D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
July
2008
Cheep Thrills
The rewards of summer bird feeding.
By Kristi Lane
By continuing to feed wild birds in the summer, you don't miss out on one of the most enjoyable times of the year to watch backyard birds.
 |
A mother bluebird feeds her young. |
It's during the warmer months that wild birds exhibit their brightest colors and increase their activity. A greater variety of birds, beautiful songs, courting, nest building, fledglings and bathing are just some of the fun birdwatching activities you can enjoy. To make birds feel more at home in your backyard, all you have to do is provide four basic habitat elements: food, water, cover and places to raise their young.
Food — The average yard in our area may be visited regularly by 15 to 20 different bird species. During the summer, birds seek foods that are rich in proteins and vitamins to meet the energy demands of activities such as courting and nesting. Offering seed will help supplement their natural diet. The right seed blend and birdfeeder placed where the birds prefer to feed will help you to attract the greatest variety of birds.
Suet doughs formulated for warm weather feeding and mealworms will help hatchlings and nestlings get off to a good strong start. Offer seed and suet dough with calcium to add this important egg-producing and bone-building nutrient to a bird's diet.
Water — Adding water to your backyard can increase the number of birds that will visit by attracting many species that would not normally come to your birdfeeder. Birdbaths, drippers, misters and specially constructed water gardens can be easily added to your backyard habitat plan.
Every species has its own unique behavior around water that is entertaining to watch. Adding a dripper may lure unusual visitors such as warblers, flycatchers and thrushes. Finches, orioles, chickadees and titmice will land on a dripper spout, walk down to the end and lean over to take a drink.
Cover — Birds need protective cover just like people need the shelter of a house. The ideal cover for birds would include flowers, evergreens, shrubs and deciduous trees ranging in size and density. Plantings that bear fruit in the summer and late fall are best for feeding fruit-eating birds during the winter. With just a little effort, you can plant specific trees, shrubs and flowers that will encourage birds to take up residence all year while enhancing the appearance of your yard.
Places to raise young (nesting) — Placing nesting boxes in your backyard habitat will encourage birds that visit your birdfeeders to nest and stay year-round. You'll be able to enjoy all aspects of a bird's family as they go through the different stages of their lives including courting a mate, building a nest, laying eggs, feeding their hatchlings and watching their fledglings as they venture out on their own.
Wrens, bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, woodpeckers, flickers, some swallows and occasionally house finches are all cavity-nesting birds that you are likely to attract to a nesting box. Try providing a basket of colorful string, yarn and fibers for birds to carry away to build their nests. With so many natural nesting sites being destroyed, nesting boxes also provide the necessary shelter birds need for their survival year-round.
Kristi and Wesley Lane are the owners of Wild Birds Unlimited, 2001 E. Lohman, Suite 130, in Las Cruces, 523-5489, www.wbu.com/lascruces With more than 300 locations, Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people and nature together with birdfeeding and nature products, expert advice and educational events.