1. Birds need to eat a nutrionally sound diet in order to live a long life. Improper feeding can lead to malnutrition and disease resulting in a shorter lifespan. Start off by feeding your bird right from the beginning.
2. Parrots and birds of the parrot family can eat a variety of different kinds of foods. Seeds should not be a parrot’s only food. This is a mistake many new bird owners make. Seeds contain mostly fat and not enough protein and very few vitamins.
3. Birds can eat most table foods but it is best to stick to healthy items including items containing whole grains, pretzels, and whole wheat pastas and bread. Foods high in fat should be avoided. Never feed them avocados as they are toxic to birds.
4. Good sources of nutrition for your bird include beans and legumes as well as various vegetables and fruits. Some birds resist new foods at first while others are open to trying many new things. Although it may take some time keep trying to introduce your bird to a variety of healthy foods.
5. Changes to a bird’s diet should be done slowly and progressively over time. Provide fresh foods twice per day for approximately an hour each time. Be careful not to leave fresh food in the bird’s cage too long as it will develop bacteria which can make your bird sick.
6. Your bird should be fed two times per day. This will result in your bird getting hungry which will make it more active. Also, a good appetite can make it more likely that your bird will try new foods. Feeding at set times twice per day will also allow you to be able to monitor how much your bird is eating. If your bird is not eating well this can tell you that it is not feeling well or has a health problem.
7. If your bird is a picky eater and you cannot get it to eat a varied diet you can try warming or cooking the vegetables. Take away seeds except at meal time until your bird starts eating healthy foods on a regular basis.
8. Just as water is necessary for people it is also necessary for healthy birds. Keep your bird’s water dish filled with fresh, clean water at all times. Bird bowls can become very dirty and should therefore be cleaned each day with hot soapy water. Once every other week you should clean your bird’s water dish with a solution containing bleach. Also make it a point to pick up some water soluble bird vitamins at the local pet store and add vitamins to your birds water daily.
Birds make wonderful pets for the whole family and they can live a long time if taken care of properly. Proper care of birds includes maintaining a healthy diet of seeds, vegetables and fruit.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
Robert Michael is a writer for Las Birds which is an excellent place to find birds links, resources and articles. For more information go to: www.lasbirds.com
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Bird Watching Journals - Preserve Your Bird Watching Experiences
Bird Watching is a great way to escape the rat race and be one with nature. Alas, your bird watching experiences can fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a bird watching journal for your sightings and trips.
Bird Watching Journals
Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent bird watching experience. What sticks out in your mind? Now think about the first time you ever went bird watching. Undoubtedly, you remember few things about the geography, people you went with, every bird sighted and so on. The experiences you’ve forgotten are lost to time. If you had kept a bird watching journal, this wouldn’t be the case.
There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout time. Of course, Anne Frank’s Diary is the best example. In her diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your bird watching experiences better be more lighthearted, keeping a journal will let you remember them as the years pass.
A good bird watching journal combines a number of characteristics. First, it should be compact so you don’t have to take up unnecessary space for other things. Second, it should have a case to protect it from rain, spills and so on. Third, the journal should contain blank areas to write your notes. Fourth, the journal should contain cue spaces to remind you to keep notes on specific things. Cues should include:
1. Who you went birding with,
2. Where you stayed and if you enjoyed it,
3. Who you met and contact information for them,
4. The geographic and weather conditions, and
5. The birds you sighted and added to your life list.
At the end of the trip, you should be able to get the following from your journal:
1. Contact information for other bird watchers and people you met,
2. Enough detail to provide you or a friend with a guide if you travel to the location a second time.
3. Memories to reflect upon years later, and
4. Something to pass on to your children and grandchildren.
To get the most out of your bird watching journal, you should write in it during and immediately after birding. Every sighting brings new experiences even if you’re just sitting in your backyard.
Bird watching is a great way to commune with nature. Make sure to preserve the experience.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of diary and writing journals. Bird watching journals are great bird watching gifts for bird watching tours and vacations. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com for more bird watching articles.
Bird Watching Journals
Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent bird watching experience. What sticks out in your mind? Now think about the first time you ever went bird watching. Undoubtedly, you remember few things about the geography, people you went with, every bird sighted and so on. The experiences you’ve forgotten are lost to time. If you had kept a bird watching journal, this wouldn’t be the case.
There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout time. Of course, Anne Frank’s Diary is the best example. In her diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your bird watching experiences better be more lighthearted, keeping a journal will let you remember them as the years pass.
A good bird watching journal combines a number of characteristics. First, it should be compact so you don’t have to take up unnecessary space for other things. Second, it should have a case to protect it from rain, spills and so on. Third, the journal should contain blank areas to write your notes. Fourth, the journal should contain cue spaces to remind you to keep notes on specific things. Cues should include:
1. Who you went birding with,
2. Where you stayed and if you enjoyed it,
3. Who you met and contact information for them,
4. The geographic and weather conditions, and
5. The birds you sighted and added to your life list.
At the end of the trip, you should be able to get the following from your journal:
1. Contact information for other bird watchers and people you met,
2. Enough detail to provide you or a friend with a guide if you travel to the location a second time.
3. Memories to reflect upon years later, and
4. Something to pass on to your children and grandchildren.
To get the most out of your bird watching journal, you should write in it during and immediately after birding. Every sighting brings new experiences even if you’re just sitting in your backyard.
Bird watching is a great way to commune with nature. Make sure to preserve the experience.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of diary and writing journals. Bird watching journals are great bird watching gifts for bird watching tours and vacations. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com for more bird watching articles.
Bird Watching Binoculars – Critical Bird Watching Equipment
Avid bird watching enthusiasts often look like pack mules hiking to a gold rush in the west. Bird watching binoculars are one of the critical pieces of equipment they carry.
Binoculars
There are a lot of issues when it comes to choosing binoculars for bird watching. Optics and personal preference seem to be the foremost, but here is a list of issues you should consider.
Bashability
Bashability isn’t really a word in the English language, but it certainly applies to bird watching. The bashability of binoculars refers to how tough they are. For instance, if you drop them on the driveway while loading the car, will they hold up? What if you drop them off a small cliff? I, err…"a friend" once did this on the cliffs above Torrey Pines beach in San Diego. More than a few people have been surprised to learn that binoculars go out of whack when bashed. Now, I realize you would never drop them or subject them to anything but the finest treatment, but just check them for me.
Costs
I like wine. I drink wine. Unless I am standing at the cash register, I can’t really tell the difference between a $10 bottle of wine and one selling for $100. Bird watching binoculars seem to run along the same lines.
You can buy bird watching binoculars for as much as $1,000. Heck, Victoria’s Secret or Neiman Marcus probably have diamond encrusted ones for $100,000. Do you need to spend this money? No. My personal experience has revealed binoculars in the $200 to $400 range perform well and I’ve never missed a sighting because of their quality.
Obviously, you can spend whatever you wish, but keep in mind you don’t have to go overboard. Plus, binoculars without diamonds tend to still be on the beach once you make it down from the cliff.
Feel
This may sound obvious, but you need to buy binoculars that are comfortable. Ideally, you are going to lug these babies around for 10 or 20 years. Make sure they “fit” your face and spacing of your eyes. Also, make sure they don’t weigh too much. After a few hours of birding, this can become an issue.
If you’re going to be a birder, you’re going to need binoculars. Like wine, you can go overboard on them, but don’t need to.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of diary and writing journals for bird watching. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com for more articles on bird watching and the great outdoors.
Binoculars
There are a lot of issues when it comes to choosing binoculars for bird watching. Optics and personal preference seem to be the foremost, but here is a list of issues you should consider.
Bashability
Bashability isn’t really a word in the English language, but it certainly applies to bird watching. The bashability of binoculars refers to how tough they are. For instance, if you drop them on the driveway while loading the car, will they hold up? What if you drop them off a small cliff? I, err…"a friend" once did this on the cliffs above Torrey Pines beach in San Diego. More than a few people have been surprised to learn that binoculars go out of whack when bashed. Now, I realize you would never drop them or subject them to anything but the finest treatment, but just check them for me.
Costs
I like wine. I drink wine. Unless I am standing at the cash register, I can’t really tell the difference between a $10 bottle of wine and one selling for $100. Bird watching binoculars seem to run along the same lines.
You can buy bird watching binoculars for as much as $1,000. Heck, Victoria’s Secret or Neiman Marcus probably have diamond encrusted ones for $100,000. Do you need to spend this money? No. My personal experience has revealed binoculars in the $200 to $400 range perform well and I’ve never missed a sighting because of their quality.
Obviously, you can spend whatever you wish, but keep in mind you don’t have to go overboard. Plus, binoculars without diamonds tend to still be on the beach once you make it down from the cliff.
Feel
This may sound obvious, but you need to buy binoculars that are comfortable. Ideally, you are going to lug these babies around for 10 or 20 years. Make sure they “fit” your face and spacing of your eyes. Also, make sure they don’t weigh too much. After a few hours of birding, this can become an issue.
If you’re going to be a birder, you’re going to need binoculars. Like wine, you can go overboard on them, but don’t need to.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of diary and writing journals for bird watching. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com for more articles on bird watching and the great outdoors.
Bird watching - A brief synopsis
Bird watching is a hobby with a difference. Some anthropologists have suggested that it is a reflection of the primeval human bonding with nature. Some have even found a trace of the innate, male hunting instinct associated with this sport cum research activity. Whatever be the roots, one thing is certain that bird watching is a unique way to relax and feel at home with one's natural surrounding, at the same time.
Bird watching is a self-explained term. However, the more scientific version of the word is ornithology (a study and observation of birds). The American version of the same is 'birding'. Birding is the same as that of ornithology, the only difference being it is more of an 'amateurish' activity. Nevertheless, it would be wrong to assume that the 'amateur' tag lessens the enthusiasm or the efficacy of the activity, in any extent.
One day birding competition called the 'Big-Day' is a common phenomenon in the North America. The one-day, World-series of Birding, held in New Jersey in May and the five-day Great Texas Birding Classic held in April are the two, most famous birding competitions of North America.
A slightly different take on the general activity of bird watching is known as 'twitching'. 'Twitching' is the pursuit of previously spotted rare birds. It is more popular in countries like England, Ireland and the Netherlands, possibly due to their geographical extent which can be easily traversed.
Bird watching can also be a way to bring fun and learning at the basic level. It is a great family activity which can be de-stressing as well as a wonderful way to bond with the nature, as well as with each other.
It has been seen as an alarming fact that kids everywhere in the world are slowly getting detached from their immediate natural surrounding. For e.g., American kids may be aware of the flora and fauna of Africa, as it is a part of their school curriculum, and yet remain blissfully unaware about the birds in their own backyards.
A bird watching activity with the family is fast becoming a popular way to unwind. The edge of the activity is further strengthened by the educational aspect of the act.
Simple field glasses and an introductory book of the birds are all that is required for this fascinating activity. And the best part is that it can begin at one's backyard.
The Eagle Optics Energy Binoculars are good for a start-up. One can graduate to more expensive versions of the equipment as one's initial interest blossom into something more concrete.
Bird watching is a self-explained term. However, the more scientific version of the word is ornithology (a study and observation of birds). The American version of the same is 'birding'. Birding is the same as that of ornithology, the only difference being it is more of an 'amateurish' activity. Nevertheless, it would be wrong to assume that the 'amateur' tag lessens the enthusiasm or the efficacy of the activity, in any extent.
One day birding competition called the 'Big-Day' is a common phenomenon in the North America. The one-day, World-series of Birding, held in New Jersey in May and the five-day Great Texas Birding Classic held in April are the two, most famous birding competitions of North America.
A slightly different take on the general activity of bird watching is known as 'twitching'. 'Twitching' is the pursuit of previously spotted rare birds. It is more popular in countries like England, Ireland and the Netherlands, possibly due to their geographical extent which can be easily traversed.
Bird watching can also be a way to bring fun and learning at the basic level. It is a great family activity which can be de-stressing as well as a wonderful way to bond with the nature, as well as with each other.
It has been seen as an alarming fact that kids everywhere in the world are slowly getting detached from their immediate natural surrounding. For e.g., American kids may be aware of the flora and fauna of Africa, as it is a part of their school curriculum, and yet remain blissfully unaware about the birds in their own backyards.
A bird watching activity with the family is fast becoming a popular way to unwind. The edge of the activity is further strengthened by the educational aspect of the act.
Simple field glasses and an introductory book of the birds are all that is required for this fascinating activity. And the best part is that it can begin at one's backyard.
The Eagle Optics Energy Binoculars are good for a start-up. One can graduate to more expensive versions of the equipment as one's initial interest blossom into something more concrete.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
Jason Uvios writes about on Bird watching - A brief synopsis to visit :- bird watching, bird watching tours
Off to See the Birds
Three are many different ways that you can go about building your bird house. If you want your kids to have some input, it is important for the design to remain simple.
Just like recognizing certain characteristics and habits of people you can do the same with birds, which ultimately makes identifying them much easier. These characteristics are shape, size, color, flight pattern and where they're seen, to name just a few. You're now armed with the education you really should have to make an educated buying decision!
Bird droppings can become very erosive, and the longer they sit on your cage, the more damage can occur. Even the best brand name cages will only last 3-4 years if not appropriately taken care of. Know What Species to Expect. There are approximately 900 species of birds in the United States and recognizing each of them is nearly impossible. So when you visit an area, do a little research first.
Off to See the Birds
Going on a birdwatching holiday? You are not alone. Bird enthusiasts number more than 50 million in America alone and a huge percentage of this crowd actively seek out birds in their territories to go on birdwatching trips. There are hundreds of companies offering birdwatching holidays, some even go on over 25 birding tours per year. International birdwatching tour companies even take bird lovers to Mexico and Alaska and as far away as India, Africa, Brazil and Peru.
So what happens on birdwatching holidays? People pay good money to go on birding trips.
Choosing a birdwatching holiday.
There are birdwatching companies who offer nothing else other than birding and there are also organizations that run tours that include lectures, such as those at universities, clubs and museums. Whichever you choose will depend on what type of holiday you prefer.
Ask a friend or family who has been to a birdwatching tour. If there is no one else, pick a known company to tour with. If you’re a newbie, it’s best to stick with a tried and tested group. Call them up or look up their sites on the internet to check their services.
Tour price.
Most bird watchers are not experts on our fine feathered friends from the start. Come find out more! Try this before you go; lower your binoculars to your side and very quickly raise them to find and follow a jet airliner across the sky. After only a few attempts, you’ll get good at quickly acquiring your target. Quite often, birds are visible for only a few seconds, practice to become proficient. If you are buying an actual antique, prepare to pay a hefty price. Be on the lookout, though, at garage sales and flea markets. Sometimes you can find an undiscovered treasure for mere pennies. Most families immediately think that they can choose between getting a cat or a dog simply because those are the most popular pets to have. Before you run out and purchase the perfect kitten or puppy, consider choosing a bird to be your family pet instead.
To fill up your hummingbird feeder, remove the cap holding the prescription vial on and fill it up with nectar and replace the cap. Closed tightly, turn the prescription vial upside down as quickly as you can.
Let me explain; birds are a lot like us, they want space, they want sunlight, they want to look around. I recommend getting a cage with wheels so you can move your bird from place to place and give them a change of scenery.
Depending on the location, tour prices can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars; and the same length and location can be offered at a lower price by another company. Some things that affect tour prices are group size and services. Some of the best group tours are those with small sized groups because they are easier to organize, more quiet and they can interact more with the leader. They are also way more expensive so companies compromise with 6-10 or 8 - 16 participants. The larger group normally has two leaders.
Services can include airfares, transfers, food and lodging. The price will depend on what is included in the tour.
Location
Make sure that you are well informed of the physical demands of the tours because some of them may be strenuous. Your outfit should conform to the demands of the surrounding, especially in summer, when the heat is intense. Bring hats, proper clothing, sunscreen and insect repellants.
Bring your tools. No birdwatching holiday is complete without binoculars or a telescope. Bring one with the proper magnification to let you enjoy the sights. Bring a camera, notebook and pen and maybe even a field guide to help you identify the birds. Other than these, bring your sense of wonder and enjoy the sights.
