Newsletter
2010
/ Issue 2
IN THIS ISSUE: TEN TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL BIRDING
Here are a few tips that we've learned, mostly from painful experience :) that can help you to see more birds, make more accurate IDs, and do it all safely and comfortably.
1. Know where you're going
Check local websites for the best
places to bird in your area. You'll
have a much greater chance of success.
2. Try to identify every bird you see
As with most things, practice makes
perfect.
3. Listen while you look
Become familiar with the bird's calls
and songs. It will add to your fun.
4. Know which birds to expect
If you see a flycatcher in Ontario
it's probably a Great Crested,
not a Brown-crested.
5. Record what you see
Get started on that Life List. It makes
seeing a new bird all the more fun.
6. Gear up
Invest in a decent pair of binoculars,
and a bird identification field guide.
7. Dress for the occasion
Know what the weather is going to be,
and dress accordingly - and don't forget
things like sunscreen, insecticide, and
water.
8. Don't get lost
Take a map, compass, GPS, cell phone,
and don't leave the trails unless you're
very familiar with the woods you're in.
9. Practice ethical behaviour
No trespassing, no littering, and do not
damage the environment.
10. Enjoy the journey
Pay attention to the beauty of your
surroundings. An appreciation of all of
nature will make your birding a pleasure
whether you see a new lifer or not.
An expanded version of this list will be available soon at the Birding and More website.
If you have some tips you'd like to share with your fellow birders, send them along to garry@birdingandmore.com and I'll be happy to put them on our website.
What's New at http://www.birdingandmore.com/
Jan 25. New pictures were added to the Backyard Birds gallery.
Jan
26.
A new gallery was added, called Squirrels.
Jan
30.
A new gallery of Landscapes
was added.
There have also been a
couple of new blogs:
'Consecon and the
Stinson Block'
and
'20 below, but
not much snow'
Picture
of the week
"Dark-eyed
Junco"
From the Backyard
Birds gallery on our website
DID YOU
KNOW?
Starlings and Grackles can mimic human speech better than parrots!
Guest contributor: June Williams (Elaine's mom)
Birds are God's beautiful choir to the world but squirrels make life so interesting. They teach us patience (of which I need) and determination... to seek out the food they love - peanuts in the shell. I've been feeding them one peanut between my fingers, and both black squirrels and brown will come to me (with some coaxing) but one is my dearly beloved pet. If I leave the patio door open for a minute, there are four dear little brown paws on my den floor waiting for his peanut and sometimes he'll put his soft, gentle paws on each side of my hand. He's saying "Thanks!" In spite of my love for God's squirrels, I was bit by one in the fall and had to have rabies shots.
But heck, what's life if you don't take chances! Know your squirrels
and teach them to know you. Thank you, God, for squirrels - especially
my pet...Do you have a story or photo you'd like to
share with us?
Send it to: newsletter@birdingandmore.com
There are many ways to provide protection for your birds, and even other small wildlife, that are easy on the budget. Two areas we've provided are a rock pile and a brush pile - neither are very big yet but they can always be added to! We have a pile of slightly
larger rocks at the back of our garden, set amidst catmint, wild
geranium and a daylily or two, with a cement "hosta leaf" birdbath
on top. In the summer birds and squirrels alike enjoy a stop for
refreshment there and sometimes a quick bath. We've also begun a brush
pile near the back corner against our fence with branches that we've
pruned from the hedge and other trees around our property. We've
noticed birds in and around there during the summer but there's a lot
of activity now, during the winter, which pleases us a lot. When Garry
puts out fresh seed each morning he dumps the old leftover seed from
the platform feeder near the brush pile and the birds, most notably
juncos and house sparrows, have a wonderful time flying in amongst the
branches and kicking the leaves on the ground looking for food. When
we're out in the bush we've noticed how much birds like the trees with
a brambled mess of branches so it's very satisfying to provide
something similar for them in our own backyard. While it's a somewhat
"wild" look, with daylilies and other natural plants growing around
it's an attractive addition to our wildlife garden.If you liked our newsletter
please pass it along to your friends and family.
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