Are You a Bird Watcher?

**AJE** · 01-19-2005, 02:34 PM

For young and old alike, observation of our feathered friends are a pleasurable pastime, a serious hobby, or an obsession. Bird watching is one of the oldest hobbies known to man. Our daily conversation uses bird cliques like: "the early bird catches the worm", "that's for the birds," and “SNOWBIRDS”. We celebrate eagles as symbols of our country and look forward to the traditional Thanksgiving turkey. One of the most popular American hobbies is that of enticing birds into our gardens as we offer them a banquet with well stocked feeders.

What is it about birds that fascinate us...? Is it the freedom they represent...? The ability to take flight on a whim...? The unique melodies that greet the morning...?

Have your observed any special bird behaviors that you would like to share?
For example,

Quote:

Just after the first rays of the morning sun, I was observing the daily feeding frenzy in early spring. I watched as a mated pair of cardinals cautiously approached the feeders which are located within ten feet of my dining room window. I watched the less timid male search through the sunflower seed on the ground while his mate stayed in a tree close by. On numerous occasions the male would take a special treat to his mate. It was really a very endearing display of devotion on the part of the male.

AlumniClub · 07-02-2005, 09:36 AM

Birding links for Wisconsin

LINK: http://www.anythingwisconsin.com/birding.htm

Crys · 07-05-2005, 12:53 PM

Thanks for the link.

I live... well, actually I live just off of the new 164, but where I'm at it's pretty wooded and there're horse farms just over the hill from me, so there's a fair amount of wildlife, especially birds, right out in my front yard. I put a feeder out with mixed seed to see what would turn up.

I've learned alot about bird territories. I seem to be right in the middle of the territory for a mated pair of cardinals, for instance. I was amused to watch the cardinals learn to use the bird feeder; they're smarter than you'd think. I didn't realize that the feeder I'd gotten was really too small for some of the birds we've got (like the cardinals). They would fly up to it and then veer off at the last second... until the female discovered she could land sideways and reach the seed at the other end of the tray.

Sunday I was out with my camera stalking the wooded line looking for good photos. I snapped one of the male cardinal, who obviously heard the click of the shutter. He was looking around frantically and then looked down at me, bobbed his head and then _posed_ while I took another couple pictures. It wasn't just a "noise - fear - don't move" response (or didn't seem to be anyway). He sat up tall and looked off to his left, all regal. After about a minute he looked down at me, sang something and then flew off toward the pine tree by my porch where they like to sit.

AlumniClub · 01-23-2006, 01:27 PM

Wisconsin Birding Forum
http://www.birding.com/forums/postli...?Cat=&Board=WI

**AJE** · 03-07-2006, 10:10 AM

All songbirds have four basic habitat needs food, water, a sheltered place to raise young and provide cover from the elements or predators. We need to stride to keeping our favorite birds healthy and happy; thus its important to know how to properly maintain birdbaths, birdhouses and birdfeeders as well as where’s the best suited place for locating these items. The following is some suggestions on creating a backyard habitat.

*By placing more than one birdfeeder in our yards, around different locations this will help to disperse bird activity and avoid overcrowding. This also will allow you to place many different feeds for the birds to choose as well. Note: If you’d like to discourage any predator activity, feeders should be placed away from areas prone to danger. You’ll need to keep in mind about squirrels and other scavengers’ critters that might be out for an easy meal, so rigging up a proof system is also a good idea.

*Birdhouses provide a great opportunity to observe new life, but in order to consider this shelter you’ll need to have the birdhouses securely mounted, and it’s also important to consider what type of bird your aiming to attract. All birds opt for different elevated heights, shapes and sizes for their homes so do some research on the species of songbird prior to placing at the optima spots accordingly.

*Birdbaths should be placed high enough that predatory mammals cannot reach the water. Baths should also be filled to a maximum depth of 2”, as shallow water is more accommodating to the smaller birds. If you have a deep pond make sure to add a rock inside so our winged friends won’t be so hesitant to have a drink or to enjoy a cool bath.

BadgerBlogger · 04-12-2006, 09:43 AM

Here are some of the posts I have made from my infamous Blogging Window. Most of the pictures on those posts were taken from the window where I sit when on the computer. I get quite a variety of birds considering that I am in the heart of Milwaukee.

http://badgerblogger.com/?p=1773
http://badgerblogger.com/?p=3128
http://badgerblogger.com/?p=1865
http://badgerblogger.com/?p=2979
http://badgerblogger.com/?p=2985

oneinthewoods · 04-13-2006, 12:12 AM

Amber,
Funny thing how I told you just a week ago how wonderful your writing is! Now, my friend, is just the beginning for you! Never give up!

Okay, you asked what I find so beautiful about birds.
I have the mentality of a child most often as you know why....with most of my free time I must turn into a child myself, so here goes:

The bird gets pushed out of the nest. God provided the food but the birdie must find a way to get at it. Either FALL OR FLY. And they fly with the thought of GRATITUDE just for today. They dont dwell on yesterday, they SING IN THE RAIN. They FIND A WAY to make a life, even with CATS LURKING IN THE BUSHES. The birdies know how to live and this is the way I NEED to push my own baby birds out on their own one day....and they will fly.....as I grow old in my garden...I will smile when I hear that special bird sing as IT IS MY BABY. And I smile.

To you, Amber, from me.

Keep up the good work with your writing. It is beautiful!

AlumniClub · 05-05-2006, 10:14 AM

Horicon Marsh Bird Festival

The 9th annual Horicon Marsh Bird Festival — a five-day event — begins next Thursday.

Bird watching for beginners, bird banding, birds of prey demonstrations and birding hikes are among more than two dozen activities on tap.

Bill Volkert, the DNR's Horicon State Wildlife Area naturalist, will be performing bird-banding demonstrations. Visitors will be able to see songbirds up close and learn about their harrowing migratory journeys.

Volkert also will lead a hike in search of wood warblers, often called the jewels of the bird world. Volkert said they are the most colorful but also challenging to identify by sight and sound.

A complete list of activities can be found at www.marshmelodies.com.

raftinjohnny · 12-04-2006, 12:12 PM

The wolf river is an excellent area to spot eagles,fishing from a tree,also looking for other prey.

AlumniClub · 12-13-2006, 12:45 PM

This morning while on the way back to my house I seen a what looked like to be a eagle headed toward our property.

When I was getting out of my vehicle I seen the eagle 50 feet from our house flying toward the few (3) large elms on the 40+ acre pasture.
The white head and tail tips was very evident as it glided to the tree.
The eagle perched in the only large elm tree in the other 30 acre property from our house and sat there for about a half hour.

I will be watching for him/her again.
We are only (as the eagle flies) about a half mile from the Wisconsin River.

**AJE** · 07-03-2007, 02:28 PM

Wow check out the Rubies!

**AJE** · 07-18-2007, 12:04 PM

Visitors to Valders Wisconsin

Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto In 1970s an exotic accidentally introduced to the Bahamas quickly expanded the range into the US and dispersed. Today can be seen in many areas. Beautiful bird if I do say so, ours was nesting at the neighbors lot across the street summer of 2001. At the time there was noted to be fewer than 12 birds sighting throughout Wisconsin...Our little friend has a normal dove as her mate.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Albino Pheucticus ludovicianus presently in Valders

Our dear Snowy Nyctea scandiaca , no one has seen in some time but I'm sure it'll return next winter FYI.

Pigeon or Merlin Hawk Falco columbarius One day back in HS this strange looking bird came to rest on our cloth line poles for some 20minutes before flying away. Haven't seen it since I'm sure it was just passing threw our neighborhood that July day.