How do bird watchers strive to entice birds to their yards? Find out at http://www.bird-watch.info This is a tricky dilemma when shopping for a bird cage, but here is the general rule of thumb; the bigger the better, as long as the bar spacing isn't too wide. So what is too wide of a bar spacing?
Do not buy a generic bird cage, it will most likely come without a manual, without a tech support phone number, and without a decent warranty.
Department stores and discount stores sometimes offer sales on bird cages. Check the advertising section of your local newspaper. We may have the best intentions to let our bird spend most of his time out of the cage. But there will still be times when he needs to be in his cage.
Just like people, birds get hot and thirsty. Especially during the blistering summer months, your favorite flying friends may be roasting in their feathers. Help out your local birds and provide them with a shady spot to splash, play, bathe, and drink--a bird bath!
Just like recognizing certain characteristics and habits of people you can do the same with birds, which ultimately makes identifying them much easier. These characteristics are shape, size, color, flight pattern and where they're seen, to name just a few. You're now armed with the education you really should have to make an educated buying decision!
Bird droppings can become very erosive, and the longer they sit on your cage, the more damage can occur. Even the best brand name cages will only last 3-4 years if not appropriately taken care of. Know What Species to Expect. There are approximately 900 species of birds in the United States and recognizing each of them is nearly impossible. So when you visit an area, do a little research first.
Off to See the Birds
Going on a birdwatching holiday? You are not alone. Bird enthusiasts number more than 50 million in America alone and a huge percentage of this crowd actively seek out birds in their territories to go on birdwatching trips. There are hundreds of companies offering birdwatching holidays, some even go on over 25 birding tours per year. International birdwatching tour companies even take bird lovers to Mexico and Alaska and as far away as India, Africa, Brazil and Peru.
So what happens on birdwatching holidays? People pay good money to go on birding trips.
Choosing a birdwatching holiday.
There are birdwatching companies who offer nothing else other than birding and there are also organizations that run tours that include lectures, such as those at universities, clubs and museums. Whichever you choose will depend on what type of holiday you prefer.
Ask a friend or family who has been to a birdwatching tour. If there is no one else, pick a known company to tour with. If you’re a newbie, it’s best to stick with a tried and tested group. Call them up or look up their sites on the internet to check their services.
Tour price.
Most bird watchers are not experts on our fine feathered friends from the start. Come find out more! Try this before you go; lower your binoculars to your side and very quickly raise them to find and follow a jet airliner across the sky. After only a few attempts, you’ll get good at quickly acquiring your target. Quite often, birds are visible for only a few seconds, practice to become proficient. If you are buying an actual antique, prepare to pay a hefty price. Be on the lookout, though, at garage sales and flea markets. Sometimes you can find an undiscovered treasure for mere pennies. Most families immediately think that they can choose between getting a cat or a dog simply because those are the most popular pets to have. Before you run out and purchase the perfect kitten or puppy, consider choosing a bird to be your family pet instead.
To fill up your hummingbird feeder, remove the cap holding the prescription vial on and fill it up with nectar and replace the cap. Closed tightly, turn the prescription vial upside down as quickly as you can.
Let me explain; birds are a lot like us, they want space, they want sunlight, they want to look around. I recommend getting a cage with wheels so you can move your bird from place to place and give them a change of scenery.
Depending on the location, tour prices can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars; and the same length and location can be offered at a lower price by another company. Some things that affect tour prices are group size and services. Some of the best group tours are those with small sized groups because they are easier to organize, more quiet and they can interact more with the leader. They are also way more expensive so companies compromise with 6-10 or 8 - 16 participants. The larger group normally has two leaders.
Services can include airfares, transfers, food and lodging. The price will depend on what is included in the tour.
Location
Make sure that you are well informed of the physical demands of the tours because some of them may be strenuous. Your outfit should conform to the demands of the surrounding, especially in summer, when the heat is intense. Bring hats, proper clothing, sunscreen and insect repellants.
Bring your tools. No birdwatching holiday is complete without binoculars or a telescope. Bring one with the proper magnification to let you enjoy the sights. Bring a camera, notebook and pen and maybe even a field guide to help you identify the birds. Other than these, bring your sense of wonder and enjoy the sights.
How do bird watchers strive to entice birds to their yards? Find out at http://www.bird-watch.info This is a tricky dilemma when shopping for a bird cage, but here is the general rule of thumb; the bigger the better, as long as the bar spacing isn't too wide. So what is too wide of a bar spacing?
Do not buy a generic bird cage, it will most likely come without a manual, without a tech support phone number, and without a decent warranty.
Department stores and discount stores sometimes offer sales on bird cages. Check the advertising section of your local newspaper. We may have the best intentions to let our bird spend most of his time out of the cage. But there will still be times when he needs to be in his cage.
Just like people, birds get hot and thirsty. Especially during the blistering summer months, your favorite flying friends may be roasting in their feathers. Help out your local birds and provide them with a shady spot to splash, play, bathe, and drink--a bird bath!
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
If you are a new bird watcher, we urge you to joing a bird watching forum.
The Great Backyard Bird Count
![[Image]](javascript:popwin ('/scripts/vlargeimage.php?image=012507_out-03_popup.jpg','image_viewer', 200, 250, 'no', 'no', 'yes', 'no', 'no');) |
| Photo courtesy of PAM FLYNN |
| Baltimore Oriole |
 |
Well, if we aren’t shoveling snow, cleaning up hurricane debris or scraping ice off our windshields, what are we doing? Enjoying the fair weather. Floridians have earned it. Kayaking, canoeing, camping, biking, hiking, fishing, boating, picnics in the park, backyard barbecues, and backyard birdying. Our feeders are windows of opportunity. Who came to dinner at your place this week?
People of all ages, and of all levels of experience, are invited to join the Great Backyard Bird Count which spans all of the United States and Canada Feb. 16 to 19. Participants can take part wherever they are. They simply count the highest number of each species they see during an outing or a sitting, and enter their tally on the Great Backyard Bird Count Web site at www.birdsource.org/gbbc. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the GBBC, and Cornell and Audubon are challenging people everywhere to participate in greater numbers than ever before.
“We are encouraging people who have never done so before to go outside and count birds,” said Paul Green, Audubon’s director of Citizen Science. “By submitting their counts online, bird watchers can quickly see how the dots they put on the map form patterns that tell new stories about the birds that share the world in which we live, including our own backyards and parks.”
Pat Leonard of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Erica Barton of the Audubon Society report in a recent press release, “Last year, participants submitted more than 60,000 checklists and reported 7.5 million birds overall and 623 different species. Together, the counts offer a real-time snapshot of the numbers and kinds of birds that people are finding, from boreal chickadees in Alaska to anhingas in Florida. The information is used to track bird populations and to better inform conservation efforts.”
A panel of six judges from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society reviewed more than 3,000 photos submitted during the 2006 Great Backyard Bird Count. Florida ranked ninth as the top 10 birdying checklist winners: 2,263 record, with a previous record of 2,134 in 2005.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is looking for volunteers. Participants who want to hone their bird watching skills can learn more from the GBBC Web site, which offers identification tips and a multimedia guide to 500 bird species. People can also submit photos to an online gallery showcasing the dazzling array of winter birds found during the GBBC. Competitions add another element of fun, including a prize drawing for everyone who submits a checklist, a photo contest, and the coveted “checklist champ” title for towns, states, and provinces with the highest participation.
Join the birdy fun in Florida. Go ahead and stuff a sweatshirt into your backpack (just in case), grab a pair of binoculars, sunscreen and don’t forget that tube of insect repellent. Help the birds during the Great Backyard Bird Count … enjoy being back to nature.
http://www.tbnweekly.com/editorial/outdoors/content_articles/012507_out-03.txt
How To Attract And Feed Hummingbirds
Bird watching is one of the few pleasure that can be done for free, or nearly so. Hummingbirds are one of the more popular species for birders - they come in beautiful colors and are able to hover in mid-air while they drink the nectar from flowers in your garden. But even if you don't have a garden, you can be feeding hummingbirds by using a proper feeder that has been designed especially for them.
There are lots of different styles of hummingbird feeders. Most of them have some red in them because the birds are attracted to this color. However, if you find a feeder you really like that doesn't have any red in it, a red ribbon tied around it will do the trick.
Aside from red, another thing that will help to attract hummingbirds is the nectar from various flowers, vines, shrubs and tress. Positioning your feeder among your garden will also help to get their attention (even if the flowers aren't in bloom).
Some of the hummingbird's favorite plants include flowering plants such as Columbine, Begonias and Holly Hocks, Fuchsias, Lantana and Coral Bells. Pentunias, Impatiens, and Penstemen are other favorites.
Trees that flower, such as Morning Glory, Trumpet Honeysuckle and Trumpet Creeper can also help to attract hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds are very territorial, so you'll need to have your feeders in spots where they won't be visible to one another. If they're placed within sight of each other, the birds will often fight - sometimes to the death - to protect their food.
The best time of year to put out your feeder is 5 to 10 days before the start of hummingbird season. This lets any passing migratory hummingbirds see the feeder and they will quite likely stop in your garden. Hummingbird season starts when the weather begins to warm up.
A food mixture that has been found to be popular with hummingbirds can be made as follows:
- 1 part sugar
- 4 parts water
Boil them together for a minute or two to kill bacteria and avoid spoilage. Cool the mixture in the fridge and store it there until it's feeding time.
Once you've started feeding them, you'll be amazed at how many hummingbirds will arrive at your garden, adding plenty of color and interest.
Article Source: http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com
Ronnie Booth writes about bird feeders and other birding topics on The Birding Guide website. For more helpful information and to sign up for our free birdwatching course, visit www.thebirdingguide.com
There are lots of different styles of hummingbird feeders. Most of them have some red in them because the birds are attracted to this color. However, if you find a feeder you really like that doesn't have any red in it, a red ribbon tied around it will do the trick.
Aside from red, another thing that will help to attract hummingbirds is the nectar from various flowers, vines, shrubs and tress. Positioning your feeder among your garden will also help to get their attention (even if the flowers aren't in bloom).
Some of the hummingbird's favorite plants include flowering plants such as Columbine, Begonias and Holly Hocks, Fuchsias, Lantana and Coral Bells. Pentunias, Impatiens, and Penstemen are other favorites.
Trees that flower, such as Morning Glory, Trumpet Honeysuckle and Trumpet Creeper can also help to attract hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds are very territorial, so you'll need to have your feeders in spots where they won't be visible to one another. If they're placed within sight of each other, the birds will often fight - sometimes to the death - to protect their food.
The best time of year to put out your feeder is 5 to 10 days before the start of hummingbird season. This lets any passing migratory hummingbirds see the feeder and they will quite likely stop in your garden. Hummingbird season starts when the weather begins to warm up.
A food mixture that has been found to be popular with hummingbirds can be made as follows:
- 1 part sugar
- 4 parts water
Boil them together for a minute or two to kill bacteria and avoid spoilage. Cool the mixture in the fridge and store it there until it's feeding time.
Once you've started feeding them, you'll be amazed at how many hummingbirds will arrive at your garden, adding plenty of color and interest.
Article Source: http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com
Ronnie Booth writes about bird feeders and other birding topics on The Birding Guide website. For more helpful information and to sign up for our free birdwatching course, visit www.thebirdingguide.com
Bird Watching In Africa - The Ultimate Vacation
Although bird watching is an activity that can be done virtually anywhere on the planet, Africa remains one of the most popular destinations on the planet for a bird watch adventure. Specifically, there is a substantial portion of the tourism industry in Southern Africa that is meeting the needs of bird watching in Africa. Service providers recognize the needs and desires of bird enthusiasts and create safaris and adventures designed with the serious bird watcher in mind.
What Region is Best?
Bird Watching in Africa is also popular on the Eastern portion of the continent. The bulk of the tourism is in the South, but a larger number of species exist in the Eastern nations of Kenya and Tanzania than anywhere else. Boasting over 1300 species, bird watchers in Eastern Africa have the opportunity to see 15% of the world's bird population in one trip. While the number is not so striking in the South, it is still substantial at 920 species. This equates to about 10% of the world's known species.
One of the nations that makes up the Southern area is Botswana. There are several prime destinations within Botswana. One is Chobe National Park. Here bird watchers will find over 450 species of native African birds. Another popular bird watching destination in Botswana is the Okavango Delta. Striking wildlife displays can be seen here seasonally as tiger fish follow the migrating birds up river. A trip to the famous Victoria falls should be planned in when visiting Botswana as well.
When considering East Africa for bird watching, Kenya provides a diverse range of opportunities. From the Central Highlands, which are heavily forested, to the lower lying lakes region, Kenya is a haven for many of Eastern Africa's bird species. When considering Kenya, be sure to check out Aberdare National Park, Amboseli National Park, Lake Baringo, Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, Mount Kenya National Park and the Kakamego Forest Reserve. Several of these parks also serve as the home to various species of primates that are sure to attract your attention as you keep your binoculars turned towards the trees searching for birds.
Make the Most of this Incredible Bird Watching Destination
If you are going to invest the time and money into a trip to go bird watching in Africa, you will want to make sure that you take plenty of time to prepare. Research the species that you may be encountering so that you don't have to spend all of your time leafing through guide books. Read reviews on guides and outfitters to ensure that you have the best possible experience that you can. Some services meet certain needs and interests and you want to make sure that you get the most out of your once in a lifetime investment.
Article Source: http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com
John Edmond writes regularly for a number of websites on on oudoor recreation and pursuits including birdwatching and vacation camping.
What Region is Best?
Bird Watching in Africa is also popular on the Eastern portion of the continent. The bulk of the tourism is in the South, but a larger number of species exist in the Eastern nations of Kenya and Tanzania than anywhere else. Boasting over 1300 species, bird watchers in Eastern Africa have the opportunity to see 15% of the world's bird population in one trip. While the number is not so striking in the South, it is still substantial at 920 species. This equates to about 10% of the world's known species.
One of the nations that makes up the Southern area is Botswana. There are several prime destinations within Botswana. One is Chobe National Park. Here bird watchers will find over 450 species of native African birds. Another popular bird watching destination in Botswana is the Okavango Delta. Striking wildlife displays can be seen here seasonally as tiger fish follow the migrating birds up river. A trip to the famous Victoria falls should be planned in when visiting Botswana as well.
When considering East Africa for bird watching, Kenya provides a diverse range of opportunities. From the Central Highlands, which are heavily forested, to the lower lying lakes region, Kenya is a haven for many of Eastern Africa's bird species. When considering Kenya, be sure to check out Aberdare National Park, Amboseli National Park, Lake Baringo, Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, Mount Kenya National Park and the Kakamego Forest Reserve. Several of these parks also serve as the home to various species of primates that are sure to attract your attention as you keep your binoculars turned towards the trees searching for birds.
Make the Most of this Incredible Bird Watching Destination
If you are going to invest the time and money into a trip to go bird watching in Africa, you will want to make sure that you take plenty of time to prepare. Research the species that you may be encountering so that you don't have to spend all of your time leafing through guide books. Read reviews on guides and outfitters to ensure that you have the best possible experience that you can. Some services meet certain needs and interests and you want to make sure that you get the most out of your once in a lifetime investment.
Article Source: http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com
John Edmond writes regularly for a number of websites on on oudoor recreation and pursuits including birdwatching and vacation camping.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Bird Watching In Africa - The Ultimate Vacation
Although bird watching is an activity that can be done virtually anywhere on the planet, Africa remains one of the most popular destinations on the planet for a bird watch adventure. Specifically, there is a substantial portion of the tourism industry in Southern Africa that is meeting the needs of bird watching in Africa. Service providers recognize the needs and desires of bird enthusiasts and create safaris and adventures designed with the serious bird watcher in mind.
What Region is Best?
Bird Watching in Africa is also popular on the Eastern portion of the continent. The bulk of the tourism is in the South, but a larger number of species exist in the Eastern nations of Kenya and Tanzania than anywhere else. Boasting over 1300 species, bird watchers in Eastern Africa have the opportunity to see 15% of the world's bird population in one trip. While the number is not so striking in the South, it is still substantial at 920 species. This equates to about 10% of the world's known species.
