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.”

Before the next rain, snow, sleet event!

The sun was too bright for a great picture and this little female Cardinal looks like she could use a pair of sunglasses! Nice to see trees budding though. I’m really ready for some color around here!!!

If you know someone who likes feeding outdoor birds, you’ll likely find a lot of great gift ideas at Duncraft Wild Bird Superstore.

Choose from feeders and food, birdbaths – and don’t forget to check out the “deal of the day” via the link at the right of this post. Birds need our help more in winter than in warm weather months.

Feeders they located and count on for food during the summer will be important to their survival once cold temperatures arrive.

Duncraft is the leading resource for wild bird feeding products in the USA.

Since 1952, Duncraft has manufactured Duncraft brand bird feeders, mails the Duncraft catalog nationwide and its www.duncraft.com website offers hundreds of the best wild bird and nature-related gifts, birdfeeders, bird foods, pest solutions and garden décor.

I’ve been watching the leaves fall from the trees just as they do about this time each year. The most obvious thoughts are that raking needs to be done and winter is on its way. But yesterday I had a third thought as I noticed how much more of things I can see and hear once foliage is gone.

Most people don’t pay any attention to trees and if they think at all about the leaves it is only to take a quick appreciation of fall color. But what about the noise abatement and cooling leaves provide? What about the bit of privacy they can provide between houses or between busy roadways and residential areas?

What is the overall effect of removing a large block of trees from an environment?

If you’ve ever walked from a heavily shaded area into the bright sun and heat of an asphalt parking lot you will know – if you took a second to actually think about it. What if you had a look at the aerial view of a Google Map from 15 years ago of a suburban area (if they were available,) and then looked at the same map now. How many formerly treed areas have been completely cleared – leaving yet another wide open parking lot or a new subdivision – where they will no doubt plant a few new trees?

I’m not pondering this because I have no paint to watch dry or because I am going into some global warming post – although I do think we are destroying huge portions of this planet. There are plenty of municipal areas that consider the importance of “green space” and plenty of people who will only relocate to an area that has an abundance of it. On the other hand, people who live in urban areas hardly even see a tree – unless it’s in some sort of exhibit or if it is one of those lone and hardy stragglers you see – attempting to grow up and through a concrete sidewalk.

In a world that seems to have gone so completely stupid in some ways I think today I will just ponder trees. They provide a service most don’t appreciate, they never whine or complain, and they just continue doing a good job of making the world a better place – as long as someone doesn’t come along and knock them down.

There are certainly worse things to think about.

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!

Looks like it is hot and muggy enough this August in North Carolina to prompt some new visitors to the Hummingbird feeder:

These two butterflies hovered around the feeder for nearly an hour. One seemed to get the understanding of how to get to the juice a lot faster than the other!

Caught a view of this little visitor early this morning checking out the “breakfast bar” at a local Magnolia…

There were about eight of them just meandering around – Cato was a bit surprised to see them trotting along the fence line!

Happy Sunday!