Bird Feeding Basics - Our Favorite Seed Mix

January 25th, 2010

Regardless of the time of year, providing an appealing seed mix for the birds who visit you is key. The best bird feeder will see little use if the seed you use is not to the birds’ liking. Areas of the country in which winter is harsh present a further challenge. Additional nutritious items such as meat suet and suet cakes should be offered as they provide a high energy source to help sustain your visitors throughout the winter months.

For year round use, we recommend a combination of black/oil sunflower and safflower with an approximate ratio of 5 to 1 respectively. Cardinals, Chickadees, Titmice, Nuthatches, Blue Jays, all the Sparrow family and finches, including House Finches and Goldfinches (these guys do not eat just thistle/nyjer seed), Doves and many others will appreciate this menu offering. Our experience demonstrates that you can not go wrong with this mix. Seed such as millet and corn can attract some unwanted visitors such as starlings and grackles. These more “predatory” birds, who will scatter preferred song birds as they swoop in to feed, may still visit your feeding stations filled with our favorite mix, but their presence should be more limited.

So enjoy this tried and true mix. And experiment with the combination of the two seeds. You may find that the birds in your area prefer one over the other. Also, we have discovered that the time of year can have an affect on the concentration of oil sunflower to safflower mix that your birds prefer. Keep an eye out. Your birds will tell you what recipe is preferred at any given time.

Support Staff - the Outdoor Nature Resource.com

Whether you are an avid bird watcher and enjoy bird watching, wild bird identification and offering bird feeders for your feathered friends who visit you and are looking for the best wild bird feeders available, you will find much that is unique when you visit the Outdoor Nature Resource.com.


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Owl Pellets - Learning About Owls

January 25th, 2010

Studying owl pellets can be described as a enjoyable and intriguing strategy to examine owls. Owls are hands down astonishing birds which are properly adapted toward their night time life. Although recognizing owls in the wild may well usually be a task, exploring to get pellets may be a gratifying method to get to know the owls inside the field. By means of taking apart the pellets people can find out about the prey wildlife that the owl fed on.

Owls happen to be raptors, or birds of prey. Their particular bodily and also behavioral adaptations empower them to be incredibly proficient night time hunters. All owls are usually in the family Strididae, with the exception of the Barn Owl, that belongs to the Tytonidae family. Owls possess remarkable vision, a great deal enhanced compared to human beings which makes it possible for them to catch a glimpse of little prey from very much away. Owls’ eyes tend to be big in order to make it possible for a lot more light in. Even as people will be able to shift their eyeballs in order to see, owls need to shift their heads. It may be seen that owls will spin their heads entirely round, nonetheless in point of fact they know how to rotate nearly two seventy degrees. Loads of birds have got eyes along the sides of their own heads and will only utilise a single eye at a time, however owls just like different predators, not to mention human beings, possess frontward looking eyes. This binocular vision permits depth perception. Your own fun option for you to see an owl’s qualities could be with a realistic Burrowing Owl Hansa toy that is considered to be a feasible reproduction having posable legs along with a rotating head or maybe with a life size realistic Little Owl life size authentic mobile.

As hunters, owls additionally depend on their acute sensation of hearing. Numerous owls feature feathers configured in big facial disks that help out funnel sounds toward their ears. The ears are usually a little bit offset, and so the owl might locate the area the noise may be arriving from. All of their feathers at the ends belonging to the wings should be soft as well as fine, so as to get rid of any flapping noise. While they fly, owls could noiselessly sneak up on prey and also be capable to carry on to listen to the prey moving along. The owl are going to then catch the quarry using intense pointed talons and move it back to a roost to consume.

Owls happen to be meat-eating, devouring smaller mammals, amphibians, as well as bugs. Owls tend to not chew their meal, but instead swallow the actual prey total. The actual delicate fleshy pieces will be digested, however the bones, pelt, insect exoskeletons and similar hard stuff can be found retained within the gizzard. This matter is going to be formed into a ball and after that regurgitated as a pellet away from the owl’s mouth area.

