubts that many have the budget to accomplish wholesale transformation, and that’s fine.  Even if it takes a few years to effect, one can enjoy the different stages.  This author would suggest targeting one family of birds in approaching this task—hummingbirds. We are fascinated but these tiny dynamos anyway.  If you work to attract these, you will also facilitate the attraction of bees and butterflies.  You see, the plants that attract hummers attract bees and butterflies!  One of my favorite wildlife specialists often states, “If you want hummingbirds, think lasagna”.  Lasagna is a dish of many layers and flavors. Your hummingbird garden would be layers of different heights, colors, and flowers blooming at various times of the year.  Plant trumpet shape flowers but also flowers that have flat disked shaped flowers.  Together these flowers provide nectar and attract insects hummers find edible.  It is important to provide nectar and protein sources.  Hummers need a protein source especially during the raising of a brood.

Hummers need cover and shelter.  To that end, think about planting in the space available trees, shrubs and vines to which the birds can retreat.  Cross Vine and Jasmine followed by Mexican Plum, Mountain Laurel, and Redbud in the understory and Oaks, Pines and Pecans in the canopy again achieves the lasagna theme.

 

Feeders can add to sources of food for wildlife and will provide grand time for viewing the antics of the birds.  Find brands that offer lifetime warranties and clean them regularly.  After all, think about your desire to dine at a clean plate.  So do the birds.  The experience will be wonderful.

Sources of clean water are a must.  Birdbaths should be shallow and with sides of gentle slope.  Keep the water fresh and moving, if possible.  Clean your birdbath with regularity and change the water to keep it free of unwanted dirt and algae.  If one adds a wiggler or a drip system, this is most attractive to a variety of birds.  Misters are great, especially in hot summer months.   Birds will play in the mist and your plans benefit as well.  If you have a pond, move water by way of a pump and waterfall.

In healthy yard, you have provided the means by which birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife live and flourish.  You have contributed to lessening population decline of many species.  You’ve reconnected to nature.  Of course, you must realize, your health, too, is the beneficiary of a healthy back yard.

A Diamond Adventure

 

Vortex 8x42 Diamondback

Setting off for the Rio Grande Valley or for the islands and bays of the Great Lakes in search of some of the best nature observation and birding the country has to offer?  Or staying by the fire at home watching the feeders and watering devices in your own backyard?  Certainly will get some grand and clear observations with the best performing Diamondbacks.  Learn More.

 

Also available in 10x.

 

Visit us at www.kingbirdfeeders.com for quality binoculars, spotting scopes, bird feeders, bird houses, field guides, and gear. roy@kingbirdfeeders.com

Binoculars for the Backyard Birder

Many people become interested in birding simply by becoming aware of the birds that frequent their own back yards.  Somewhere in our collective memories is a picture of the idyllic.  Placing a feeder outside a back window seems right, and when birds find its fare then the fun begins and the idyllic becomes reality.  So too arises the need to learn more about these creatures of feathers and song.
This sentiment was brought once again to my attention this past weekend as a group of our local Audubon manned a booth at our community expo.  Several people asked for advice on procuring binoculars they or a family member could use to simply see the birds in their yards better and, perhaps, identify them.

My first bit of advice is to walk away from the cheap and small objective lens models.  You are enjoying the birds coming to your yard.  You want to add to the enjoyment.  You are not looking to become frustrated.  You must consider any binocular as an important tool whose purpose is to add to your enjoyment and experience.  Examine your budget and commit to investing enough to ensure this goal.

Now to the numbers…There are two numbers that you will encounter such as 8x30.  The first refers to magnification and the second to the size of the objective lens.  Most birders use binoculars with a 7 or 8 power of magnification. Objective lens size of at least 30 mm seems well suited for most of us.  In general, an 8x32 or 8x42 binocular will serve you well.  It may well be to your advantage to consider the larger of these objective lenses owing to the greater light gathering ability of the larger lens.

Two other important considerations need mentioning.  One is whether you wear eyeglasses or not.  Be sure to inquire whether the binocular you’ve chosen can be used with or without glasses.  Second, beginners, especially, need a large field of view (FOV).  This will assist you in finding the bird.  Try to find a binocular with at least 350 feet FOV.

