There are many kind of warblers, but one of the most common warblers in Ohio during spring migration is the Magnolia Warbler. Look for them low in trees where they feed on insects. Males often feed higher up in trees than the females. These beautiful birds were named by chance when ornithologist Alexander Wilson spotted the bird in a magnolia tree.
Podcast: Play in new window
Water is one of the most important things birders can add to their backyard to attract birds. All bird species need water, and adding one or more water features to your yard will quickly attract feathered friends. Birds need water for two reasons: drinking and preening. Water helps keep a bird’s body cool both from the inside and outside. Water baths can also remove dust, loose feathers, parasites and other debris from a bird’s plumage. Offering water in your backyard will attract more birds than just food sources, since birds that would not normally visit feeders can be tempted by water features. Any water is an improvement on a dry backyard, but moving water will attract more birds because the motion catches their eye and they can hear any dripping, sprinkles or splashes. Adding a Water Wiggler dripper, or mister accessory to a standing birdbath adds motion easily. Birdbaths are the fastest, easiest way to add water to your backyard bird habitat. The Rock Pile offers different sizes and styles. Birdbaths come in three basic designs:
For birds to feel comfortable using a bird bath, it should not be more than two or three inches deep. Adding an overturned saucer or level rocks to the center of the bath can add a shallower section or island for birds to use.
Misters
Misters are a favorite way for hummingbirds to find water and they will often hover in a mister repeatedly on a hot day. Misters also provide moving water to attract other birds, and if they are properly positioned they will drip into a bird bath for even more motion. Misters may be attached to birdbaths or they can come as separate water features. For the best effect, position the mister in a partially shaded area that has several perches available.
Cleaning Water Features for Birds
Water features will attract the most birds when the water is clean and fresh. Standing water features such as bird baths and dishes should be cleaned often, while moving and flowing water will naturally stay fresher and can be cleaned less frequently.
Attracting birds with water is easy, and there are many simple ways to add fresh water to your backyard to entice birds for a drink or a bath.
Northern Flickers are large, brown woodpeckers with a gentle expression and handsome black-scalloped plumage. On walks, don’t be surprised if you scare one up from the ground. It’s not where you’d expect to find a woodpecker, but flickers eat mainly ants and beetles, digging for them with their unusual, slightly curved bill. When they fly you’ll see a flash of yellow in the wings and a bright white flash on the rump. Northern Flickers usually excavate nest holes in dead or diseased tree trunks or large branches. Unlike many woodpeckers, flickers often reuse cavities that they or another species excavated in a previous year. Nests are generally placed 6-15 feet off the ground, but on rare occasions can be over 100 feet high. Northern Flickers have been known to nest in old burrows of Belted Kingfishers or Bank Swallows. Northern Flickers eat mainly insects, especially ants and beetles that they gather from the ground. They also eat fruits and seeds, especially in winter. So if you’re lucky, you may see one visit your feeding station.
Click on the play button below to hear the Northern Flicker.
Podcast: Play in new window
Right now you can save on our Suet Special! Choose between three great flavors (Berry Treat, Nutty Treat & Seed Treat) and when you buy one suet cake at regular price, you get one FREE! That’s right! Buy One, Get One FREE! Mix and match flavors and save on your bird’s favorite treat! Limit 6 free suet cakes per visit.
*on selected varieties
As the winter approaches the birds need to be fed more than ever. But we are less likely to fill feeders when it is cold outside. We like to stay inside and keep warm. Don’t let the birds suffer… offer the birds a feed that will last longer at your feeding station. Lots of feed for the birds and less refilling feeders for you: its a win-win situation! Birdola Cakes are 2 pound Seed Blocks and are available in 3 flavors. And now save 15% with our coupon below!