Distinguishing owl species through the pellet that they produce may perhaps end up being hard. A number of owls generate specific pellets, for example barn owls’ that are usually especially tight and dark. Generally however, pellet volume, texture and hue can fluctuate depending on everything that the owl might be consuming. Normally greater owl varieties definitely will generate greater pellets and slighter owls, little pellets. Habitat connections is usually a valuable tactic to commence learning to discover the species.

Owls more often than not rest in the identical area. Hunting to get white droppings along at the bottom about a tree may be a fine sign of owl dwelling. As long as an owl may be employing that perch for some time there may be quite a lot of pellets across the surface. In case you actually see these types of conditions you may perhaps have a nice possibility to see an actual owl if you will be patient. As long as you may have the pellet then you have got the added data concerning what and the amount an owl is ingesting.

The writer is an avid birdwatcher who recommends working withOwl pellet kits for checking out their routine and consults with Northwest Nature Shop.

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What Are Mapquest Driving Directions And How Do You Use Them

January 20th, 2010

Traveling salesman, traveling entertainers, house-call doctors (if they still exist) or anybody that drives to varying and numerous locations to do their work on a regular basis are always in need of a few things, gas, directions and patience. MapQuest driving directions are easy to get and very convenient.

MapQuest.com is a comprehensive website that enables users to input a location and find it most places in the world or input several locations within the U. S., Canada and Europe and find directions from one place to another. These are the fundamental services it is known for but is also has related uses that come in very handy.

When you are traveling you can simply go to MapQuest, plot out your trip, be it one destination, two or ten and it will connect the dots with MapQuest driving directions. It produces a map of the route, written directions including miles, names of streets, visual representations of directions, time estimate and total miles. Once you have what you need, you can print it (with or without the map), save it, send, link or embed it and you are set to go.

Some other useful features of MapQuest.com include the ability to find spots of interest like restaurants or state parks near your destinations. If you don’t like what it suggests, you can tell it to avoid a step or two and it will recalculate the route for you. You can also instruct it to avoid highways, toll roads or seasonally closed roads. Directions can be calculated by shortest time or shortest distance. And, it also can help you calculate fuel ‘ so, it does help with the gas.

The newest features of MapQuest driving directions are street level imagery, which provides 360? panoramic views, the ability to save maps on your phone and Blackberry, one-click search for local attractions and new reports from MapQuest’s own blog. MapQuest also has links on its main page to the yellow pages, local news and gas prices. If you sign up for membership, or have an AOL account, you can sign in and save your regular destinations and MapQuest driving directions so you don’t have to type them in again when you want to get new directions.

If you have a phone, MapQuest is probably easiest to use for regular travelers since you don’t have to access a computer or print anything out. There are also phones apps, including an iPhone turn-by-turn app.

For those who don’t like to use your cell phone in the car or when it is illegal to do so, you are left with visiting a computer first and printing out where you need to go. It’s easy, especially with the numerous free apps that you can add to a blog if you have one and the new MapQuest driving directions toolbar. However, if you are phoneless, a GPS in the car can save time. But, then again, MapQuest is free and purchasing a GPS is not.

MapQuest still doesn’t have data for the entire globe but it’s getting there. So, if you travel a lot for work, like to take road trips or just want to see a city in China on a map, MapQuest is a wonderfully productive tool.

Traveling salesman, entertainers, house-call doctors or anybody that drives to varying locations to do their work on a regular basis are always in need of a few things- gas, patience and MapQuest driving directions. More info now on http://www.funandsafedriving.com/driving-directions.html

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Looking for a Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder?

January 20th, 2010

A squirrel proof bird feeder is a sought out feature for anyone who has had a bird feeder.  Many people have come up with many different homemade methods for trying to keep squirrels away from their bird feeders and suffered much frustration when trying to squirrel proof their bird feeder.  There are now many different varieties and models that fall under the category of a squirrel proof bird feeder.