One of the nations that makes up the Southern area is Botswana. There are several prime destinations within Botswana. One is Chobe National Park. Here bird watchers will find over 450 species of native African birds. Another popular bird watching destination in Botswana is the Okavango Delta. Striking wildlife displays can be seen here seasonally as tiger fish follow the migrating birds up river. A trip to the famous Victoria falls should be planned in when visiting Botswana as well.
When considering East Africa for bird watching, Kenya provides a diverse range of opportunities. From the Central Highlands, which are heavily forested, to the lower lying lakes region, Kenya is a haven for many of Eastern Africa's bird species. When considering Kenya, be sure to check out Aberdare National Park, Amboseli National Park, Lake Baringo, Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, Mount Kenya National Park and the Kakamego Forest Reserve. Several of these parks also serve as the home to various species of primates that are sure to attract your attention as you keep your binoculars turned towards the trees searching for birds.
Make the Most of this Incredible Bird Watching Destination
If you are going to invest the time and money into a trip to go bird watching in Africa, you will want to make sure that you take plenty of time to prepare. Research the species that you may be encountering so that you don't have to spend all of your time leafing through guide books. Read reviews on guides and outfitters to ensure that you have the best possible experience that you can. Some services meet certain needs and interests and you want to make sure that you get the most out of your once in a lifetime investment.
Article Source: http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com
What Region is Best?
Bird Watching in Africa is also popular on the Eastern portion of the continent. The bulk of the tourism is in the South, but a larger number of species exist in the Eastern nations of Kenya and Tanzania than anywhere else. Boasting over 1300 species, bird watchers in Eastern Africa have the opportunity to see 15% of the world's bird population in one trip. While the number is not so striking in the South, it is still substantial at 920 species. This equates to about 10% of the world's known species.
One of the nations that makes up the Southern area is Botswana. There are several prime destinations within Botswana. One is Chobe National Park. Here bird watchers will find over 450 species of native African birds. Another popular bird watching destination in Botswana is the Okavango Delta. Striking wildlife displays can be seen here seasonally as tiger fish follow the migrating birds up river. A trip to the famous Victoria falls should be planned in when visiting Botswana as well.
When considering East Africa for bird watching, Kenya provides a diverse range of opportunities. From the Central Highlands, which are heavily forested, to the lower lying lakes region, Kenya is a haven for many of Eastern Africa's bird species. When considering Kenya, be sure to check out Aberdare National Park, Amboseli National Park, Lake Baringo, Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, Mount Kenya National Park and the Kakamego Forest Reserve. Several of these parks also serve as the home to various species of primates that are sure to attract your attention as you keep your binoculars turned towards the trees searching for birds.
Make the Most of this Incredible Bird Watching Destination
If you are going to invest the time and money into a trip to go bird watching in Africa, you will want to make sure that you take plenty of time to prepare. Research the species that you may be encountering so that you don't have to spend all of your time leafing through guide books. Read reviews on guides and outfitters to ensure that you have the best possible experience that you can. Some services meet certain needs and interests and you want to make sure that you get the most out of your once in a lifetime investment.
Article Source: http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com
Bird Watching And Visual Enhancement Device
Birds are the most fascinating gift of the nature that have adorned the world with some inspirational shades, thereby magnifying the beauty a million times. Unlike the professional ornithologists, engaged in watching and studying birds for the scientific reasons, the act of bird watching is observing and studying birds merely for some recreational purpose. The birds are usually observed with the naked eyes or by the dint of a visual enhancement device, the most commonly used of which is a binocular.
A great section of the world’s overall population is engaged in the hobby of bird watching or birding, although in India it is not too large as compared to the western world. The Indian bird lovers boast at the fact that there exist more than 1200 distinctive species of birds only in India, giving enough scopes for the birders from far and wide to study how they fly, what they feed on, the chirps of each species and there natural instincts.
Bird Watching Binocular
What is essentially necessary hereby is a good visual enhancement device – chiefly a binocular. This is the most significant component without which the hobby of watching birds will be of zero value. The most important fact regarding the issue is that a bird watching binocular is very much different from the a normal binocular and there are certain pivotal points to be seriously considered while buying a bird watching binocular. A good bird watching binocular should be an extremely powerful portable optical device that can give an eagle-eye view. The small binoculars are of no use in these cases. The big sizes yield great results. A minimum of 70 mm objective lens is, however, essential for the good transmission of light.
Another very significant criterion to be considered while buying a bird watching binocular is the kind of optics. Amongst the two different categories, viz. porro and roof prisms, it is advisable to opt for the phase-corrected roof prism binocular, although the porro prism binos are comparatively cheaper. This is due to the fact that the roof prisms binoculars are lighter and yield more detailed results.
Magnification and the objective lens size are the other vital parts of the story, when it comes to choosing bird watching binoculars. The optical power of the binoculars is defined as 10X40 or 8X36, where the first number indicates the number of times the original subject will be magnified or is closer, while the second number denotes the size of the objective lens. The bigger the size of the objective lens, the more light or image detail is going to be captured.
Another significant consideration while choosing a binocular for bird watching is the phase coating, which is basically a special treatment for the roof prism binoculars. The better the quality of the of the phase coating higher will be the resolution and the clarity of the image. With the good quality phase coating of the binoculars the bird watchers get quality range of close focus details along with the enhanced color resolution.
http://www.submityournewarticle.com/Article/Bird-Watching-And-Visual-Enhancement-Device/143622
A great section of the world’s overall population is engaged in the hobby of bird watching or birding, although in India it is not too large as compared to the western world. The Indian bird lovers boast at the fact that there exist more than 1200 distinctive species of birds only in India, giving enough scopes for the birders from far and wide to study how they fly, what they feed on, the chirps of each species and there natural instincts.
Bird Watching Binocular
What is essentially necessary hereby is a good visual enhancement device – chiefly a binocular. This is the most significant component without which the hobby of watching birds will be of zero value. The most important fact regarding the issue is that a bird watching binocular is very much different from the a normal binocular and there are certain pivotal points to be seriously considered while buying a bird watching binocular. A good bird watching binocular should be an extremely powerful portable optical device that can give an eagle-eye view. The small binoculars are of no use in these cases. The big sizes yield great results. A minimum of 70 mm objective lens is, however, essential for the good transmission of light.
Another very significant criterion to be considered while buying a bird watching binocular is the kind of optics. Amongst the two different categories, viz. porro and roof prisms, it is advisable to opt for the phase-corrected roof prism binocular, although the porro prism binos are comparatively cheaper. This is due to the fact that the roof prisms binoculars are lighter and yield more detailed results.
Magnification and the objective lens size are the other vital parts of the story, when it comes to choosing bird watching binoculars. The optical power of the binoculars is defined as 10X40 or 8X36, where the first number indicates the number of times the original subject will be magnified or is closer, while the second number denotes the size of the objective lens. The bigger the size of the objective lens, the more light or image detail is going to be captured.
Another significant consideration while choosing a binocular for bird watching is the phase coating, which is basically a special treatment for the roof prism binoculars. The better the quality of the of the phase coating higher will be the resolution and the clarity of the image. With the good quality phase coating of the binoculars the bird watchers get quality range of close focus details along with the enhanced color resolution.
http://www.submityournewarticle.com/Article/Bird-Watching-And-Visual-Enhancement-Device/143622
Bird Watching in the Adirondacks
Upstate New York is known for the fun and beauty that can be found in the Adirondacks. Bird watching in the Adirondacks is excellent and a combination of all the things that make the Adirondacks great.
Bird Watching in the Adirondacks
The Adirondacks are a mountain range in northeastern New York State. It is best know as a popular winter resort area with a long history of entertaining celebrities of a sort. Less well known is the fact that the area is a great place to pick up additions to your life list.
During the summer of 2005, Hamilton County held the first Adirondack Birding Festival to honor the birds whose habitat lie within the region. The festival encouraged the participation in hikes, canoe trips and nature walks to watch over 100 species nest in Adirondacks' Hamilton County, home to the Bicknell’s thrush, a rare songbird only found in mountaintop forests of the Northeast. Other birds that can be seen during the festival include the Common Raven, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Golden-Crowned Kinglet to mention only a few.
The Adirondacks are home to many boreal bird species. Some of them include the Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Palm, Blackpoll Warblers, Yellow-Bellied, Olive-Sided Flycatchers and other species. The boreal chickadee is also native to the Adirondacks, but lives in Hamilton County. While bird watchers can find birds like the gray jay or black-backed woodpecker throughout the year, the migrating birds are seen in June. To find them, just keep quiet and listen for their singing, which announces their arrival to the Adirondack region. Once the migration begins, the area is flush with a wide variety of species and sightings can be made while driving along. Try not to crash!
The Adirondack Regional Tourism Council has also developed a ton of information devoted to education on birding in the Adirondacks. The council provides detailed maps and information on 86 Adirondack's birding sites and more than 300 species in the entire region including specialties such as the Bicknell’s Thrush and Spruce Grouse. Contact them for more information.
Bird watching in the Adirondacks is a great way to get out of the big city. With the wide variety of species and sighting points, your life list is sure to benefit.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com
Two Campgrounds Great for Bird Watching, Hiking and Beautiful Views
Dedicated to finding campgrounds that have beautiful views of natural settings, I recommend Bog Springs and Lakeview campgrounds located near Tucson, Arizona in Coronado National Forest for their beautiful views of the unique terrain of southeastern Arizona. They're also great for bird watching and hiking.
Bog Springs Campground
Bog Springs is the only campground in Madera Canyon - a world-class birding area with over 200 species of birds. Hawks, Quail, Doves, Road Runners, Owls, Woodpeckers, Hummingbirds, Jays, Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Thrashers, White-breasted Nuthatches, Bridled Titmice, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and many more bird species can all be seen in the Madera Canyon area. The campground is at an elevation of 5,200 feet and is small (only 13 camp sites). Once the birds arrive in early spring, it fills up fast. Weekdays are best for finding a camp site during the peak bird watching season.
It's also a great base camp for hiking, biking and stargazing. Three trails leave from the campground to nearby springs and the campground is just a short walk away from Madera Picnic Area, where there is access to a nature trail. Within driving distance are over 65 miles of Forest trails that lead into the Mt. Wrightson Wilderness, a mountain bike ride around spectacular Elephant Head Rock, and three scenic drives, one of which visits the Smithsonian's Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory.
If you're not a bird watcher and don't like to hike, Bog Springs is still a great campground to visit with beautiful views of the Santa Rita Mountains and surrounding desert/arid landscape. The campground is open all year. We visited the campground in Late November (not many birds that time of year). The weather and scenery were gorgeous. Most of the camp sites had beautiful views of the mountains and desert landscape. There were only 2 other campers in the campground at the time. Most of the camp sites are shaded and well spaced with boulders, trees and other vegetation providing good separation between sites. Some of the sites are terraced which also provides separation. The campground has a rustic feel but is very easy to get to with paved roads almost all the way to the entrance.
Getting to the campground is easy. From Tuscon, go toward Green Valley (about 25 miles). Off Interstate 19, take the Continental Road/Madera Canyon Exit. Turn east and follow the Madera Canyon signs 12.5 miles to the campground.
For more information on this campground, call the District National Forest office at 520-281-2296.
Lakeview Campground
Lakeview campground is located on a hill overlooking Parker Canyon Lake. Many of the campsites are well shaded and are spread among a stand of oaks and junipers. Although the campground is just a short walk to the lakeshore, only the tent sites have views of the beautiful clear waters of Parker Canyon Lake.
Lakeview Campground is more remote and less accessible than other campgrounds which is a plus if you don't like crowds. There is a five mile trail hugging the shoreline that leads around Parker Canyon Lake. The lake is great for watching ducks and other waterfowl as well as bald eagles, osprey and even hummingbirds in season. The trail has several viewing areas with benches and interpretive signs.
Parker Canyon Lake is also great for fishing. It offers both cold and warm water species, including stocked rainbow trout and resident bass, sunfish, and catfish. There is a fishing pier and a paved boat ramp at the lake. There is also a small concessionaire-operated store at the lakeshore for boating, fishing and other supplies.
Getting there from Tucson isn't quite as easy as Bog Springs. A good bit of the access roads are not paved. From Tucson, travel east on Interstate 10 to State Route 83 (exit 281) and turn south 50 miles through Sonoita to Parker Canyon Lake.
Author Resource:- Carl Zimmerman is owner and webmaster of Camping with a View, dedicated to finding campgrounds with beautiful views. Visit the Arizona Campgrounds - Coronado National Forest Campground Reviews page for photos, reviews and more information on Bog Springs and Lakeview campgrounds.
http://www.articlefriendly.com/articledetail.php?artid=6886&catid=285
Bog Springs Campground
Bog Springs is the only campground in Madera Canyon - a world-class birding area with over 200 species of birds. Hawks, Quail, Doves, Road Runners, Owls, Woodpeckers, Hummingbirds, Jays, Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Thrashers, White-breasted Nuthatches, Bridled Titmice, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and many more bird species can all be seen in the Madera Canyon area. The campground is at an elevation of 5,200 feet and is small (only 13 camp sites). Once the birds arrive in early spring, it fills up fast. Weekdays are best for finding a camp site during the peak bird watching season.
It's also a great base camp for hiking, biking and stargazing. Three trails leave from the campground to nearby springs and the campground is just a short walk away from Madera Picnic Area, where there is access to a nature trail. Within driving distance are over 65 miles of Forest trails that lead into the Mt. Wrightson Wilderness, a mountain bike ride around spectacular Elephant Head Rock, and three scenic drives, one of which visits the Smithsonian's Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory.
If you're not a bird watcher and don't like to hike, Bog Springs is still a great campground to visit with beautiful views of the Santa Rita Mountains and surrounding desert/arid landscape. The campground is open all year. We visited the campground in Late November (not many birds that time of year). The weather and scenery were gorgeous. Most of the camp sites had beautiful views of the mountains and desert landscape. There were only 2 other campers in the campground at the time. Most of the camp sites are shaded and well spaced with boulders, trees and other vegetation providing good separation between sites. Some of the sites are terraced which also provides separation. The campground has a rustic feel but is very easy to get to with paved roads almost all the way to the entrance.
Getting to the campground is easy. From Tuscon, go toward Green Valley (about 25 miles). Off Interstate 19, take the Continental Road/Madera Canyon Exit. Turn east and follow the Madera Canyon signs 12.5 miles to the campground.
For more information on this campground, call the District National Forest office at 520-281-2296.
Lakeview Campground
Lakeview campground is located on a hill overlooking Parker Canyon Lake. Many of the campsites are well shaded and are spread among a stand of oaks and junipers. Although the campground is just a short walk to the lakeshore, only the tent sites have views of the beautiful clear waters of Parker Canyon Lake.
Lakeview Campground is more remote and less accessible than other campgrounds which is a plus if you don't like crowds. There is a five mile trail hugging the shoreline that leads around Parker Canyon Lake. The lake is great for watching ducks and other waterfowl as well as bald eagles, osprey and even hummingbirds in season. The trail has several viewing areas with benches and interpretive signs.
Parker Canyon Lake is also great for fishing. It offers both cold and warm water species, including stocked rainbow trout and resident bass, sunfish, and catfish. There is a fishing pier and a paved boat ramp at the lake. There is also a small concessionaire-operated store at the lakeshore for boating, fishing and other supplies.
Getting there from Tucson isn't quite as easy as Bog Springs. A good bit of the access roads are not paved. From Tucson, travel east on Interstate 10 to State Route 83 (exit 281) and turn south 50 miles through Sonoita to Parker Canyon Lake.
Author Resource:- Carl Zimmerman is owner and webmaster of Camping with a View, dedicated to finding campgrounds with beautiful views. Visit the Arizona Campgrounds - Coronado National Forest Campground Reviews page for photos, reviews and more information on Bog Springs and Lakeview campgrounds.
http://www.articlefriendly.com/articledetail.php?artid=6886&catid=285
Hummingbird Feeders - Your Guide to Get Hummingbirds Buzzing Around Your Backyard
Hummingbirds are wonderfully unique birds to watch. They flutter, hover, dodge, dart and just simply seem to play. However, all that moving around burns a tremendous amount of energy and they need to feed frequently. They literally fly to eat and eat to fly!
