Birds of the Week

I’m not much of a bird watcher. I always have bird feeders out, but I don’t know what I’m feeding other than blue jays, doves, cardinals, a bunch of little brown birds, and hummingbirds when they’re in season. I’m much better at identifying plants than identifying birds, but this year the goldfinches have caught my eye.

I’ve put out thistle for them before, but the only time I’ve had much luck is when I buy it from Wild Birds Unlimited. I actually made the trip out to the west side of town to buy bird seed and the goldfinches have paid me back by spending a lot of time at the thistle feeder.



The folks at Wild Birds Unlimited told me the way to know if your thistle (niger) is fresh (which is the only way the goldfinches like it) is to put a little between two sides of a folded paper towel. If there is a little oil on the paper towel, then it is fresh.

They have also been eating from my regular feeder which has Wild Birds Unlimited No-Mess blend.

I added another thistle feeder for them today. Hopefully they will find it tomorrow.

Here’s are some of my other visitors from this week.

Blue Jay

little brown birds :)

doves

more little brown birds :)

perhaps a House Finch? eating safflower

I know I mentioned Wild Birds Unlimited a lot in this post. That’s just because my birds really like their seed. I am not being compensated in any way for mentioning them.

Also, it may not have escaped your attention that my last two posts have been about wildlife and not about gardening. Well, what can I say? I’ve been taking it easy lately and it has been really cold outside. (when I say cold, keep in mind that I am from Texas)

However, this weekend was beautiful. I cleaned out the vegetable beds to get them ready for spring planting. I pruned the 3 in 1 peach tree, which is a whole other story. I also planted my new Tropic Snow peach tree and attempted to dig up an oleander to make room for my new 3 in 1 plum. But, there was a small matter of a nearby gas line that made me think twice, so that is to be continued after the gas man comes and marks the line.

Have a great week everyone!