Some squirrel proof bird feeders are mechanical and detects the weight of the squirrel and will  start spinning and throw the squirrel off the bird feeder, sometimes called twirl a squirrel.  Another type is designed so that the perches will collapse when the weight of the squirrel is pushed beyond the limit.  There are also caged squirrel proof bird feeders, which allows birds to easily pass through the small holes it isn’t possible for the squirrels to get through them. 
  
Keep in mind there aren’t any bird feeders that can keep a squirrel out 100% of the time.  With that being said there are a lot of designs out there that will keep squirrels out 99% of the time.

If you are tired of constantly re-filling your bird feeder to only see the squirrels empty it in a short time then check out one of these squirrel proof bird feeder options and you can get back to enjoying the birds and not fighting the squirrels.   Whatever your desire is you will be able to find a bird feeder that will suit your needs.   For more information visit here.

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Wild Bird Feeders - Why not?

January 19th, 2010

Ask any ornithologist of the importance of wild birds to a particular geographical eco-system and one will be met with a cacophonous response regarding delicate food chain balances, confusing statistical data pertaining to population decreases and the effect the decimation of natural habitats is having on their beloved winged friends.

But, for the most of us, the most appealing and luring attribute of the feathered sector of the evolutionary ladder is undoubtedly their outstanding aesthetic beauty. This, coupled with a vocal range unmatched anywhere in nature, is the reason why so many of us spend our hard earned on wild bird feeders.

Nuts about the Northern Flicker? Barmy about the Blue Hen Chicken?  Mad for the Mountain Blue Bird? If the answer to any of these, or indeed all of them is yes then you need to know the perfect feeders to allow you to ogle to your heart’s content.

Every ornithologist has a favourite bird. It may be the one bird that eludes him at every bird watching outing, the one he just can’t entice with his wild bird feeder, his prize catch. Armed with a little inside knowledge and an earnest desire, you can find the bird you’re looking for.

Wild bird feeders bring the normally more elusive of birds right into the arena of your own back garden, a perfect vantage point for bird watching in HD. With a variety of feeders to suit the most frugal of budgets, the most determined of pests, (those pesky squirrels!) and the most tiny of gardens, wild bird feeders allow anyone to have their own Technicolor bird watching movie-fest.

Added to this the fact that with the huge spectrum of decorative tables available, you can utilise it as a design feature to add panache to a mundane outdoor space, plus with a little bit of specialist insight you can even match the bird to your open-air decor. With a little research, you can choose the food and feeder to attract a particular species of bird and voila, instant coordination of flora and fauna. Who needs to pay the high prices of specialist gardeners?!

And for the more ecologically conscious amongst us, sleep well knowing that your little oasis might very well contribute to a coinciding rise in population numbers of your favourite bird, helping them feed and nurture their young in a safe and reliable environment. What more self-satisfaction could you get than knowing you’ve done your little bit to offset all the damage we inadvertently do to the natural habitats all around us?

With such minimal outlaying and maintenance costs, there really is very little reason NOT to have a wild bird feeder in your garden!

To see more about Home Bird Feeders and birdwatching, click through to my website for great deals and reviews on Heritage Farms Feeders and other top feeders.

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Backyard Birdwatching: Picking the Best Wild Bird Feeders

January 18th, 2010

Millions of backyards in America attract wide variety of birds because of their carefully placed and filled wild bird feeders, installed by nature lovers of all types.  The most successful birdwatchers began with a vision of their “aviary,” considering what they desired to see and hear in their own backyards.

To bring your vision to life, start by developing an understanding of which birds you want to see and which ones you might not.  A knowledge of this will help you as you get started choosing the best wild bird feeders for your backyard.  Neighbors and family members can be a useful resource for novices who are just beginning their exploration into the wonderful world of birdwatching.

Don’t get overwhelmed:  have a basic understanding of the different styles of bird feeders before heading out to any store.  Types of wild bird feeders include suet, thistle, platform and ground, tube and wood ones.  Even a basic understanding of the highlights and pitfalls of each one will help reduce future frustration and encourage your success.