Woodpecker Blend features Black Oil Sunflower Seeds, Mixed Tree Nuts, White Millet, Cracked Corn & Peanuts! ($7.99)
Trail Mix features Black Oil Sunflower Seeds, Peanuts, Peanut Hearts, Cracked Corn, Sunflower Hearts, Safflower Seeds, Red Millet, Mixed Nuts & Raisins! ($7.99)
Birdola Plus features Black Oil Sunflower Seeds, Peanut Hearts, Safflower Seeds, Peanuts, White Millet with added vitamins, minerals and electrolytes for strong healthy birds! ($5.99)
Birdola Feeder features fold down perches on both sides of the feeder allowing bird species that require perching to feed to enjoy this fantastic feeding option. The large open gird provides a more sanitary place for birds to feed. ($9.99)
This large bright blue and white bird features a crest on it’s head that moves up and down at will. Unlike many of our backyard birds there is little difference between the male and female and the juvenile is the same as the adult only duller. Some people love seeing this bird for it’s beauty but other don’t like it because it can scare off other backyard birds. The Blue Jay has been known to scream like a hawk to scatter birds at a feeder before approaching it. This bird is also one of the few birds to catch food and will occasionally eat eggs or young birds from the nest of other birds, but this is pretty rare. Jays are birds of forest edges. A favorite food is acorns so they are often found near oaks. They glean insects and take nuts and seeds in trees, shrubs, and on the ground and will also eat grains. One of their favorites to eat from a feeding station is peanuts! Try offering splits, or even straight peanut in the shell! These birds are known for their intelligence and complex social systems with tight family bonds. They store food in caches to eat later and their fondness for acorns is credited with helping spread oak trees after the last glacial period.
Podcast: Play in new window
`
Finches: Several male finches will pursue one female finch
Humans: A woman kisses many frogs before she finds her prince
Finches: Finches nest in June, July and August when plants have produced enough seed to incorporate in nests and feeding their young.
Humans: The most popular wedding months are June July & August
Finches: The female finch makes the nest from strands of weeds, vines, downy filaments and caterpillar webbing.
Humans: Most household decorations & room layouts are decided by women.
Finches: Once the nest is built, both male and female Gold finches leave the area. This may give the appearance that they have abandoned the nest. In a few days they both return and the female begins laying eggs. In some cases this can be 2 weeks after nest completion.
Humans: Newlyweds go away on an average of 7-9 days for their honeymoons. Some couples like to start a family right away
Finches: The female lays from 3 to 7 light blue eggs which are incubated for 12 to 14 days. The female may spend ninety five percent of her time incubating the eggs. The male will feed her during this time allowing her to stay on the nest.
Humans: Most women have one baby at a time incubating them for 9 months. She will have strange cravings resulting in asking her husband go out and get her food.
To read more about the American Goldfinch and hear its song CLICK HERE.
When we first started to carry the Erva Polling System, we knew you would like it. Now many of our customers are enjoying them in their own backyards. If it is time for you to add a new pole or replace an existing one, check out this one. What makes this system so great? It is easy to set up, and you can customize your pole with individual components that make the perfect set-up for your situation.
Start with a tubular steel pole. These black powder coat finished poles are available in two lengths: 6 foot & 5 foot. Secure these poles to a base. Both the twister and the “cat-tail” ground sockets securely sink these poles into the ground while the patio base allows for easy repositioning on your deck or patio. Want an even taller pole? Use a pole extension. Available in 14″ or 20″ lengths, these extenders are ideal for situations where the pole needs to be just a bit taller. Next choose your topper. Whether it’s a 2 hook, 3 hook, 4 hook or mounting flange, we have the topper right for you. The hook toppers feature a decorative finial cover in the center that can be removed to add multiple units.
Now that you have designed your own pole you can choose to keep it simple or add accessories for further function. We highly suggest using a baffle. The wrap around squirrel baffle’s inverted cone shape is effective in making your feeders critter resistant. Have even bigger problems? Use the 8″ cylindrical raccoon baffle! Other accessories include the quick connect coil hanger allowing for an extra hook, the fruit feeder designed to hold four pieces of fruit, or the universal feeder which features a glass dish that is guaranteed not to crack in a freeze and can hold fruit, seed, jelly or mealworms. However you choose to put your pole together or accessorize it, we’re sure that you will be pleased with the Erva Pole System. Stop in the store and see one for yourself.
| Log in © 2010 The Rock Pile ~ Maintenance by Jennifer Keener | contact us | Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha |
