Birds and Squirrels

While some of us take measures to prevent squirrels from feeding from our birdfeeders, it’s also nice to offer something to our furry backyard friends. One option is to spill a little bit of the bird seed when you’re filling the feeder. But a much more entertaining option is to add squirrel feeders to your garden décor.

These feeders are designed for squirrels and intended to keep them distracted and off the bird feeder; most of the time they’re successful! Squirrel feeders can contain a variety of different feeds, including peanuts, corn cobs, and sunflowers. Squirrel feeders also come in different styles, some of which feature more entertaining or original designs.

  A Bluebirds’ diet consists of insects and fruit. These birds will perch themselves on a branch looking down waiting for an insect, then swoop in on them almost like a bird of prey. If you want to feed them you can plant native plants like American Bittersweet, or you can try providing them with mealworms. These worms (which are actualy beetle larval and not worms at all) will provide them with a high source of nutrition and protein. 

  You can first try feeding them by putting the worms in a pan or cup close to one of thier favorite perches. They are quick to learn where the food is and can even be trained to come to a call or whistle. The biggest problem with feeding Bluebirds mealworms is, they aren’t the only ones who enjoy these mouthwatering treats. Solution? Try a Bluebird Feeder. With a Bluebird feeder the bird has to enter through a entrance hole where the food is and most other birds will not do this. In the end you will have plenty of hours to spend with these beautiful birds!

Now that I’ve read up on the lives and behavioral patterns of purple martins, I must admit I’m a bit jealous. I had always enjoyed gazing at their violet-hued plumage and listening to their striking courtship vocalizations, but that was the extent of it. Then I found out that these winged wonders take to the skies in the fall and fly all the way to the Southern Hemisphere; with the weather the way it is up here in November, I can hardly blame them.

The majority of purple martins don’t arrive back in the States until spring, but it’s always a good plan to have your purple martin bird houses set up and ready to go by February. Since martins live in large groups, their houses are built accordingly. The homes should be placed out in a yard by February at the latest to catch the first few groups of martins on their way back up north. Although it takes persistence and more than a little luck to attract these birds, once they’ve found your specialized house they will return again and again.