Just as important as choosing the best feeders is selecting food that matches birds’ preferences.  Most bird lovers will choose black oil sunflower seeds, which are widely available and likely to attract quite a wide variety of birds.  When June rolls around, begin to add orange slices or some new treats such as nuts and you may bring in some fresh new winged friends that aren’t around all year long.  Consider some species as having very special taste buds, too:  woodpeckers and some other birds enjoy peanuts.

Purchasing squirrel proof bird feeders may also help you from going broke when buying bird seed.  Though some are better than others at keeping the squirrels at bay, reduce their threat by placing your feeders away from squirrel-friendly landscaping as well.  If those tips don’t help, perhaps replacing sunflower seeds with thistle seeds may prove useful as some swear that squirrels hate the stuff.

When everything is set up, it’s time to take a rest and enjoy the view.  If you’re a novice, keeping a reference book handy will be useful when trying to identify the new visitors enjoying your backyard creation!

To see more about Wild Bird Feeders and birdwatching, click through to my website for great deals and reviews on Squirrel Buster Plus and other top feeders.

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What do you know about Doves?

January 14th, 2010

Doves are one of those mythical animals that is actually a living animal. They make their appearance in the Bible and in various situations throughout history. They are a symbol peace and are often depicted as holding an olive branch which is also another classic symbol. So even though they are a real animal, they also have historical and cultural significance.

It is possible to raise doves. For example, a lot of magicians like to use doves in their magic acts. They produce them out of various objects and make them disappear. One of the reasons why doves are a popular animal for magic acts is because of the fact that they symbolize various things in the culture. If you would like to buy your own doves, you can visit a pet store or get them from someone who bought them from a pet store and no longer needs them.

In addition to being part of a magic act, you could simply purchase doves as pets. They are beautiful animals and could enhance any home environment. The one problem is that they are a member of the pigeon family. This means that they make a constant amount of noise. So, it may be a fun thing to have a dove as a pet, but you need to know what to expect. It is a good idea to visit multiple pet stores and speak with the clerks so you can know what you are getting yourself into.

It could be fun to learn about doves, even if you are not interested in getting one. The dove throughout history is a fascinating study. You can approach studying them from different angles such as their symbolism, their history, and the way their physical makeup. So whether you want to have a dove as a pet, learn about them, or if you want to use them in a magic act, know that they are a great bird and a symbol of things like peace and love. For example, they appear in the Bible. When the rains stopped, Noah released a dove to show whether or not the water started receding. After a time, the dove came back with an olive branch, showing that the water cleared and they could go on land.

 

Paul Ingersole is an Australian based business person who enjoys writing.Paul discovered a great system that makes small continuous recurring profits using the internet.You can see Google Sniper at Paul’s website

http://www.guruswipe.com

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Bird Feeder Plans - Choosing You Favorite Bird Feeder Design

January 13th, 2010

Bird feeders plans are wonderful to help you build your favorite bird feeders. There is nothing like bird feeders to make your garden or backyard come to life and attract many species of birds. There are several different models for you to build if you want to attract specific kinds of birds.

Suet Feeders

This is a great bird feeder to attract bigger birds such as chickadees, cardinals, woodpeckers or blue jays. Suet is actually a piece of animal fat that you put inside a container covered with wire. The holes has to be big enough to allow the birds to pick at the fat. This is great food to feed the birds during the winter months.

Building a suet bird feeder is easy with two small plates of wood attached together with 6 inches long wood sticks, a rope to hang it with and some wire with holes of a half of an inch wrapped around the sticks, creating a caged area on the middle to put the suet.

Hopper Feeders

This is the most often sen bird feeder and it is easy to build one in any version you like. A large platform at the bottom can keep the seeds from falling on the ground and get wasted. The design consist in a little house with walls and a liftable roof for easy refilling. Making small openings allow the seeds to spill slowly onto the bottom tray.

This kind of feeder attract a lot of different variety of birds such as blue jays but also squirrels, especially if they are suspended under a tree. Try to put your feeder in a place where the squirrels cannot access it too easily.