What is the hummingbird feeder for? Most people don't realize that the main food of the hummingbird is insects, but they need the sugar rich nectar to provide them the energy to search for the insects, that is where we humans come in. Hummingbird feeders are usually filled with a mixture of 4 parts water to one part sugar. This mixture should be boiled to ensure all impurities are killed. Any excess can be refrigerated until needed. The mixture should be changed at least once a week and more frequently in very warm weather. In addition to changing the nectar, the feeder should be cleaned regularly. Since this is a sugar mixture, you are sure to attract many other nuisances you may not want to feed, such as bees, ants, and even bats.
All sugars are not created equal, at least that is what the hummingbirds say. When given the choice, hummingbirds prefer artificial nectar made from cane sugar rather than beet sugars. If you are not attracting them, check and make sure the sugar you are using is cane.
Ever have a problem with your feeder being full at night when you go to bed, but empty in the morning? You may think you have a sneaky neighbor taking all your nectar, but it is most likely due to bats. Bats also love the sweet nectar and can drain your feeders overnight. One strategy to keep bats out is to find bee covers for your feeder ports. The bat tongue is much larger and cannot get through the bee covers. Then again, maybe you want to feed the bats also, they eat huge amounts of insects every night, however, that's another story.
Red is very attractive to hummingbirds, so your feeder should have some red in it. Please do not use red food coloring in your homemade food. To color a sugar mixture, find a bird friendly coloring at your local birding store.
Keeping desirable flowers in your garden near the feeder is also helpful in getting those little guys to frequent your feeders. Flowering plants like Columbine, Begonias and Holly Hocks, as well as Fuchsias, Coral Bells and Lantana will definitely increase your chances. Impatiens, Penstemen, and Petunias along with Geraniums and Flowering Tobacco are also favorites of hummingbirds. There are many other types of flowers hummingbirds will frequent.
Be careful putting multiple feeders too close together! Hummingbirds are very territorial and will defend their "turf", sometimes to the death. Another safety tip is to keep your feeders several feet away from windows and dense cover, like large bushes. If you are having problems with hummingbirds (or any other kind) running into your windows, take a look from their perspective and see if you can see a reflection of the sky, or another window on the other side of the house that looks like a passageway. Large bushes can hide predators, like your neighbors cat, that may try and attack the birds.
The best time to start putting out feeders is when the weather starts to warm up. Yes, this is a little vague, but hey, these guys aren't on a schedule. Since they are migratory birds, you will have a good chance of getting them to hang around if you get your food out early, while they are migrating through the area.
I hope you are able to enjoy this little wonders for a long time to come, they truly are wonderous birds. Author Resource:- Ty Thomas is a birding enthusiast, owner, and author of the site Bird Feeding Successwhere you can find more Bird Feeding Articles, tips, and techniques on creating a bird sanctuary in your backyard.
http://www.articlefriendly.com/articledetail.php?artid=5715&catid=96
What is the hummingbird feeder for? Most people don't realize that the main food of the hummingbird is insects, but they need the sugar rich nectar to provide them the energy to search for the insects, that is where we humans come in. Hummingbird feeders are usually filled with a mixture of 4 parts water to one part sugar. This mixture should be boiled to ensure all impurities are killed. Any excess can be refrigerated until needed. The mixture should be changed at least once a week and more frequently in very warm weather. In addition to changing the nectar, the feeder should be cleaned regularly. Since this is a sugar mixture, you are sure to attract many other nuisances you may not want to feed, such as bees, ants, and even bats.
All sugars are not created equal, at least that is what the hummingbirds say. When given the choice, hummingbirds prefer artificial nectar made from cane sugar rather than beet sugars. If you are not attracting them, check and make sure the sugar you are using is cane.
Ever have a problem with your feeder being full at night when you go to bed, but empty in the morning? You may think you have a sneaky neighbor taking all your nectar, but it is most likely due to bats. Bats also love the sweet nectar and can drain your feeders overnight. One strategy to keep bats out is to find bee covers for your feeder ports. The bat tongue is much larger and cannot get through the bee covers. Then again, maybe you want to feed the bats also, they eat huge amounts of insects every night, however, that's another story.
Red is very attractive to hummingbirds, so your feeder should have some red in it. Please do not use red food coloring in your homemade food. To color a sugar mixture, find a bird friendly coloring at your local birding store.
Keeping desirable flowers in your garden near the feeder is also helpful in getting those little guys to frequent your feeders. Flowering plants like Columbine, Begonias and Holly Hocks, as well as Fuchsias, Coral Bells and Lantana will definitely increase your chances. Impatiens, Penstemen, and Petunias along with Geraniums and Flowering Tobacco are also favorites of hummingbirds. There are many other types of flowers hummingbirds will frequent.
Be careful putting multiple feeders too close together! Hummingbirds are very territorial and will defend their "turf", sometimes to the death. Another safety tip is to keep your feeders several feet away from windows and dense cover, like large bushes. If you are having problems with hummingbirds (or any other kind) running into your windows, take a look from their perspective and see if you can see a reflection of the sky, or another window on the other side of the house that looks like a passageway. Large bushes can hide predators, like your neighbors cat, that may try and attack the birds.
The best time to start putting out feeders is when the weather starts to warm up. Yes, this is a little vague, but hey, these guys aren't on a schedule. Since they are migratory birds, you will have a good chance of getting them to hang around if you get your food out early, while they are migrating through the area.
I hope you are able to enjoy this little wonders for a long time to come, they truly are wonderous birds. Author Resource:- Ty Thomas is a birding enthusiast, owner, and author of the site Bird Feeding Successwhere you can find more Bird Feeding Articles, tips, and techniques on creating a bird sanctuary in your backyard.
http://www.articlefriendly.com/articledetail.php?artid=5715&catid=96
Exploring Bird Watching Binoculars
As you prepare to enter the world of bird watching, you will need a great pair of bird watching binoculars are your primary piece of equipment for this incredible journey. Birding and bird watching is essentially the same thing, so comparing birding binoculars to bird watching binoculars wouldn't be too necessary because they are the same piece of equipment. Novices often get confused at the outset and end up buying two pairs of binoculars when they actually only need one. It is important to not get too caught up in what you are told you will need and get involved in nature instead.
So birding is the activity of watching and observing wild birds. Birds in captivity or in any type of cages are not wild birds, so heading over to the zoo with your bird watching binoculars around your neck is not birding. Birdwatchers observe birds in their natural habitats, learning to identify the birds and learning about what they do, how they live, and the typical bird experience. In North America alone, there are over eight hundred species of birds, so birding can be quite a mountain to climb with so much to see. With a little diligence and some adventure, it ends up being a great time for all involved.
More On Birding
Birding is actually something you can do in your own backyard with your bird watching binoculars and a glass of lemonade. You can take part in this activity at your local park or anywhere else you may travel because, as we know, birds are pretty much everywhere in the world. People of all ages participate in birding, too, so it is never an issue of it being an activity for only a certain age group and the like. The actuality is that birding is fast becoming a popular activity for all people of all ages and backgrounds.
In order to learn more about bird watching, you can take your bird watching binoculars and participate in a variety of nature walks in your area. Consider joining an actual birding group and get to know some people in the process as you encounter several wild birds. You can also subscribe to a magazine on bird watching or find out more information online and join a mailing list to get more information. This will help you gather your thoughts and information in a careful way so that when you hit the trails, you know what you are looking for and can point your binoculars to the right target. Author Resource:- A. Henley.
http://www.articlefriendly.com/articledetail.php?artid=372&catid=97
So birding is the activity of watching and observing wild birds. Birds in captivity or in any type of cages are not wild birds, so heading over to the zoo with your bird watching binoculars around your neck is not birding. Birdwatchers observe birds in their natural habitats, learning to identify the birds and learning about what they do, how they live, and the typical bird experience. In North America alone, there are over eight hundred species of birds, so birding can be quite a mountain to climb with so much to see. With a little diligence and some adventure, it ends up being a great time for all involved.
More On Birding
Birding is actually something you can do in your own backyard with your bird watching binoculars and a glass of lemonade. You can take part in this activity at your local park or anywhere else you may travel because, as we know, birds are pretty much everywhere in the world. People of all ages participate in birding, too, so it is never an issue of it being an activity for only a certain age group and the like. The actuality is that birding is fast becoming a popular activity for all people of all ages and backgrounds.
In order to learn more about bird watching, you can take your bird watching binoculars and participate in a variety of nature walks in your area. Consider joining an actual birding group and get to know some people in the process as you encounter several wild birds. You can also subscribe to a magazine on bird watching or find out more information online and join a mailing list to get more information. This will help you gather your thoughts and information in a careful way so that when you hit the trails, you know what you are looking for and can point your binoculars to the right target. Author Resource:- A. Henley.
http://www.articlefriendly.com/articledetail.php?artid=372&catid=97
Enjoy the Outer Banks Year Round with Area Festivals
Thanks to a fairly temperate climate that keeps the Outer Banks pleasant all year long, this strip of the Mid-Atlantic shoreline is a great place to stay no matter the month. Currituck and Outer Banks locals and businesses thrive on the continuous tourism coming into the area, and the festive spirit stretches for months as various annual festivals are planned. All are invited to participate and enjoy in the celebration of the best the North Carolina shores and Outer Banks have to offer.
Bird watchers and birding enthusiasts will want to take note of two particular events. The annual Wings Over Water weekend is designed to educate visitors on the natural preserves in the Outer Banks. Thought the area was just beach...think again! The Carolina coast is home to a number of marshes and wildlife refuges. At Wings Over Water and at the annual Purple Martin Roost Festival people can learn how to preserve this fragile environment while also enjoying the natural beauty of the area. Wings Over Water is held normally in early May, while the Purple Martin festival, celebrating the delightful little birds of the same name, happens in Manteo in August.
Another favorite natural attraction of the Outer Banks are the wild mustangs that roam the shores of Currituck. Unstabled and unmarked, these horses fend for themselves and frolic on the beaches. If you stay in Currituck you may embark on a guided Jeep tour to see these horses in their natural habit, and if you happen to be here in June you can celebrate Wild Horse Days with the family. Proceeds from the festival benefit the horses, preserving the remaining herds for future generations.
June is also roughly the time of the Dare Days Festival, a days long celebration of Dare County heritage. As one of the first counties founded in North Carolina, Dare Days bring to light the colonial history of the area and its importance in the shaping of our nation. Later in August, the story of Virginia Dare, the first English settler born in the New World in reenacted in a special presentation of The Lost Colony, the longest running outdoor drama in the Carolinas.
And, if you have a taste for best of the Outer Banks, summer's end bring the annual Knotts Island Peach Festival. For two days the island is alive with music and fun, and everything peachy! Guests may pick from the orchards or sample baked goods, maybe even a sip of peach wine. Speaking of wine, stay into October and you can enjoy the annual Currituck Food and Wine Festival. Here the local vineyards come together to share the year's harvest and wine lovers can try sweet muscadine wines, fruity dessert wines, and local cuisine.
The Outer Banks is a festive place to visit, no matter the time. Plan your vacation to the northern shore accordingly and you will find more than just beach and sunshine, but many opportunities to learn, have fun, and celebrate!
http://www.articlefriendly.com/articledetail.php?artid=5715&catid=96
Bird watchers and birding enthusiasts will want to take note of two particular events. The annual Wings Over Water weekend is designed to educate visitors on the natural preserves in the Outer Banks. Thought the area was just beach...think again! The Carolina coast is home to a number of marshes and wildlife refuges. At Wings Over Water and at the annual Purple Martin Roost Festival people can learn how to preserve this fragile environment while also enjoying the natural beauty of the area. Wings Over Water is held normally in early May, while the Purple Martin festival, celebrating the delightful little birds of the same name, happens in Manteo in August.
Another favorite natural attraction of the Outer Banks are the wild mustangs that roam the shores of Currituck. Unstabled and unmarked, these horses fend for themselves and frolic on the beaches. If you stay in Currituck you may embark on a guided Jeep tour to see these horses in their natural habit, and if you happen to be here in June you can celebrate Wild Horse Days with the family. Proceeds from the festival benefit the horses, preserving the remaining herds for future generations.
June is also roughly the time of the Dare Days Festival, a days long celebration of Dare County heritage. As one of the first counties founded in North Carolina, Dare Days bring to light the colonial history of the area and its importance in the shaping of our nation. Later in August, the story of Virginia Dare, the first English settler born in the New World in reenacted in a special presentation of The Lost Colony, the longest running outdoor drama in the Carolinas.
And, if you have a taste for best of the Outer Banks, summer's end bring the annual Knotts Island Peach Festival. For two days the island is alive with music and fun, and everything peachy! Guests may pick from the orchards or sample baked goods, maybe even a sip of peach wine. Speaking of wine, stay into October and you can enjoy the annual Currituck Food and Wine Festival. Here the local vineyards come together to share the year's harvest and wine lovers can try sweet muscadine wines, fruity dessert wines, and local cuisine.
The Outer Banks is a festive place to visit, no matter the time. Plan your vacation to the northern shore accordingly and you will find more than just beach and sunshine, but many opportunities to learn, have fun, and celebrate!
http://www.articlefriendly.com/articledetail.php?artid=5715&catid=96
Cape May Bird Observatory in New Jersey
Cape May in New Jersey is home to the Cape May Bird Observatory. Cape May is arguably North America's premier birding location. This premier New Jersey bird watching spot is widely known among birders for its vast concentrations of autumn migrants. That over 200 species have been seen in a day is a testament to the everyday avian wealth of this area. More than 400 species of birds have been recorded in Cape May. There are few places in North America that offer more to bird lovers Cape May.
Cape May is an especially good place to observe shorebirds. Nearly a million and a half shorebirds gather along the beaches of Delaware Bay every spring, including loons, gannets, cormorants and sea ducks, all of which migrate within sight of land. An average of 60,000 birds of prey are tallied at the Official Hawk Watch every autumn.
Cape May Bird Observatory is also a nature resource center for bird, butterfly and dragonfly watching activity in New Jersey. Here visitors can find information pertaining to travel, lodging, and bird and butterfly watching.
New Jersey’s Cape May Bird Observatory is a Mecca for American birdwatchers because it takes its purpose seriously. Cape May even features the Cape May Birding Hotline a 24-hour bird alert covering bird sightings in South Jersey. Cape May is also famous for its many workshops, nature weekends, regularly scheduled walks and a host of seasonally calibrated programs, field trips and special events. Cape May offers these walks, programs, and workshops throughout the year.
Since 1976 The Northwood Center overlooking Lily Lake at Cape May Bird Observatory has been the perfect one-stop shop for visiting nature lovers. Here birdwatchers can stock up on binoculars and spotting scopes. They can also pick up field-guides and books about nature for adults and children alike.
Author Resource:-
http://www.articlefriendly.com/articledetail.php?artid=4238&catid=186
Cape May is an especially good place to observe shorebirds. Nearly a million and a half shorebirds gather along the beaches of Delaware Bay every spring, including loons, gannets, cormorants and sea ducks, all of which migrate within sight of land. An average of 60,000 birds of prey are tallied at the Official Hawk Watch every autumn.
Cape May Bird Observatory is also a nature resource center for bird, butterfly and dragonfly watching activity in New Jersey. Here visitors can find information pertaining to travel, lodging, and bird and butterfly watching.
New Jersey’s Cape May Bird Observatory is a Mecca for American birdwatchers because it takes its purpose seriously. Cape May even features the Cape May Birding Hotline a 24-hour bird alert covering bird sightings in South Jersey. Cape May is also famous for its many workshops, nature weekends, regularly scheduled walks and a host of seasonally calibrated programs, field trips and special events. Cape May offers these walks, programs, and workshops throughout the year.