Vortex Crossfire

 

Here are some recommended models that fit the above criteria.  First, the 8x32 Vortex Crossfire and its cousin, the 8x42 Vortex Crossfire, are roof prism models.  Then there is the 8.5x32 Vortex Raptor which is a porro prism model.  All are very good but not too pricey.  The raptor is even a very good choice for youth or adults with smaller faces.

Vortex Raptor

Find what is best for you and go see if that is really a Ladder-backed Woodpecker on your oak and not a Red-bellied.  Happy birding.

Drought’s Imperative

The drought drags on.  In Central Texas, we have broken a record and have now counted 70 days of triple digit weather.  The stock ponds do not exist, and the surrounding lakes are at 45 percent capacity.  The land is parched.  None of this is news to us who endure it.

The consequence to wildlife is severe.  There is little or no natural food available.  While migration of our avian friends has begun, speculation is that possibly many birds will simply pass this region by, opting for a chance at better fair along the coast.  Those of you who are feeding need to continue feeding; many should consider taking up feeding.  Those who are may be the difference in so many visitors’ journeys.  And you may well be rewarded by some fantastic (perhaps, unusual) sightings.

Keep your feeders full and clean.  Fill them daily.  A clean feeder deters the spread of disease among of avian friends.  They are under severe stress. Therefore, let us not add to their plight with the spread of disease.  For an easy cleaning feeder, please examine the one above.  It is the latest innovation from Droll Yankees—part of their “ring pull” series.  The central rod pulls out releasing the ports so the entire cylinder can be easily cleaned with a bottle brush.  Reassembly is just as easy.

Same should be said for your birdbaths.  Water is a key attractant to all wildlife in good times but is imperative now.  It is the only substitute for this drought. Clean water will be a life saver.

Birding Today

 Birding today

 will be from the couch and not from the canoe

With a cup of coffee in hand.

Enjoying Birding

What can one do that is relatively inexpensive, helps you get away from the worries of the day, gets you outdoors, enables you to get some exercise, can be done alone or in a group, and provides you with lasting memories and good conversation? That is one heck of a question! Or is it a multitude of questions?

Birding, that’s the answer.

Let’s face it. This is cheap entertainment. First, all you really need to get started is a bird feeder or two and some seed or nectar. This is it, if what you hope to do is watch the birds that come to your own backyard. Hours of watching intently or on the spur of the moment can be had for pennies a day.

Of course, once you have enjoyed and learned about the birds in your yard, you’ll probably start noticing birds everywhere. It is just like buying a new car. Once you have bought the car, you start noticing that model on every road you travel. Once, you’ve noticed the birds in your backyard, you’ll notice them on your morning walk through the neighborhood, at the park, driving down the highway, in the fields on the edge of town, down at the river where you fish—everywhere.

So the next step is to get a good pair of binoculars, a field guide and your local checklist. And there is no stopping you. Your friends will start to ask you, the burgeoning expert, just what was that bird they saw the other day.

What is a good pair of binoculars going to cost you? One can spend any amount on binoculars. Consider that one will probably be using these for a number of years. Consider that you want a pair of binoculars through which you can actually tell the colors on the wings, or belly or tail. Consider that you want a pair that enables the identification of the bird. Consider that old birders never die; their eyesight just “ain’t as good as it used to be”. Therefore, do not buy a cheap pair of binoculars! Invest enough in your binocular to keep you satisfied with your purchase for many years. Here, look at it this way: if you bought a Vortex Diamondback and you knew that you were going to use these over the next ten years (a lifetime warranty not withstanding), the cost would be barely more than a nickel a day. Similarly, if you bought a Vortex Viper it would be about 14 cents per day. See, I told you this was an inexpensive proposition.

Lastly, investigate the local Audubon Society in your area. Find out when and where they meet. Once you start attending their meetings, you’ll learn of places all around you where there are wonderful and exciting birds to see. Then you will have new friends and a community with whom to share all this. That is more than satisfactory, that’s great!

Birding is the answer, yep!

Morning Glory

One of the finest things in life is being outside on a cool summer morning. As I watered the flowers, I watch Red Bellies and Downies visit the peanut feeders and a Ruby Throat visit the hummingbird feeder. Listening and watching the Carolina Chickadees and House Finches feed at the sunflowers added to the beginning of a great day.

Photo by Bill Ravenscroft