Tube Feeders

The tube feeders you can buy at the stores are made of plastic and will not last very long. Soon the plastic will break with the cold and you will have to get new ones. Building one with wood is a great idea. To do so build a long rectangle box and drill one inch holes all around it. Adding perched under the holes will attract a large variety of small birds that cannot cling as easily as woodpeckers and finches can.

To attract larger birds, attach a bottom tray under the tube to collect the seed to they will land and feed there.

There are many more models you can make yourself for a fraction of the cost of what they sell for in retail stores.

Making your own bird feeders using bird feeder plans is a great hobby and allow you to make substantial savings. You can use your creativity and add you own touch in the finishing process. To find out where to find everything you need, go to http://www.squidoo.com/simple-and-easy-woodworking-projects for plans, material and tool sources and enjoy building your own bird feeders!

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Have you ever heard of mourning doves?

January 13th, 2010

Mourning doves are another kind of dove that people can learn about. The misconception is that there is only one kind of dove – the white one that is most often depicted as being a symbol of peace. Well, there are a lot of other kinds of doves, including mourning doves. Mourning doves, or as the Latin name represents, Zenaida macroura, are native of certain parts of North America and Central America. Besides the Latin name, alternate names for the mourning doves are the American Mourning dove, Carolina turtledove or the Carolina pigeon. Pigeons and doves are actually related in the same family.

Mourning doves actually have quite a long range. They can be found in parts of Central America, in the United States, and even parts of southern Canada. They are also commonly found on certain offshore islands. For bird enthusiasts this is good information to have because if you are looking to find some members of the dove family such as mourning doves, it is a good idea to know where to look for them. If you live in any of these areas you could easily catch a glimpse of them. They also often migrate which can expand their reach.

When it comes to learning about birds there are several options for you. The first is to find a family of birds such as doves and devote your time studying them and looking for them in the wild. You can find things like mourning doves and other kinds of doves if you take this approach. Once you find them you can observe them, especially if you know the general area where they live or if you have a bird feeder that they seem to frequent often.

If you want to know about birds, particular members of the dove family such as mourning doves, the best way to do that is to observe them in the wild. To do that, you need to know where they are commonly found. Then, all you need is a guidebook to help you identify the bird and also a little bit of patience. If you are patient and diligent you will eventually see the kind of bird that you want to see.

Paul Ingersole is an Australian based business person who enjoys writing.Paul discovered a great system that makes small continuous recurring profits using the internet.You can see Google Sniper at Paul’s website

http://www.guruswipe.com

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What do you know about Ring Neck Doves?

January 12th, 2010

Ring neck doves are another one of those species of dove that are actually pretty common. They are also called Barbary doves and ring doves and are considered “domestic” doves. This means that this is the species that is often taken in as pets. Doves are a mythical creature. They always make it in the common myths and legends and are even mentioned in the Bible. This particular kind of dove has been highly respected as a domesticated animal. They have been living in a domestic setting for two or three thousand years. That means that they have been domesticated possibly since ancient times.

With that said, if you want to have a dove as a pet, ring neck doves would be the best choice. They are widely available and they also have a long history of being pets. These are also the ones that are most likely used for magic tricks. So before you go out and buy a dove, make sure you know which species you are ending up with. Your best bet is to make sure that the dove is domesticated. Just because they are ring neck doves do not mean that they are domestic.

There are several ways you can obtain domesticated ring neck doves. The first is through a pet store. There are pet stores that specialize in birds or you can have your local pet store get some for you. But if you do special order them, make sure that all you need to do is look at them and that you are not required to buy them. You can also get them mail order, on the internet, and from former owners. Ring neck doves are fairly common so there should be plenty of options for you to get them.

After you find the bird that you want, all you need to do is learn how to care for them. If they are coming from a previous owner you can ask them for advice. Or you can ask the store where you buy them. It is also a good idea to do some research online. When it comes to ring neck doves you want to make sure you care for them as best as possible.

Paul Ingersole is an Australian based business person who enjoys writing.Paul discovered a great system that makes small continuous recurring profits using the internet.You can see Google Sniper at Paul’s website

http://www.guruswipe.com

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