Since 1976 The Northwood Center overlooking Lily Lake at Cape May Bird Observatory has been the perfect one-stop shop for visiting nature lovers. Here birdwatchers can stock up on binoculars and spotting scopes. They can also pick up field-guides and books about nature for adults and children alike.
Author Resource:-
Looking for more information on Best Airport Hotels Houston check out airporthotelsbest.com your guide to the best airport hotels
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Hummingbird Feeders - Your Guide to Get Hummingbirds Buzzing Around Your Backyard
Hummingbirds are wonderfully unique birds to watch. They flutter, hover, dodge, dart and just simply seem to play. However, all that moving around burns a tremendous amount of energy and they need to feed frequently. They literally fly to eat and eat to fly!
What is the hummingbird feeder for? Most people don't realize that the main food of the hummingbird is insects, but they need the sugar rich nectar to provide them the energy to search for the insects, that is where we humans come in. Hummingbird feeders are usually filled with a mixture of 4 parts water to one part sugar. This mixture should be boiled to ensure all impurities are killed. Any excess can be refrigerated until needed. The mixture should be changed at least once a week and more frequently in very warm weather. In addition to changing the nectar, the feeder should be cleaned regularly. Since this is a sugar mixture, you are sure to attract many other nuisances you may not want to feed, such as bees, ants, and even bats.
All sugars are not created equal, at least that is what the hummingbirds say. When given the choice, hummingbirds prefer artificial nectar made from cane sugar rather than beet sugars. If you are not attracting them, check and make sure the sugar you are using is cane.
Ever have a problem with your feeder being full at night when you go to bed, but empty in the morning? You may think you have a sneaky neighbor taking all your nectar, but it is most likely due to bats. Bats also love the sweet nectar and can drain your feeders overnight. One strategy to keep bats out is to find bee covers for your feeder ports. The bat tongue is much larger and cannot get through the bee covers. Then again, maybe you want to feed the bats also, they eat huge amounts of insects every night, however, that's another story.
Red is very attractive to hummingbirds, so your feeder should have some red in it. Please do not use red food coloring in your homemade food. To color a sugar mixture, find a bird friendly coloring at your local birding store.
Keeping desirable flowers in your garden near the feeder is also helpful in getting those little guys to frequent your feeders. Flowering plants like Columbine, Begonias and Holly Hocks, as well as Fuchsias, Coral Bells and Lantana will definitely increase your chances. Impatiens, Penstemen, and Petunias along with Geraniums and Flowering Tobacco are also favorites of hummingbirds. There are many other types of flowers hummingbirds will frequent.
Be careful putting multiple feeders too close together! Hummingbirds are very territorial and will defend their "turf", sometimes to the death. Another safety tip is to keep your feeders several feet away from windows and dense cover, like large bushes. If you are having problems with hummingbirds (or any other kind) running into your windows, take a look from their perspective and see if you can see a reflection of the sky, or another window on the other side of the house that looks like a passageway. Large bushes can hide predators, like your neighbors cat, that may try and attack the birds.
The best time to start putting out feeders is when the weather starts to warm up. Yes, this is a little vague, but hey, these guys aren't on a schedule. Since they are migratory birds, you will have a good chance of getting them to hang around if you get your food out early, while they are migrating through the area.
I hope you are able to enjoy this little wonders for a long time to come, they truly are wonderous birds. Author Resource:- Ty Thomas is a birding enthusiast, owner, and author of the site Bird Feeding Successwhere you can find more Bird Feeding Articles, tips, and techniques on creating a bird sanctuary in your backyard.
http://www.articlefriendly.com/articledetail.php?artid=5715&catid=96
What is the hummingbird feeder for? Most people don't realize that the main food of the hummingbird is insects, but they need the sugar rich nectar to provide them the energy to search for the insects, that is where we humans come in. Hummingbird feeders are usually filled with a mixture of 4 parts water to one part sugar. This mixture should be boiled to ensure all impurities are killed. Any excess can be refrigerated until needed. The mixture should be changed at least once a week and more frequently in very warm weather. In addition to changing the nectar, the feeder should be cleaned regularly. Since this is a sugar mixture, you are sure to attract many other nuisances you may not want to feed, such as bees, ants, and even bats.
All sugars are not created equal, at least that is what the hummingbirds say. When given the choice, hummingbirds prefer artificial nectar made from cane sugar rather than beet sugars. If you are not attracting them, check and make sure the sugar you are using is cane.
Ever have a problem with your feeder being full at night when you go to bed, but empty in the morning? You may think you have a sneaky neighbor taking all your nectar, but it is most likely due to bats. Bats also love the sweet nectar and can drain your feeders overnight. One strategy to keep bats out is to find bee covers for your feeder ports. The bat tongue is much larger and cannot get through the bee covers. Then again, maybe you want to feed the bats also, they eat huge amounts of insects every night, however, that's another story.
Red is very attractive to hummingbirds, so your feeder should have some red in it. Please do not use red food coloring in your homemade food. To color a sugar mixture, find a bird friendly coloring at your local birding store.
Keeping desirable flowers in your garden near the feeder is also helpful in getting those little guys to frequent your feeders. Flowering plants like Columbine, Begonias and Holly Hocks, as well as Fuchsias, Coral Bells and Lantana will definitely increase your chances. Impatiens, Penstemen, and Petunias along with Geraniums and Flowering Tobacco are also favorites of hummingbirds. There are many other types of flowers hummingbirds will frequent.
Be careful putting multiple feeders too close together! Hummingbirds are very territorial and will defend their "turf", sometimes to the death. Another safety tip is to keep your feeders several feet away from windows and dense cover, like large bushes. If you are having problems with hummingbirds (or any other kind) running into your windows, take a look from their perspective and see if you can see a reflection of the sky, or another window on the other side of the house that looks like a passageway. Large bushes can hide predators, like your neighbors cat, that may try and attack the birds.
The best time to start putting out feeders is when the weather starts to warm up. Yes, this is a little vague, but hey, these guys aren't on a schedule. Since they are migratory birds, you will have a good chance of getting them to hang around if you get your food out early, while they are migrating through the area.
I hope you are able to enjoy this little wonders for a long time to come, they truly are wonderous birds. Author Resource:- Ty Thomas is a birding enthusiast, owner, and author of the site Bird Feeding Successwhere you can find more Bird Feeding Articles, tips, and techniques on creating a bird sanctuary in your backyard.
http://www.articlefriendly.com/articledetail.php?artid=5715&catid=96
Two Campgrounds Great for Bird Watching, Hiking and Beautiful Views
Dedicated to finding campgrounds that have beautiful views of natural settings, I recommend Bog Springs and Lakeview campgrounds located near Tucson, Arizona in Coronado National Forest for their beautiful views of the unique terrain of southeastern Arizona. They're also great for bird watching and hiking.
Bog Springs Campground
Bog Springs is the only campground in Madera Canyon - a world-class birding area with over 200 species of birds. Hawks, Quail, Doves, Road Runners, Owls, Woodpeckers, Hummingbirds, Jays, Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Thrashers, White-breasted Nuthatches, Bridled Titmice, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and many more bird species can all be seen in the Madera Canyon area. The campground is at an elevation of 5,200 feet and is small (only 13 camp sites). Once the birds arrive in early spring, it fills up fast. Weekdays are best for finding a camp site during the peak bird watching season.
It's also a great base camp for hiking, biking and stargazing. Three trails leave from the campground to nearby springs and the campground is just a short walk away from Madera Picnic Area, where there is access to a nature trail. Within driving distance are over 65 miles of Forest trails that lead into the Mt. Wrightson Wilderness, a mountain bike ride around spectacular Elephant Head Rock, and three scenic drives, one of which visits the Smithsonian's Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory.
If you're not a bird watcher and don't like to hike, Bog Springs is still a great campground to visit with beautiful views of the Santa Rita Mountains and surrounding desert/arid landscape. The campground is open all year. We visited the campground in Late November (not many birds that time of year). The weather and scenery were gorgeous. Most of the camp sites had beautiful views of the mountains and desert landscape. There were only 2 other campers in the campground at the time. Most of the camp sites are shaded and well spaced with boulders, trees and other vegetation providing good separation between sites. Some of the sites are terraced which also provides separation. The campground has a rustic feel but is very easy to get to with paved roads almost all the way to the entrance.
Getting to the campground is easy. From Tuscon, go toward Green Valley (about 25 miles). Off Interstate 19, take the Continental Road/Madera Canyon Exit. Turn east and follow the Madera Canyon signs 12.5 miles to the campground.
For more information on this campground, call the District National Forest office at 520-281-2296.
Lakeview Campground
Lakeview campground is located on a hill overlooking Parker Canyon Lake. Many of the campsites are well shaded and are spread among a stand of oaks and junipers. Although the campground is just a short walk to the lakeshore, only the tent sites have views of the beautiful clear waters of Parker Canyon Lake.
Lakeview Campground is more remote and less accessible than other campgrounds which is a plus if you don't like crowds. There is a five mile trail hugging the shoreline that leads around Parker Canyon Lake. The lake is great for watching ducks and other waterfowl as well as bald eagles, osprey and even hummingbirds in season. The trail has several viewing areas with benches and interpretive signs.
Parker Canyon Lake is also great for fishing. It offers both cold and warm water species, including stocked rainbow trout and resident bass, sunfish, and catfish. There is a fishing pier and a paved boat ramp at the lake. There is also a small concessionaire-operated store at the lakeshore for boating, fishing and other supplies.
Getting there from Tucson isn't quite as easy as Bog Springs. A good bit of the access roads are not paved. From Tucson, travel east on Interstate 10 to State Route 83 (exit 281) and turn south 50 miles through Sonoita to Parker Canyon Lake.
http://www.articlefriendly.com/articledetail.php?artid=6886&catid=285
Bog Springs Campground
Bog Springs is the only campground in Madera Canyon - a world-class birding area with over 200 species of birds. Hawks, Quail, Doves, Road Runners, Owls, Woodpeckers, Hummingbirds, Jays, Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Thrashers, White-breasted Nuthatches, Bridled Titmice, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and many more bird species can all be seen in the Madera Canyon area. The campground is at an elevation of 5,200 feet and is small (only 13 camp sites). Once the birds arrive in early spring, it fills up fast. Weekdays are best for finding a camp site during the peak bird watching season.
It's also a great base camp for hiking, biking and stargazing. Three trails leave from the campground to nearby springs and the campground is just a short walk away from Madera Picnic Area, where there is access to a nature trail. Within driving distance are over 65 miles of Forest trails that lead into the Mt. Wrightson Wilderness, a mountain bike ride around spectacular Elephant Head Rock, and three scenic drives, one of which visits the Smithsonian's Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory.
If you're not a bird watcher and don't like to hike, Bog Springs is still a great campground to visit with beautiful views of the Santa Rita Mountains and surrounding desert/arid landscape. The campground is open all year. We visited the campground in Late November (not many birds that time of year). The weather and scenery were gorgeous. Most of the camp sites had beautiful views of the mountains and desert landscape. There were only 2 other campers in the campground at the time. Most of the camp sites are shaded and well spaced with boulders, trees and other vegetation providing good separation between sites. Some of the sites are terraced which also provides separation. The campground has a rustic feel but is very easy to get to with paved roads almost all the way to the entrance.
Getting to the campground is easy. From Tuscon, go toward Green Valley (about 25 miles). Off Interstate 19, take the Continental Road/Madera Canyon Exit. Turn east and follow the Madera Canyon signs 12.5 miles to the campground.
For more information on this campground, call the District National Forest office at 520-281-2296.
Lakeview Campground
Lakeview campground is located on a hill overlooking Parker Canyon Lake. Many of the campsites are well shaded and are spread among a stand of oaks and junipers. Although the campground is just a short walk to the lakeshore, only the tent sites have views of the beautiful clear waters of Parker Canyon Lake.
Lakeview Campground is more remote and less accessible than other campgrounds which is a plus if you don't like crowds. There is a five mile trail hugging the shoreline that leads around Parker Canyon Lake. The lake is great for watching ducks and other waterfowl as well as bald eagles, osprey and even hummingbirds in season. The trail has several viewing areas with benches and interpretive signs.
Parker Canyon Lake is also great for fishing. It offers both cold and warm water species, including stocked rainbow trout and resident bass, sunfish, and catfish. There is a fishing pier and a paved boat ramp at the lake. There is also a small concessionaire-operated store at the lakeshore for boating, fishing and other supplies.
Getting there from Tucson isn't quite as easy as Bog Springs. A good bit of the access roads are not paved. From Tucson, travel east on Interstate 10 to State Route 83 (exit 281) and turn south 50 miles through Sonoita to Parker Canyon Lake.
http://www.articlefriendly.com/articledetail.php?artid=6886&catid=285
Sunday, February 25, 2007
The Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival In Utah
Coming up on its eighth year, the Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival is good get away for birders. Of course, a chance to visit Salt Lake City isn’t so bad either.
Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival
The Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival is both a mouthful and a great event. Close to Salt Lake City, but actually centered in Farmington, Utah, the festival is put on by the Davis County Tourism agency and typically runs for five days in the last two weeks of May each year.
As with many birding festivals, the Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival offers workshops for kids and adults. Workshops include everything from building bird houses, birding for kids, and lectures on a variety of bird species with physical birds present.
Of course, field trips are the key to any bird watching festival and Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival doesn’t disappoint. Traditional sighting trips can be taken on land. The added bonus, however, is the fact birders can rent kayaks to float about the lake looking for new life birds.
Common Sightings
While each year will present variations, a birder can expect to see a variety of bird species at Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival. A variety of Heron, Pelican, Grebe and Cormorant species are plentiful. White-faced Ibis and Snowy Egrets are also often seen as are a variety of geese and ducks. A variety of falcons and hawks are surprisingly plentiful, but there is one prize sure to make it on you life list.
The rare American Bald Eagle lives in the area. Due to low population numbers, there is no guarantee you’ll see one, but at least four sightings occurred at the 2004 festival.
Whether you attend for the chance to see a bald eagle or the chance to meet other enthusiasts, the Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival is a good time.
By: Nomad Rick
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Rick Chapo is with www.nomadjournals.com/bird_watchers.cfm - makers of writing journals. Bird watching journals are great bird watching gifts for bird watching tours and vacations. Visit www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more bird watching articles.
Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival
The Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival is both a mouthful and a great event. Close to Salt Lake City, but actually centered in Farmington, Utah, the festival is put on by the Davis County Tourism agency and typically runs for five days in the last two weeks of May each year.
As with many birding festivals, the Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival offers workshops for kids and adults. Workshops include everything from building bird houses, birding for kids, and lectures on a variety of bird species with physical birds present.
Of course, field trips are the key to any bird watching festival and Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival doesn’t disappoint. Traditional sighting trips can be taken on land. The added bonus, however, is the fact birders can rent kayaks to float about the lake looking for new life birds.
Common Sightings
While each year will present variations, a birder can expect to see a variety of bird species at Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival. A variety of Heron, Pelican, Grebe and Cormorant species are plentiful. White-faced Ibis and Snowy Egrets are also often seen as are a variety of geese and ducks. A variety of falcons and hawks are surprisingly plentiful, but there is one prize sure to make it on you life list.
The rare American Bald Eagle lives in the area. Due to low population numbers, there is no guarantee you’ll see one, but at least four sightings occurred at the 2004 festival.
Whether you attend for the chance to see a bald eagle or the chance to meet other enthusiasts, the Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival is a good time.
By: Nomad Rick
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Rick Chapo is with www.nomadjournals.com/bird_watchers.cfm - makers of writing journals. Bird watching journals are great bird watching gifts for bird watching tours and vacations. Visit www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more bird watching articles.
Western Kingbird
Western kingbird Tyrannus verticalis
Previously The Western Kingbird was called "The Arkansas Kingbird."
The adult Western Kingbird stands about seven inches tall as an adult and has the largest population of North American yellow-bellied kingbirds. This bird has a big pale gray head and a large bill. Their tail is not forked and the outside tail feathers are ivory. Around its eye is a dark colored eyeliner, a yellow breast and its throat and upper part of its chest are dull colored. On the top of its head is a small red mark and a black tail. Both the male and female Western Kingfisher have similar colored plumage while the young birds have duller colored plumage.
