Rose Cottage Ltd

If you haven’t heard about the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, you can find out all about it here.

This year the bird count runs from yesterday through Monday – click here to find out how you can participate.

Here are some of the numbers from the 2014 campaign:

+ Number of checklists: 144,109
+ Species observed: 4,296
+ Countries participating: 135
+ Estimated number of participants: 142,051
+ Photos entered in contest: 4,491
+ Photos posted to gallery: 1,242

This is a great thing for kids. Get them a pair of binoculars and get them outside!

And Happy Valentine’s Day!!

I’ve been watching this pair of Cardinals at the feeder for the past few days. It didn’t take long to figure out they are a “couple.”

They come by usually early evening and do the same thing. He sits at the feeder – she sits on top of the feeder, and he feeds her!

They are both looking a bit scraggly which I hope is only part of their molting process and not a bad case of mites, etc. I believe these two may even have a nest somewhere fairly near the feeder.

Sorry the pictures aren’t super clear but I had to take them through the window so I wouldn’t disturb “dinner.”

You can find out more about Cardinals here. I can tell you for sure that if you want to attract Cardinals, sunflower seeds are the trick. You can see this last bag of seed had a LOT of sunflowers in the mix.

Overcast day yesterday – warm and humid and typical for North Carolina in August. I was happy to see that adding the second hummingbird feeder seems to have attracted a bigger crowd. Now even the smallest hummingbird has a chance at one of the feeders.

I watched this little one trying to get a drink for about 30 minutes – while being “kamakazied” by several of the larger birds. He/she finally found a chance to drink – but was keeping an eye open for “incoming.”

This next month or so will be a busy time for hummingbirds as they shore up food and nutrients for their return flights south for our fall, winter, (and in NC) spring seasons. Keep the feeders full and fresh as you can – I know they appreciate!

I decided I wanted a good quality glass Hummingbird feeder this year so off I went to Lowe’s…

The liquid container was a little larger than I’d like and I was concerned with it being red glass, I might not be able to see how much food was left. But, as you can see, it just takes a glance to note the liquid level, and I never add more than half this total available capacity anyway. The liquid gets too hot and stale and Hummingbirds deserve a refreshed supply every day or two in the hottest months of summer.

About $17 at Lowe’s – and a LOT more sturdy than those cheaper plastic feeders that don’t age well in the sun and are hard to clean.

And yes, I already have quite a few “customers.”

Found this “couple” just awhile ago on one of my backyard feeders. Unusual to catch both the male and female at the same place and time – long enough to get the camera anyway!!

He seemed a little concerned at my presence and then decided things looked safe enough so, back to the bird seed!

Happy June!!

Don’t forget to push your clock forward one hour tonight or you’ll be running “late” before you even get out of bed tomorrow!

Series News: Those wacko guys from “Million Dollar Listings – New York” will be back again starting April 2nd.

Here’s one to give budding real estate investors some motivation:

++ 20 Richest Real Estate Tycoons – Forbes Billionaires List

And if you think R.E auctions and online auctions are not “big business”

++ Google Invests $50 Million in Property Broker Auction.com

No – All are NOT equal”

++ Questions You Need to Ask a Real Estate Agent

Looking for a Baltimore, Maryland estate?

++ Tyrconnell

I’d need them to define “weekend” first!

++ 10 weekend projects to improve your home’s value

Want to buy property from the US Government?

++ Properties for Sale by the USDA-RD and USDA-FSA

My birdfeeders are going crazy right now. There is often “standing-room-only” and I may need to look at adding additional feeders for Spring 2014. Duncraft Wild Bird Superstore has a LOT of options – sizes, shapes and colors. Look for your feeders there – many products made in the USA!!

++ Duncraft – USA made products. Wild Bird Feeding Solutions!

No rest for the weary birdwatcher! My feeders are packed with birds at the moment – Wrens, Cardinals, Nuthatch, Chicadees – and a few new visitors I haven’t identified just yet. Here’s a little help for your Fall and Winter 2013 shopping season:

Win $250 Duncraft Shopping Spree

Enter here at duncraft.com.

And where DO Hummingbirds go?

Here’s some good info: Hummingbird Migration

If you think it’s impossible to find products made in the USA you’ll want to look at these USA-made and eco-friendly houses and feeders for birds. A few 50-degree mornings have it SRO lately at my local bird feeders. Birds are gearing up for the winter they know is coming.

Eco-Friendly Wren House

A hit with wrens, chickadees and nuthatches! The wren house that lasts forever!

That’s because recycled plastic lasts forever, is more hygienic than wood, and will never warp, crack or discolor. This house is built tough with sturdy all-screw construction! Watch the nesting begin in a clean, safe and secure home for wrens and other small birds.

Side cleanout, green and tan plastic with 10 inch vinyl coated, steel hanger.

Entry hole is 1-1/8inches.

Size: 4-1/2 x 6-1/2 inches tall.

Eco-Friendly Orange Fruit Feeder

Entice orioles into your yard! Not just for Baltimore Orioles fans either!

Nothing attracts orioles like the color orange. Hang this vibrantly-colored feeder and stock it with an orioles’ favorite food; oranges!

Skewer an orange half onto the center rod. Orioles can feed from four convenient stainless steel perches. Constructed of Eco-Friendly recycled plastic that’s easy to clean and keeps its good looks for years to come.

Hangs with a 10″ hanger with built-in loop. Dimensions are 9-1/2 x 11″

Eco-Friendly Bluebird House

The secret to happy, healthy bluebirds!Start with the right housing!

Hygienic, recycled plastic has the requirements bluebirds need: proper ventilation, floor size, entry hole and predator guard. And it’s attractive and durable. It has a wood-grained finish, sturdy all-screw construction and is completely impervious to weather. A clean, safe place for bluebirds to raise their families!

Pre-drilled for mounting, tan and green recycled plastic. Entry hole is 1-1/2 inches.

House measures 7 x 8-1/4 x 12-1/2 inches high.

Looks for dozens of other products for your feather friends at Duncraft. Great for gifts too!

We showed some unique birdbaths earlier this week so now we’re viewing a few unique birdhouses to go with them!

Sag Harbor Birdhouse – Blue with Mansard Roof

Novelty Cottage Birdhouse (White)

Country Cottage Birdhouse (Blue)

Garden Pavilion Birdhouse – Large

You’ll find hundreds of birdhouse options and articles plus info on what type of house specific birds need for their prospective families – at The Bird Shed.

Last year’s resin birdbath didn’t make it too well through even a mild 2011/2012 Winter. This year’s selection will not have the same problem.

The resin birdbath developed cracks near the base early on – making it a chore to keep it full of clean water. Repeated attempts to repair the cracks were temporarily successful at best. Sometimes you just need a better product. With temperatures expected in the 90s sometime this coming week – this was good timing for the birdbath solution.

This heavy concrete model is also not going anywhere on days when the winds coming from the adjacent open pasture can meet or exceed 50 mph during Spring and summer storms.