Keeping such a vast estate up to date in every area, is quite an upkeep.
But it is oh so rewarding to see HAPPY BIRDS around.
Bird Feeder with plexiglass front and back so we can see how much they ate...
Dried Mealworms with some sunflower seeds and other bird feed mixed in.
Pieter did start purchasing these dried mealworms for the baby birds from our Eastern Phoebe end of May, that had a nest in our front porch. See post below.
The Carolina Wrens go in there often, pick out one worm and hack it to pieces somewhere on a tree trunk.
We left the thick slice of the oak tree's stump on the ground—for that purpose.
Also the perfectly sawn off oak tree trunk serves as a feeding table for lots of birds—and squirrels of course.
But they too have to live... We saw one with a severe bot fly warbles under its skin—the dreaded Cuterebra emasculator Fitch.
Pieter leaves peanuts in the shell for the squirrels and sunflower seeds.
Are you feeding birds and using dried mealworms as well?
{Umbrella Pole Recycled into Bird Feeder Post} | previous post by me
Eastern Phoebe Reside in Front Porch with Babies | previous post by me
We do feed birds, but with commercial bird seed. I am a bit phobic about worms of any kind, so I guess mealworms are out for me :) We also have a number of stumps cut off at ground level, and they look picturesque in their own way, and are usually used for some purpose by our frequent garden visitors.
ReplyDeleteDearest Patricia,
DeleteThis is all commercial bird seed what we use; including the DRIED mealworms. They are not alive—so no reason for being phobic 😉.
Yes, our garden visitors do appreciate such 'furniture' left for them to use!
Hugs,
Mariette
I feed birds with a mixture we buy containing various seeds and mealworms. The birds are clever and love gardening. Underneath the bird table they have planted lots of wheat which is now sprouting.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteThat is a clever mixture, here you have to buy them separate.
But ours also love gardening—that's what my next post is about 🤗.
Hugs,
Mariette
Si tienes muchos como este, tienes bastante trabajo. te felicito por tu buena labor.
ReplyDeleteBesos.
Querida Antónia,
DeleteAlimentamos a cinco gatitos, un pato, ardillas y pájaros y los pequeños murciélagos atrapan su propia comida por la noche ...🦇
Abrazos,
Mariette
That feeder is terrific! The meal worms, even dried, look gross, though. Ha. I don't feed the birds here, but would do so if I had a real property. It would be provide great photo ops! :-)
ReplyDeleteDearest Kim,
DeleteNo, those meal worms are just dried and very clean—and yummy for the birds!
Sure, with your limited outdoor space and your Derry kitty lounging there, that would be difficult.
Hugs,
Mariette
That's a good idea. We have seeds in the feeder. We tried dried larvae in the winter, but these birds of ours don't really know how to eat them. In the coming feeding season, we must also put larvae in if the birds learn to eat them.
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteFound this in my spam...
Mixing it in works really well and yes, they have to learn a different 'menu'...😏
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi, Mariette and Pieter!
ReplyDeleteI have to say we don't have bird feeders in our balconies, but that's something Nuno and I talked about some times.
We don't have squirrels here, but we do have a lot of pigeosn, seaguls, crows, sparrows and blackbirds, but because they have a park in front of our house, they have a lot of insects and seeds.
But it's definitelly something I want to have in the future, in this house or in the one we have been asking God to help us achieve one day!
:)
Dearest Paula,
DeleteWhile living in Italy, we had no bird feeders on our two balconies either.
Both of us love the very shy mourning doves that come to eat below our bird feeders and Pieter puts seeds on the ground for them to forage. But the big pigeons, seagulls and crows are gobbling up way too much... We do have the very large blue jay (not comparable to the European variety!) and I call them always the 'street boys'—so loud mouthed and greedy!
Having a park in front of your house is of course attracting lots of birds there.
Hugs,
Mariette
After I read and answered your post, I searched for birdhouses in stores near us and found some that were cute and not very expensive.
DeleteI'm not sure I want crows, seaguls and pigeons in our balcony, because they are a bit messy and poop the parapets, but we must not deny food to anyone!
Maybe one of these days, I'll post a picture of our new birdfeeders!
:D
🤗
DeleteWe enjoy feeding the birds, too. I don't know if we've ever tried meal worms. I'll have to ask my husband to get the birds a treat of mealworms.
ReplyDeleteDearest Debby,
DeleteYes, those mealworms are a great source of protein for our Eastern Phoebe, the Carolina Wren and also the Blue Birds or BB's I call them.
Hugs,
Mariette
We have taken a brief hiatus from feeding birds and squirrels because we were attracting robins which, in turn, were tearing up Danny's moss. Although I do miss my bird and squirrel friends, this seems to be working.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Mariette!
Dearest Martha Jane,
DeleteNo, we would not be able to live without our feathered friends.
Robins only are seen in winter time... not so much through the year.
Hugs,
Mariette
I live in an apartment and although there are many trees around the birds do not come to eat near us, there is some movement of cars and dogs.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Dearest Christina,
DeleteWell, too much traffic and even the noise of it, and also dogs, do disturb the birds' presence.
They love quiet places where they don't feel threatened.
Hugs,
Mariette
I live in a condo and the only birds we see are pigeons. They are a real nuisance as they poop everywhere. I am definitely not feeding them!
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings, dearest Mariette!
Dearest Veronica,
DeleteNO way, such 'poopers' are not to be supported in doing more damage! 😳
But at least you manage to post other birds on your beautiful blog—spotted elsewhere and far more exotic looking.
Hugs,
Mariette
rssss, gostei da "mesa de carvalho" para comerem,
ReplyDeleteaqui deixo comidinha para passarinhos em nossas janelas,
moramos no 10º andar. Pombos têm nas calçadas, pois há
um parque defronte e a rua é muito arborizada. Mas não é
bom alimentá-los, ihhh...há gente que solta comida deles, e
fica difícil caminhar. Se eu morasse numa casa, aí seria diferente.
Um bom fim de semana para vocês!
Abraços!
Querida Taís,
DeletePombos podem ser um verdadeiro incômodo! Mas só temos a doce e tímida pomba de luto e só no chão.
Adoramos ver nossos amigos emplumados tomando café da manhã ou qualquer refeição ou lanche que eles queiram.
Abraços,
Mariette