The bird prefers open habitats of open country around ranches, farms, areas next to flowing water, grasslands, desert scrub, pastures, and savannahs always with trees, or shrubs. If nature doesn't provide their preferred habitat they will inhabit tall man-made structures in villages. Bird watchers often see this bird sitting on fences and posts, tall weeds, bare branches of a tree or low wires from which they fly out to capture insects. From these different perches the bird flies out or drops to the ground to catch insect prey. Almost half of the nests were on man-made structures, especially telephone poles. In the city of Houston they nest at or near electric power substations. Because Western Kingbirds often nest near and forage in cultivated lands, pesticides becomes a possible threat to their lives.
Western Kingbirds nest throughout all parts of Texas except in the far eastern portion of the state. When the Western Kingbird stays in Oklahoma it is in the summer months only. It spends most of the winter months in Florida and Mexico to Southwest Costa Rica. The Western Kingbird breeds in Western North America from Canada south to Mexico.
The first Western Kingbirds in fall normally appear in September or October and the last ones are seen in November and some in December Courting- The male when courting darts erratically into the air wavering, calling and beating its feathers.
The birds build their open cup shaped nest in the middle of a bush or cottonwood, oak, sycamore or willow tree about five to forty feet above the ground on a horizontal branch. Also they will build a nest of weeds, twigs and string on a utility pole, water tower or barn and line the nest with wool, cotton, hair or fine feathers.
After mating the female lays between three and five creamy white , pinkish, marked with browns, gray, lavender spots, colored eggs between the months of April and July about one inch long. She sits on the eggs for about three weeks and the young birds fledge about three weeks later. Sometimes more than one pair of birds will build their nest in the same location making them somewhat social. When birds like a hawk, crow or raven flies to close to the nest the Western Kingbird will attack these larger birds, especially hawks.
Their diet consists mainly of insects and supplemented with fruit like berries. Often they will sway forward or backward on a wire or tall weed to catch insects in midair. The voice of the Western Kingbird is a sharp call.
Because of deforestation the bird received benefits like more insects available making the bird's clutches bigger and the young birds feed more often and grow bigger, quicker. . The Western Kingbird is similar to Cassin's Kingbird, Tropical and Couch's Kingbirds.
Before man migrated to Texas the Western Kingbird's range was limited before trees and bushes were planted. Earlier the bird only inhabited the western part of the state's Panhandle, southern plains, and the mountains.
Then man planted trees on the plains, erected power lines, telephone poles, and other structures causing the Western Kingbird's population to increase throughout most of its Texas range,
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/birding/117495/2
Previously The Western Kingbird was called "The Arkansas Kingbird."
The adult Western Kingbird stands about seven inches tall as an adult and has the largest population of North American yellow-bellied kingbirds. This bird has a big pale gray head and a large bill. Their tail is not forked and the outside tail feathers are ivory. Around its eye is a dark colored eyeliner, a yellow breast and its throat and upper part of its chest are dull colored. On the top of its head is a small red mark and a black tail. Both the male and female Western Kingfisher have similar colored plumage while the young birds have duller colored plumage.
The bird prefers open habitats of open country around ranches, farms, areas next to flowing water, grasslands, desert scrub, pastures, and savannahs always with trees, or shrubs. If nature doesn't provide their preferred habitat they will inhabit tall man-made structures in villages. Bird watchers often see this bird sitting on fences and posts, tall weeds, bare branches of a tree or low wires from which they fly out to capture insects. From these different perches the bird flies out or drops to the ground to catch insect prey. Almost half of the nests were on man-made structures, especially telephone poles. In the city of Houston they nest at or near electric power substations. Because Western Kingbirds often nest near and forage in cultivated lands, pesticides becomes a possible threat to their lives.
Western Kingbirds nest throughout all parts of Texas except in the far eastern portion of the state. When the Western Kingbird stays in Oklahoma it is in the summer months only. It spends most of the winter months in Florida and Mexico to Southwest Costa Rica. The Western Kingbird breeds in Western North America from Canada south to Mexico.
The first Western Kingbirds in fall normally appear in September or October and the last ones are seen in November and some in December Courting- The male when courting darts erratically into the air wavering, calling and beating its feathers.
The birds build their open cup shaped nest in the middle of a bush or cottonwood, oak, sycamore or willow tree about five to forty feet above the ground on a horizontal branch. Also they will build a nest of weeds, twigs and string on a utility pole, water tower or barn and line the nest with wool, cotton, hair or fine feathers.
After mating the female lays between three and five creamy white , pinkish, marked with browns, gray, lavender spots, colored eggs between the months of April and July about one inch long. She sits on the eggs for about three weeks and the young birds fledge about three weeks later. Sometimes more than one pair of birds will build their nest in the same location making them somewhat social. When birds like a hawk, crow or raven flies to close to the nest the Western Kingbird will attack these larger birds, especially hawks.
Their diet consists mainly of insects and supplemented with fruit like berries. Often they will sway forward or backward on a wire or tall weed to catch insects in midair. The voice of the Western Kingbird is a sharp call.
Because of deforestation the bird received benefits like more insects available making the bird's clutches bigger and the young birds feed more often and grow bigger, quicker. . The Western Kingbird is similar to Cassin's Kingbird, Tropical and Couch's Kingbirds.
Before man migrated to Texas the Western Kingbird's range was limited before trees and bushes were planted. Earlier the bird only inhabited the western part of the state's Panhandle, southern plains, and the mountains.
Then man planted trees on the plains, erected power lines, telephone poles, and other structures causing the Western Kingbird's population to increase throughout most of its Texas range,
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/birding/117495/2
Feeders for window birding
Posted by Rosemary Drisdelle
The easiest place to watch birds is through your windows. Place good birdfeeders in good places and then watch the show.
The best places to watch the birds are not always the easiest places to watch birds, and it would be hard to find an easier place than right outside your own window. For completely effortless bird watching - except for the work of turning your head - place birdfeeders strategically outside windows where you tend to spend a lot of time. My feeders are outside my office window and outside the window above the kitchen sink, two of my well-worn places. In the summer, I also put a hummingbird feeder on my front deck near my honeysuckle and often get a visit from a Ruby-throated Hummingbird if I sit quite still. (Read about hummingbird feeders in my article Hummingbirds are Migrating.)
If you've got the perfect window, but no perfect place to put the feeder outside, get one of the ones with suction cups that you can stick right on the windowpane. (Consider, though, where it will land if it falls!) Ideally, feeders will also be where you can reach them easily to fill them. If you get a lot of snow in winter, you won't want to be plunging through drifts to fill the feeder. Likewise, high in the branches of a tree is not too practical unless you have some easy way to lower the feeder.
The feeder outside my office has a couple of hooks; in winter, I usually hang a suet feeder and a tower with several seed compartments. I regularly use a songbird mix in two compartments, and niger seed in the third. In the spring, I take the suet in and hang a basket of wax begonias. And for a while, I switch to two seed compartments of niger seed in preparation for the crowds of Goldfinches and Purple Finches I know are coming.
Most days, there's enough activity at my feeders to keep me distracted. This morning the birds are arriving one by one: an American Starling with a startlingly yellow spring beak, a Dark-eyed Junco, a Black-capped Chickadee, and an American Goldfinch.
http://birds.suite101.com/blog.cfm/1456
The easiest place to watch birds is through your windows. Place good birdfeeders in good places and then watch the show.
The best places to watch the birds are not always the easiest places to watch birds, and it would be hard to find an easier place than right outside your own window. For completely effortless bird watching - except for the work of turning your head - place birdfeeders strategically outside windows where you tend to spend a lot of time. My feeders are outside my office window and outside the window above the kitchen sink, two of my well-worn places. In the summer, I also put a hummingbird feeder on my front deck near my honeysuckle and often get a visit from a Ruby-throated Hummingbird if I sit quite still. (Read about hummingbird feeders in my article Hummingbirds are Migrating.)
If you've got the perfect window, but no perfect place to put the feeder outside, get one of the ones with suction cups that you can stick right on the windowpane. (Consider, though, where it will land if it falls!) Ideally, feeders will also be where you can reach them easily to fill them. If you get a lot of snow in winter, you won't want to be plunging through drifts to fill the feeder. Likewise, high in the branches of a tree is not too practical unless you have some easy way to lower the feeder.
The feeder outside my office has a couple of hooks; in winter, I usually hang a suet feeder and a tower with several seed compartments. I regularly use a songbird mix in two compartments, and niger seed in the third. In the spring, I take the suet in and hang a basket of wax begonias. And for a while, I switch to two seed compartments of niger seed in preparation for the crowds of Goldfinches and Purple Finches I know are coming.
Most days, there's enough activity at my feeders to keep me distracted. This morning the birds are arriving one by one: an American Starling with a startlingly yellow spring beak, a Dark-eyed Junco, a Black-capped Chickadee, and an American Goldfinch.
http://birds.suite101.com/blog.cfm/1456
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Bird Watching Presents � Christmas Gift Ideas
Bird watchers are rabid about bird watching, and rightfully so. If you are looking for Christmas gift ideas for bird watching presents, here are a few keepers.
Bird Watching Presents
As with practically anything in our modern society, there are all kinds of gadgets and unique gifts that make great Christmas gift ideas for bird watching presents.
1. Electronic Bird Identifier � The Electronic Bird Finder is a device that provides you with the ability to recognize bird sounds and appearances through a comparison with a database in the device. Bird appearances are shown on the device and an ear plug lets you listen to bird calls until you match what you are hearing in the wild with a specific bird in the database. About the size of a pager, the device comes in an easy to carry pouch and is built to take a pounding. You can expect to pay $25 to $50. Just search for "electronic bird finder" on the web to find cost options. .
2. Bird Watcher's Digest � Bird Watcher's Digest is "the" magazine for bird watchers. Great for beginners and avid birding fanatics, the magazine covers unique bird watching locations, birding tips and reviews of Big Day bird watching events to mention just a few items. A one-year subscription will set you back a whopping $19.95, money well spent when you see your friend or loved one hunkered down on the couch and reading away.
3. Trek Pod � This handy device is so cool it should be illegal. The Trek Pod is a multi-function device that acts as a hiking staff while you cruise around looking for optimal bird watching spots. Once you find the perfect location, the staff converts to a tripod you can mount binoculars, cameras and scopes onto. Oh, WHY didn't I think of this?! You can expect to pay $135 for the Trek Pod.
4. Nomad Bird Watching Journals � A little self-promotion. Nomad Bird Watching Journals are great gifts for bird watching enthusiast. Whether they enjoy bird watching tours, backyard birding or bird watching vacations, these journals let bird watchers keep track of sightings, conditions, locations, people met and impressions of the birding experience. A great Christmas gift, you can see the journal by clicking the link in the byline of this article and expect to pay $25 for the journal with case.
Bird watching is sweeping the world. Now you know what to buy bird watching enthusiasts for the holidays.
Source: http://www.a1articles.com
Bird Watching Presents
As with practically anything in our modern society, there are all kinds of gadgets and unique gifts that make great Christmas gift ideas for bird watching presents.
1. Electronic Bird Identifier � The Electronic Bird Finder is a device that provides you with the ability to recognize bird sounds and appearances through a comparison with a database in the device. Bird appearances are shown on the device and an ear plug lets you listen to bird calls until you match what you are hearing in the wild with a specific bird in the database. About the size of a pager, the device comes in an easy to carry pouch and is built to take a pounding. You can expect to pay $25 to $50. Just search for "electronic bird finder" on the web to find cost options. .
2. Bird Watcher's Digest � Bird Watcher's Digest is "the" magazine for bird watchers. Great for beginners and avid birding fanatics, the magazine covers unique bird watching locations, birding tips and reviews of Big Day bird watching events to mention just a few items. A one-year subscription will set you back a whopping $19.95, money well spent when you see your friend or loved one hunkered down on the couch and reading away.
3. Trek Pod � This handy device is so cool it should be illegal. The Trek Pod is a multi-function device that acts as a hiking staff while you cruise around looking for optimal bird watching spots. Once you find the perfect location, the staff converts to a tripod you can mount binoculars, cameras and scopes onto. Oh, WHY didn't I think of this?! You can expect to pay $135 for the Trek Pod.
4. Nomad Bird Watching Journals � A little self-promotion. Nomad Bird Watching Journals are great gifts for bird watching enthusiast. Whether they enjoy bird watching tours, backyard birding or bird watching vacations, these journals let bird watchers keep track of sightings, conditions, locations, people met and impressions of the birding experience. A great Christmas gift, you can see the journal by clicking the link in the byline of this article and expect to pay $25 for the journal with case.
Bird watching is sweeping the world. Now you know what to buy bird watching enthusiasts for the holidays.
Source: http://www.a1articles.com
Birding � Where to Find the Birds
Whether you are traveling to a far off land or just walking around your neighborhood, you can find prime bird watching spots by following a few general rules. Birds tend to be creatures of habit [or habitat] much like humans. Specifically, certain birds always seem to show up in the same types of places. This gives you a little insight to when and where you can catch a view of them.
Alas, wooded areas are harder and harder to find as civilization spreads its winds in community developments. Urban sprawl has definitely taken a bit out of natural wooded areas. If you are fortunate enough to still live near some, you can find a bevy of sightings along the border of such areas. Obviously, bird species are different in every part of the country, but you can expect to see at least some of the following species ? flycatchers, warblers, owls and the occasional hawk.
If you live along the coast of the ocean, you probably already know that sightings are as easy as heading to the beach. Since you need to go early for the best sightings, you get the extra advantage of finding a prime parking spot during the busy summer months. Depending on the habitat along your coast, you can expect to see some form of sandpipers, plovers and many other shorebirds. If you are lucky, herons and egrets may be in your area as well.
If you live near marshes or flooded areas, you are probably sick of mosquitoes and the like. The good news is you are in prime birding land. Where there are bugs, there are birds galore. You can expect to see species such as bitterns, blackbirds, wrens, sparrows, flycatchers and warblers. Just make sure you take the bug repellant with you!
As an aside, there are some man made areas that are excellent for birding. If you live near a dam, winter viewing can be excellent. For non-migratory birds, the flowing water around dams is an attraction.
Finally, there is one thing you can do when all else fails. Just get out there and start looking around.
http://www.a1articles.com
Alas, wooded areas are harder and harder to find as civilization spreads its winds in community developments. Urban sprawl has definitely taken a bit out of natural wooded areas. If you are fortunate enough to still live near some, you can find a bevy of sightings along the border of such areas. Obviously, bird species are different in every part of the country, but you can expect to see at least some of the following species ? flycatchers, warblers, owls and the occasional hawk.
If you live along the coast of the ocean, you probably already know that sightings are as easy as heading to the beach. Since you need to go early for the best sightings, you get the extra advantage of finding a prime parking spot during the busy summer months. Depending on the habitat along your coast, you can expect to see some form of sandpipers, plovers and many other shorebirds. If you are lucky, herons and egrets may be in your area as well.
If you live near marshes or flooded areas, you are probably sick of mosquitoes and the like. The good news is you are in prime birding land. Where there are bugs, there are birds galore. You can expect to see species such as bitterns, blackbirds, wrens, sparrows, flycatchers and warblers. Just make sure you take the bug repellant with you!
As an aside, there are some man made areas that are excellent for birding. If you live near a dam, winter viewing can be excellent. For non-migratory birds, the flowing water around dams is an attraction.
Finally, there is one thing you can do when all else fails. Just get out there and start looking around.
http://www.a1articles.com
Thursday, February 22, 2007
The thrills of bird watching from a boat
Building and decorating a bird house is something that parents and kids can do together. It is relatively cheap and can provide hours of entertainment even after the project is completed.
Finches fly in a more exaggerated roller coaster pattern while woodpeckers fly in a more moderate rise and fall pattern. Then there are birds like Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, and Northern Goshawks that make several wing flaps which are followed by a long glide, whereas a Red Tailed Hawk can usually be seen soaring.
You're now armed with the education you really should have to make an educated buying decision!
Even if you don't need to break your cage all the way down, it's handy to be able to pull a portion of the cage off to clean it without having to get out the tools. Good quality cages literally snap in & out of place without the need for any tools at all!
With so many people hoping to see a bird they�ve never seen before, it�s not surprising to see a clamoring for the latest tips and tools to get the job done.
The thrills of bird watching from a boat
Bird watching is an activity that can keep a person thrilled to no limits. In fact, the only limit to this nature-loving pastime is a person�s endurance, patience and of course, vision. The only limit to enjoying this pastime is a person�s imagination.
There are plenty of locations where one can go bird watching. Anyone can go birding right in his garden. Some people particularly in New York visit the various parks famous for bird watching activities.
Wild birds are actually everywhere because they travel from place to place depending on the season. However, birds flock in areas with a good environment and which is not polluted.
A person who is just starting with this hobby can consult a bird watching field guide to make sure he knows a little about birds and how to identify them. Being able to know what you are looking for can be twice the fun compared to being ignorant of what literally lies on the horizon.
There are people who believe that the best place to go bird watching is near a river. They also agree that bird watching from a boat can give one the pleasure of going boating and watching birds. However, bird watching from a boat should be done during summer because this is the time when the birds flock along the rivers.
Practice Before You Go. A key to viewing wildlife, and especially birds, is to have the ability to very quickly put your binoculars on target.
If you desire the look of antiques without the price tag, reproductions are also available. Replica antique bird cages often maintain the look and style of the original, but at a fraction of the cost.
Perhaps many people think that owning a bird is reserved for the wild at heart or certainly for those living in a tropical climate.
Just where to hang the feeders? In general, it is good to hang these feeders in any part of the garden where there is no direct exposure to sunlight and where the wind will not be able to shake the feeder.
And here's why; when you decide to squeeze a cage into a specific place in your house this almost always takes away from the well-being of your bird!
Bird watching from a boat can give a person the advantage of being able to see and then hear the birds chirping without disturbing them. Some even get their best birds sightings when on a boat because of the serenity of the waters. Remember that birding means watching or observing wild birds and not those that are in cages so keep an eye on the areas where they will be flying free.
Migrating wild birds often cross rivers so birding while on a boat can give a person the best vantage point. Some people would be amazed to know that there can be at least a hundred species of birds in his area alone. Being aware of what birds flock along the river can make birding from a boat more fulfilling.
Bird watching can be a fun and fulfilling hobby that can be pursued alone or in the company of friends or family. It can be bonding time for a father and son or even for the whole family. Anyone can have fun bird watching without spending too much money.
A person who wants to get the most of his bird watching hobby should read about birds, their natural habitats and the techniques of how to identify certain bird species. Certainly, these things will not cost a person much except of course, in terms of his time and effort.
Okay, most people are not informed enough to make a good decision when buying a bird cage. That's really not good, because if you're buying a good quality cage it isn't going to be cheap, and if you are paying a decent amount of money, you need to get the best product you can get for that money!
Do not buy a generic bird cage, it will most likely come without a manual, without a tech support phone number, and without a decent warranty.
Department stores and discount stores sometimes offer sales on bird cages. Check the advertising section of your local newspaper.
There isn�t a more important purchase to be made for your new bird, then your bird�s cage. Well-made cages of high quality materials are expensive but are often safer and will be worth it over the life span of your bird.
If you are a new bird watcher, we urge you to joing a bird watching forum.
Just like people, birds get hot and thirsty. Especially during the blistering summer months, your favorite flying friends may be roasting in their feathers. Help out your local birds and provide them with a shady spot to splash, play, bathe, and drink--a bird bath!
Finches fly in a more exaggerated roller coaster pattern while woodpeckers fly in a more moderate rise and fall pattern. Then there are birds like Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, and Northern Goshawks that make several wing flaps which are followed by a long glide, whereas a Red Tailed Hawk can usually be seen soaring.
You're now armed with the education you really should have to make an educated buying decision!
Even if you don't need to break your cage all the way down, it's handy to be able to pull a portion of the cage off to clean it without having to get out the tools. Good quality cages literally snap in & out of place without the need for any tools at all!
With so many people hoping to see a bird they�ve never seen before, it�s not surprising to see a clamoring for the latest tips and tools to get the job done.
The thrills of bird watching from a boat
Bird watching is an activity that can keep a person thrilled to no limits. In fact, the only limit to this nature-loving pastime is a person�s endurance, patience and of course, vision. The only limit to enjoying this pastime is a person�s imagination.
There are plenty of locations where one can go bird watching. Anyone can go birding right in his garden. Some people particularly in New York visit the various parks famous for bird watching activities.
Wild birds are actually everywhere because they travel from place to place depending on the season. However, birds flock in areas with a good environment and which is not polluted.
A person who is just starting with this hobby can consult a bird watching field guide to make sure he knows a little about birds and how to identify them. Being able to know what you are looking for can be twice the fun compared to being ignorant of what literally lies on the horizon.
There are people who believe that the best place to go bird watching is near a river. They also agree that bird watching from a boat can give one the pleasure of going boating and watching birds. However, bird watching from a boat should be done during summer because this is the time when the birds flock along the rivers.
Practice Before You Go. A key to viewing wildlife, and especially birds, is to have the ability to very quickly put your binoculars on target.
If you desire the look of antiques without the price tag, reproductions are also available. Replica antique bird cages often maintain the look and style of the original, but at a fraction of the cost.
Perhaps many people think that owning a bird is reserved for the wild at heart or certainly for those living in a tropical climate.
Just where to hang the feeders? In general, it is good to hang these feeders in any part of the garden where there is no direct exposure to sunlight and where the wind will not be able to shake the feeder.
And here's why; when you decide to squeeze a cage into a specific place in your house this almost always takes away from the well-being of your bird!
Bird watching from a boat can give a person the advantage of being able to see and then hear the birds chirping without disturbing them. Some even get their best birds sightings when on a boat because of the serenity of the waters. Remember that birding means watching or observing wild birds and not those that are in cages so keep an eye on the areas where they will be flying free.
Migrating wild birds often cross rivers so birding while on a boat can give a person the best vantage point. Some people would be amazed to know that there can be at least a hundred species of birds in his area alone. Being aware of what birds flock along the river can make birding from a boat more fulfilling.
Bird watching can be a fun and fulfilling hobby that can be pursued alone or in the company of friends or family. It can be bonding time for a father and son or even for the whole family. Anyone can have fun bird watching without spending too much money.
A person who wants to get the most of his bird watching hobby should read about birds, their natural habitats and the techniques of how to identify certain bird species. Certainly, these things will not cost a person much except of course, in terms of his time and effort.
Okay, most people are not informed enough to make a good decision when buying a bird cage. That's really not good, because if you're buying a good quality cage it isn't going to be cheap, and if you are paying a decent amount of money, you need to get the best product you can get for that money!
Do not buy a generic bird cage, it will most likely come without a manual, without a tech support phone number, and without a decent warranty.
Department stores and discount stores sometimes offer sales on bird cages. Check the advertising section of your local newspaper.
There isn�t a more important purchase to be made for your new bird, then your bird�s cage. Well-made cages of high quality materials are expensive but are often safer and will be worth it over the life span of your bird.
If you are a new bird watcher, we urge you to joing a bird watching forum.
Just like people, birds get hot and thirsty. Especially during the blistering summer months, your favorite flying friends may be roasting in their feathers. Help out your local birds and provide them with a shady spot to splash, play, bathe, and drink--a bird bath!
Halloween Bird Watching � The Dark Side
Bird watching is just about the most unobjectionable hobby in the world. With Halloween approaching, however, it is time to discuss the dark, dark, dark side of birding.
Bird watching enthusiasts are always looking for good spots to whip out the binoculars and visually hunt for a new life bird. There are really only two potential downsides to this for bird watchers.
What Are You Looking At?
For backyard birding, one runs the risk of neighbors thinking you are a pervert of some type trying to look in their windows with your binoculars. This can usually be overcome by spreading the word in the neighborhood that you're an avid birder and the binoculars are not pointing at anyone's windows. Really.
If this doesn't work, invite the offended neighbors over to do some watching. They will either grow bored and leave or get hooked. Either way, you'll benefit and no longer have to deal with negative gossip.
Buffy the Bird Watcher
Cemeteries! Not just for demons, vampires and Buffy the Vampire Slayer!
A nasty little secret in the bird watching world is the fact cemeteries are good places to bird watch. Generally, the cemetery is quite, has lots of trees and hunters typically aren't bold enough to have a go at the fowl. In short, a perfect place for birds to congregate and you to watch.
Now, it goes without saying that bird watching in a cemetery requires a certain etiquette. First, the staff at the cemetery may have a "get the hell off the property" policy towards birding enthusiasts. This can quickly be overcome by explaining that uncle/aunt [look at closest grave stone] was an avid bird watcher and you are bringing their equipment in remembrance. A little wailing may help with senior staff, while cigarettes seem to be preferred by staff carrying shovels.
Having dealt with the staff, small mention should be made regarding actual funerals. If a dearly beloved is being interred, do not pursue your birding within site of the event! Doing so could result in serious physical injury, as funeral goers do not seem to react well to a person with binoculars staring in the direction of funeral and writing down things. Keep in mind emotions are justifiably high. This means they can outrun you.
Typically, most will cluck in dismay at the idea of bird watching in a cemetery. You may be doing so now. Ah, but as Halloween approaches and you're dying for a new sighting, you just might start to feel differently.
After all, where else will you be able to finally see Vladious Vampirous in its natural habitat?
Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of writing journals. Bird watching journals are great bird watching gifts for bird watching tours and vacations. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com for more bird watching articles.
Bird watching enthusiasts are always looking for good spots to whip out the binoculars and visually hunt for a new life bird. There are really only two potential downsides to this for bird watchers.
What Are You Looking At?
For backyard birding, one runs the risk of neighbors thinking you are a pervert of some type trying to look in their windows with your binoculars. This can usually be overcome by spreading the word in the neighborhood that you're an avid birder and the binoculars are not pointing at anyone's windows. Really.
If this doesn't work, invite the offended neighbors over to do some watching. They will either grow bored and leave or get hooked. Either way, you'll benefit and no longer have to deal with negative gossip.
Buffy the Bird Watcher
Cemeteries! Not just for demons, vampires and Buffy the Vampire Slayer!
A nasty little secret in the bird watching world is the fact cemeteries are good places to bird watch. Generally, the cemetery is quite, has lots of trees and hunters typically aren't bold enough to have a go at the fowl. In short, a perfect place for birds to congregate and you to watch.
Now, it goes without saying that bird watching in a cemetery requires a certain etiquette. First, the staff at the cemetery may have a "get the hell off the property" policy towards birding enthusiasts. This can quickly be overcome by explaining that uncle/aunt [look at closest grave stone] was an avid bird watcher and you are bringing their equipment in remembrance. A little wailing may help with senior staff, while cigarettes seem to be preferred by staff carrying shovels.
Having dealt with the staff, small mention should be made regarding actual funerals. If a dearly beloved is being interred, do not pursue your birding within site of the event! Doing so could result in serious physical injury, as funeral goers do not seem to react well to a person with binoculars staring in the direction of funeral and writing down things. Keep in mind emotions are justifiably high. This means they can outrun you.
Typically, most will cluck in dismay at the idea of bird watching in a cemetery. You may be doing so now. Ah, but as Halloween approaches and you're dying for a new sighting, you just might start to feel differently.
After all, where else will you be able to finally see Vladious Vampirous in its natural habitat?
Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of writing journals. Bird watching journals are great bird watching gifts for bird watching tours and vacations. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com for more bird watching articles.
Things to Check Before Going Birding
If you enjoy bird watching, sooner or later you are going to be heading out on field trips. While they can be a blast, there are a couple of things to check up on before you head out.
A field trip is pretty much a staple of active birding. You identify a good area by reading up on them in birding magazines. Once you select one, you need to take a couple basic steps to make sure you are going to have a good experience instead of a miserable time.
Did you know that more than a few birders have been killed while on field trips? Okay, it is a small number, but one is too many. The problem? Hunting season! Unfortunately, there are a fairly finite number of areas that are still natural habitats. If there are excellent bird watching spots, they often are within a hunting area. Not always, but it is important to find out before you stroll out into the shooting zone. Make sure to check with local licensing authorities so you avoid becoming a tragic accident. If Dick Cheney could shoot his friend standing next to him, you could be mistaken as a moose.
It is amazing how many people take off on trips without checking the weather. If Monsoon Charlie is barreling in on the day of your trip, take a rain check. Standing in the rain and mud is not fun and you are not going to see much. In fact, the best time to hit your spot is immediately after the storm, so take a day to let the storm play itself out.
It is difficult to hold your binoculars steady while also trying to swat your neck. You need to assume insects are going to be an issue on the trip. You are, after all, in their habitat! The key is to know what type of insect you are most likely to run into. Chiggers are little biters found in tall grass areas. Ticks and mosquitoes should be assumed to be present. Black flies are less frequent, but a pain in the butt. To avoid these problems, tuck you pants in your socks, wear a bandana around your neck and use insect repellent. All Terrain makes natural insect repellent that is good for birding because it does not decay your gear, particularly nylon threading and filaments found in jackets.
Finally, skin cancer is a threat to all of us. Make sure you wear sunscreen on all exposed surfaces. This is particularly true for the back of your neck. A hat is also a wise idea. It keeps your scalp protected and keeps the sun out of your eyes.
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of writing journals for bird watching vacations.
A field trip is pretty much a staple of active birding. You identify a good area by reading up on them in birding magazines. Once you select one, you need to take a couple basic steps to make sure you are going to have a good experience instead of a miserable time.
Did you know that more than a few birders have been killed while on field trips? Okay, it is a small number, but one is too many. The problem? Hunting season! Unfortunately, there are a fairly finite number of areas that are still natural habitats. If there are excellent bird watching spots, they often are within a hunting area. Not always, but it is important to find out before you stroll out into the shooting zone. Make sure to check with local licensing authorities so you avoid becoming a tragic accident. If Dick Cheney could shoot his friend standing next to him, you could be mistaken as a moose.
It is amazing how many people take off on trips without checking the weather. If Monsoon Charlie is barreling in on the day of your trip, take a rain check. Standing in the rain and mud is not fun and you are not going to see much. In fact, the best time to hit your spot is immediately after the storm, so take a day to let the storm play itself out.
It is difficult to hold your binoculars steady while also trying to swat your neck. You need to assume insects are going to be an issue on the trip. You are, after all, in their habitat! The key is to know what type of insect you are most likely to run into. Chiggers are little biters found in tall grass areas. Ticks and mosquitoes should be assumed to be present. Black flies are less frequent, but a pain in the butt. To avoid these problems, tuck you pants in your socks, wear a bandana around your neck and use insect repellent. All Terrain makes natural insect repellent that is good for birding because it does not decay your gear, particularly nylon threading and filaments found in jackets.
Finally, skin cancer is a threat to all of us. Make sure you wear sunscreen on all exposed surfaces. This is particularly true for the back of your neck. A hat is also a wise idea. It keeps your scalp protected and keeps the sun out of your eyes.
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of writing journals for bird watching vacations.
Clothes For Birdwatching in the Tropics
Each year many avid birdwatchers visit tropical countries to see the varied birds. At the same time there are thousands of individuals who visit for vacation and during their visit will engage in a day of birdwatching. Also each year thousands of persons begin the hobby of birdwatching. A common question of all those persons is, what to wear when birdwatching. This article will address what to wear when birdwatching in tropical Caribbean countries.
In tropical countries there is a wide variety of birding habitats and so the type of clothing will, to a certain extent, be influenced by the habitat into which the birder ventures. The beach is a prime attraction for visitors to many countries. Indeed it is said that tourism in the islands is based on sun, sea and sand. The seashore is also good birding habitat for specific species such as sandpipers, plovers, gulls, terns and turnstones. For birdwatching along the sea shore short pants and short sleeved tops are suitable attire .
Species such as Tanagers, Kingbirds, Flycatchers, Hawks, Woodcreepers and Warblers are found along forest edges and so roadside birding is often undertaken in areas where roads run through or along the forest. Short pants and short sleeved tops are also suitable for roadside birding.
If an individual is birdwatching on the beach or along the roadside then sandals can be used. It is advisable when roadside birding however to wear closed shoes as the birder is often attracted off the road edge and into the forest by glimpses of a bird. Very often in order to get a better view of an elusive bird, individuals tend to venture further and further into the forest as they seek that better observation. In forest environments closed shoes (sneakers, boots) are best to prevent your feet from being scratched by thorns or bruised by rocks. Shoes should be of sturdy construction and ankle height to help prevent twisting of ankles.The average hiking boot would therefore be suitable.
When birding in a forest environment it is advised that long pants be worn to provide protection against thorns and insects. Mangrove swamps are home to a wide variety of birds including Herons, Egrets,Iibises, Gallinules, Jacanas, Macaws, Cuckoos and Hawks. Mangrove swamps are therefore an attractive location for birdwatching. Long pants are also recommended for birding in mangroves because insects, particularly mosquitoes are abundant in mangroves.
Most birdwatching in tropical Caribbean countries is done during the early morning and evening hours when the sun is lower on the horizon and the rays are less intense. It is advisable however to carry a hat especially if an all day birdwatching adventure is planned as the sun rises quickly and all-day exposure to the sun can cause sunburn. In some instances the birding may be in forested areas where the overhang of branches and leaves will block much of the sunlight, however a hat can still be carried for protection. It is advisable to carry some type of rain gear such as a lightweight nylon jacket or poncho because although most days start sunny it is possible to have a rain shower during the day, usually around midday.
In choosing clothing one should remember that birds are sensitive to noise and therefore noisy material should be avoided. Fabrics that squeak or rustle will make noise as you move and may scare off the birds you are trying to see. These types of fabrics therefore should not be worn. Birds can distinguish colours and very bright artificial looking colours can also have the effect of scaring away the birds. Muted earth tones such as khaki, olive, brown, gray and green are good choices, as they allow you to blend with the environment.
Most individuals are aware that insect repellant should be used when bird watching in mangrove swamps. Insects, particularly mosquitoes are also found in forests and areas with tall grasses, even in the daytime. Insect repellant should therefore be used when going into these areas. In order to carry all the various items such as hat, poncho, field guide, insect repellant it is worthwhile to have a backpack.
Overall the clothing that you wear should be comfortable, of earth tones and clothes that you do not mind if they get a little dirty.
About the Author
Brian Ramsey operates the web site, Outdoors Trinidad, and is the author of the CD, Discovering the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago.
In tropical countries there is a wide variety of birding habitats and so the type of clothing will, to a certain extent, be influenced by the habitat into which the birder ventures. The beach is a prime attraction for visitors to many countries. Indeed it is said that tourism in the islands is based on sun, sea and sand. The seashore is also good birding habitat for specific species such as sandpipers, plovers, gulls, terns and turnstones. For birdwatching along the sea shore short pants and short sleeved tops are suitable attire .
Species such as Tanagers, Kingbirds, Flycatchers, Hawks, Woodcreepers and Warblers are found along forest edges and so roadside birding is often undertaken in areas where roads run through or along the forest. Short pants and short sleeved tops are also suitable for roadside birding.
If an individual is birdwatching on the beach or along the roadside then sandals can be used. It is advisable when roadside birding however to wear closed shoes as the birder is often attracted off the road edge and into the forest by glimpses of a bird. Very often in order to get a better view of an elusive bird, individuals tend to venture further and further into the forest as they seek that better observation. In forest environments closed shoes (sneakers, boots) are best to prevent your feet from being scratched by thorns or bruised by rocks. Shoes should be of sturdy construction and ankle height to help prevent twisting of ankles.The average hiking boot would therefore be suitable.
When birding in a forest environment it is advised that long pants be worn to provide protection against thorns and insects. Mangrove swamps are home to a wide variety of birds including Herons, Egrets,Iibises, Gallinules, Jacanas, Macaws, Cuckoos and Hawks. Mangrove swamps are therefore an attractive location for birdwatching. Long pants are also recommended for birding in mangroves because insects, particularly mosquitoes are abundant in mangroves.
Most birdwatching in tropical Caribbean countries is done during the early morning and evening hours when the sun is lower on the horizon and the rays are less intense. It is advisable however to carry a hat especially if an all day birdwatching adventure is planned as the sun rises quickly and all-day exposure to the sun can cause sunburn. In some instances the birding may be in forested areas where the overhang of branches and leaves will block much of the sunlight, however a hat can still be carried for protection. It is advisable to carry some type of rain gear such as a lightweight nylon jacket or poncho because although most days start sunny it is possible to have a rain shower during the day, usually around midday.
In choosing clothing one should remember that birds are sensitive to noise and therefore noisy material should be avoided. Fabrics that squeak or rustle will make noise as you move and may scare off the birds you are trying to see. These types of fabrics therefore should not be worn. Birds can distinguish colours and very bright artificial looking colours can also have the effect of scaring away the birds. Muted earth tones such as khaki, olive, brown, gray and green are good choices, as they allow you to blend with the environment.
Most individuals are aware that insect repellant should be used when bird watching in mangrove swamps. Insects, particularly mosquitoes are also found in forests and areas with tall grasses, even in the daytime. Insect repellant should therefore be used when going into these areas. In order to carry all the various items such as hat, poncho, field guide, insect repellant it is worthwhile to have a backpack.
Overall the clothing that you wear should be comfortable, of earth tones and clothes that you do not mind if they get a little dirty.
About the Author
Brian Ramsey operates the web site, Outdoors Trinidad, and is the author of the CD, Discovering the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago.
An Introduction to Ornithology – Bird Watching
We humans are great at giving sophisticated titles to things we enjoy. In fact, here is an introduction to Ornithology, better known as bird watching.
An Introduction to Ornithology – Bird Watching
As with many sophisticated terms ending in “ology”, ornithology is Greek in nature. It means the study of birds. While there are certainly many professional and academic groups focusing on ornithology, it is one of those rare fields where amateurs far out number the pros. About the only other field where this is the case is astronomy.
For amateurs, bird watching is simply the act of…well, watching birds. It can be pursued in exotic foreign lands like the Amazon in South Africa, not the bookstore on your computer. For most, it is a leisurely hobby pursued in areas around where you live. Heck, you can even do it from your backyard.
In modern society, we rarely take the time to really notice what is going on around us. Bird watching is a chance to do just that. If you ever want a hypnotic experience, just sit and watch a hummingbird at work. You will quickly notice the ballet it performs and be amazed at the rate it flaps its small wings to remain both aloft and maneuver. Watch for more than five minutes and you will be hooked on bird watching.
The beauty of bird watching is you can approach it in a variety of ways. The first time out, most simply focus on sighting different birds. As you get into it, you will want to keep a bird watching journal in which you will keep a list of the birds you have seen. This is known as the “life list” among bird watchers because it gets thicker and thicker as you record more sighting through your life. Yes, you will get that hooked. I know people that carry their journal with them everywhere, even on business trips.
As you get more addicted to birding, you will start to become an expert. You can stick with just sighting birds, but many get more involved. They start noting behavioral patterns ranging from migration to breading to singing. The choice is entirely yours. Next thing you know, you will be using your vacation time to visit locations where you have an opportunity to sight rare, exotic birds. At this point, there is no turning back. You are a birder through and through.
Simply put, bird watching is an inexpensive, practical and enjoyably hobby by just about any calculation. Whether you choose to call it Ornithology or birding, there is no debate that it will hook you.
http://a1articles.com/article_98348_32.html
An Introduction to Ornithology – Bird Watching
As with many sophisticated terms ending in “ology”, ornithology is Greek in nature. It means the study of birds. While there are certainly many professional and academic groups focusing on ornithology, it is one of those rare fields where amateurs far out number the pros. About the only other field where this is the case is astronomy.
For amateurs, bird watching is simply the act of…well, watching birds. It can be pursued in exotic foreign lands like the Amazon in South Africa, not the bookstore on your computer. For most, it is a leisurely hobby pursued in areas around where you live. Heck, you can even do it from your backyard.
In modern society, we rarely take the time to really notice what is going on around us. Bird watching is a chance to do just that. If you ever want a hypnotic experience, just sit and watch a hummingbird at work. You will quickly notice the ballet it performs and be amazed at the rate it flaps its small wings to remain both aloft and maneuver. Watch for more than five minutes and you will be hooked on bird watching.
The beauty of bird watching is you can approach it in a variety of ways. The first time out, most simply focus on sighting different birds. As you get into it, you will want to keep a bird watching journal in which you will keep a list of the birds you have seen. This is known as the “life list” among bird watchers because it gets thicker and thicker as you record more sighting through your life. Yes, you will get that hooked. I know people that carry their journal with them everywhere, even on business trips.
As you get more addicted to birding, you will start to become an expert. You can stick with just sighting birds, but many get more involved. They start noting behavioral patterns ranging from migration to breading to singing. The choice is entirely yours. Next thing you know, you will be using your vacation time to visit locations where you have an opportunity to sight rare, exotic birds. At this point, there is no turning back. You are a birder through and through.
Simply put, bird watching is an inexpensive, practical and enjoyably hobby by just about any calculation. Whether you choose to call it Ornithology or birding, there is no debate that it will hook you.
http://a1articles.com/article_98348_32.html
Bird Watching Gifts - Holiday Gift Ideas
Bird watching is one of the fastest growing interests in the world. If you're buying for a bird watcher, here's a primer on ideas for bird watching gifts.
Bird Watching Gifts
Bird watching may seem the simplest of tasks. In truth, there are lots of gadgets, which gives you an opportunity to find great bird watching gifts
1. Binocular Pack Straps � Where you find bird watchers, you'll find binoculars. Binoculars are the staple equipment item of all birders. The problem, however, is binoculars have a habit of flopping around your body when walking and putting a strain on your neck. Any bird watcher would love to find a solution and binocular pack straps are the answer. They look like backpack straps and snuggly hold binoculars to your body while you walk. Brunton is a great brand and you can expect to pay $30 or so.
2. The Birder's Handbook � The Birder's Handbook is a great companion piece for any birder. Over 600 species are covered and all can be found in North America. This book is an excellent list for bird watching enthusiasts to compare their life lists against. The list price of the book is $20.00 and you can find it at any only bookstore.
3. Bird Cams � If backyard bird watching is the primary bird watching activity of the person your giving gifts to, bird cams are great gifts. The bird cam sits inside of the bird house and lets birders see the birds in action. A fascinating view of a bird's life. Night-Owl and NovaBird make solid cams. You can expect to pay $80 to $300 for a solid cam.
4. Nomad Bird Watching Journals � A little self-promotion. Nomad Bird Watching Journals are great gifts for bird watching enthusiast. Whether they enjoy bird watching tours, backyard birding or bird watching vacations, these journals let bird watchers keep track of sightings, conditions, locations, people met and impressions of the birding experience. A great Christmas gift, you can see the journal by clicking the link in the byline of this article and expect to pay $25 for the journal with case.
Bird watching is sweeping the world. Now you know what to buy bird watching enthusiasts for the holidays.
Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of writing journals. Bird watching journals are great bird watching gifts for bird watching tours and vacations.
Bird Watching Gifts
Bird watching may seem the simplest of tasks. In truth, there are lots of gadgets, which gives you an opportunity to find great bird watching gifts
1. Binocular Pack Straps � Where you find bird watchers, you'll find binoculars. Binoculars are the staple equipment item of all birders. The problem, however, is binoculars have a habit of flopping around your body when walking and putting a strain on your neck. Any bird watcher would love to find a solution and binocular pack straps are the answer. They look like backpack straps and snuggly hold binoculars to your body while you walk. Brunton is a great brand and you can expect to pay $30 or so.
2. The Birder's Handbook � The Birder's Handbook is a great companion piece for any birder. Over 600 species are covered and all can be found in North America. This book is an excellent list for bird watching enthusiasts to compare their life lists against. The list price of the book is $20.00 and you can find it at any only bookstore.
3. Bird Cams � If backyard bird watching is the primary bird watching activity of the person your giving gifts to, bird cams are great gifts. The bird cam sits inside of the bird house and lets birders see the birds in action. A fascinating view of a bird's life. Night-Owl and NovaBird make solid cams. You can expect to pay $80 to $300 for a solid cam.
4. Nomad Bird Watching Journals � A little self-promotion. Nomad Bird Watching Journals are great gifts for bird watching enthusiast. Whether they enjoy bird watching tours, backyard birding or bird watching vacations, these journals let bird watchers keep track of sightings, conditions, locations, people met and impressions of the birding experience. A great Christmas gift, you can see the journal by clicking the link in the byline of this article and expect to pay $25 for the journal with case.
Bird watching is sweeping the world. Now you know what to buy bird watching enthusiasts for the holidays.
Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of writing journals. Bird watching journals are great bird watching gifts for bird watching tours and vacations.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Bird Watching – Food To Attract Birds
Bird watching is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the country. To obtain sightings, you can either go to the birds or try to bring them to you.
Bird Watching – Food to Attract Birds
First off, birds want nothing from you with one exception. Food is that exception. Just like any animal, the next meal is nearly always on their minds. Of course, that is true for us as well, but I digress! When it comes to birding, you can go to the birds or bring them to you. If you prefer to have them come to you, an understanding of what they like to eat is important.
The most obvious food that attracts birds is bread. The image of people feeding birds in the park is an age old one and an accurate one as well. While just about any bread will due, you can do much more. Broken up muffins seem to be high on the culinary list of most birds. Cornbread and doughnuts are also known to bring them in.
On a less obvious note, peanuts should be a staple of your feeding arsenal. The peanuts need to be shelled as most birds have problems cracking them given their size. Unlike humans, you should avoid salted peanuts when tempting our feathered friends.
Once you have your peanuts together, you need to give some thought as to how you will present the bait. If you put the peanuts out in an open pile, you are probably going to be disappointed. Birds will simply haul them away to a secret location instead of staying around. Try putting them into the mesh bags you get with onions and then hanging them or tying them to something. Birds can still get the peanuts out, but they can only take a few.
Carrying the theme of peanuts a bit further, you can’t go wrong with peanut butter. Frankly, the stuff is crack for birds. They love it and can’t stay away. The best way to set the bait is to locate holes on your feeder or around the feeding area. Simply fill them up with peanut butter, sit back and watch. The show will start soon.
There are very few ways to attract birds to a location. Fortunately, the desire for food is nearly universal.
By: Nomad Rick
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of bird watching journals.
Bird Watching – Food to Attract Birds
First off, birds want nothing from you with one exception. Food is that exception. Just like any animal, the next meal is nearly always on their minds. Of course, that is true for us as well, but I digress! When it comes to birding, you can go to the birds or bring them to you. If you prefer to have them come to you, an understanding of what they like to eat is important.
The most obvious food that attracts birds is bread. The image of people feeding birds in the park is an age old one and an accurate one as well. While just about any bread will due, you can do much more. Broken up muffins seem to be high on the culinary list of most birds. Cornbread and doughnuts are also known to bring them in.
On a less obvious note, peanuts should be a staple of your feeding arsenal. The peanuts need to be shelled as most birds have problems cracking them given their size. Unlike humans, you should avoid salted peanuts when tempting our feathered friends.
Once you have your peanuts together, you need to give some thought as to how you will present the bait. If you put the peanuts out in an open pile, you are probably going to be disappointed. Birds will simply haul them away to a secret location instead of staying around. Try putting them into the mesh bags you get with onions and then hanging them or tying them to something. Birds can still get the peanuts out, but they can only take a few.
Carrying the theme of peanuts a bit further, you can’t go wrong with peanut butter. Frankly, the stuff is crack for birds. They love it and can’t stay away. The best way to set the bait is to locate holes on your feeder or around the feeding area. Simply fill them up with peanut butter, sit back and watch. The show will start soon.
There are very few ways to attract birds to a location. Fortunately, the desire for food is nearly universal.
By: Nomad Rick
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of bird watching journals.
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