Cypress Gardens

I had the day off and used some of it to go explore Cypress Gardens. It is such a beautiful park with a swamp, forest, butterfly pavilion, and aquarium. I heard so many birds but had a hard time spotting them all. Again, the whole needing some glasses thing. Fortunately my camera caught a couple of neat things. Nothing to unusual but none the less still some good shots. Here are a few of the birds I saw...to see more pictures of my visit to Cypress Gardens take a look at my other blog!

Female Cardinal

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Tufted Titmouse

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Vulture (turkey vulture)

What I believe to be a Hermit Thrush...Anybody??

White Throated Sparrow

Downy Woodpecker

Inside of the butterfly pavilion they had a stunningly beautiful male wood duck and a naturally beautiful painted bunting.

Male Wood Duck

Male Painted Bunting

We get painted bunting in Charleston during the summer time. When people first see them they often think that someones pet got loose. Truth is they can be quite common around here and are not domestic birds at all. They usually get to Charleston around May and stay till September or so. They are so pretty and people that get them coming to their feeders should consider themseleves very lucky!

Feeding Safflower

Hello Fellow Birders,

I have recently had several people inquiring about Safflower. It is one of the stores best selling seeds! Unfortunately, due people demanding more natural cooking and beauty products the demand for Safflower has gone way up. Safflower oil is sold in many grocery stores typically in the organic or all natural section of the cooking oils. It is also put in lots of natural lotions, soaps, and make-up. When the demand for this sky rocketed so did the price.

So, if it is an expensive alternative to plain sunflower seed then why use it? Safflower has been known to deter several pesky feeder birds as well as squirrels. Now, keep in mind that we are talking about mother nature and anything is possible. Grackles are the most common problem bird at feeders. They are big and not very pretty. They can also be territorial and feed in flocks therefore they can take over a feeding station easily and clean out your feeders in just hours. Grackles least favorite seed is Safflower. Safflower can usually be used as a wonderful deterent for these birds.

Squirrels also don't care for Safflower. I am very aware that squirrels will eat anything including your "screened in porch" but trust me if you have Safflower seed or sunflower seed side by side I can 99% guarantee that they will eat the sunflower seed before the safflower seed. It is simply not their prefered seed.

Many people claim that their squirrels love safflower seed! Naturally if there is scarce food options they will eat safflower. It has also been said that you must be patient when you put it out. Each squirrel will most likely taste it before they decide they are not a fan. Others have stated that safflower is an aquired taste and after time anything will eat it.

Most all smaller birds enjoy safflower, chickadees, titmice, house finches, cardinals, and more. Woodpeckers and bluejays are not big fans and you will rarely see them eat safflower.

Safflower is not a miracle solution but I have heard enough good things about it in my career at the bird store that I feel confident enough to suggest it to people as a last resort.

Goldfinches in the Coastal Carolinas

Goldfinches are a beautiful, vibrant, bright yellow colored birds that can be found around the Coastal Carolina regions only during the winter. The map below shows their full range. (map taken from allaboutbirds.org).

They arrive in the Coastal Carolina Regions around Thanksgiving and typically exhaust natural food sources before heading to the feeders. You will usually start seeing several Goldfinches at your feeder around January of February. I think this greatly depends on natural food sources and your region but here in Charleston this seems to generally be the case.

Goldfinches eat thistle, niger, or nyger (all three are the same). This seed is a tiny black seed that usually requires a special "thistle feeder". What alot of people don't know about this seed is that it goes bad very quickly. It is important that you change your thistle seed out after 2 weeks if it has gotten wet and you are not having much bird activity to the feeder. Thistle seed can get a very fine mold on it that is hard for us to see but the Goldfinches will pass your feeder up if your seed is contaminated with it.

Some advice for keeping you seed fresh is to only fill your feeder about 1/3 of the way  until you start getting Goldfinches. This way, if you have to dump out your seed to replace it with fresh seed you will not be wasting an enitre feeder full. Purchasing a higher quality feeder or a weather guard for your feeder may also help keep your thistle seed fresh.

Here is a picture of a Goldfinch I saw feeding in Kentucky over the summer. Keep in mind that Goldfinches are more of an olive, brown color when they first arrive in the coast of the Carolinas.

Male Goldfinches can be indentified from other birds because of their vibrant yellow color (during spring and summer months), the black patch on their head, black tail, and distinctive black wings with white wing bars.

The female Goldfinch is less vibrant, and more olive in color. They have no black forehead, have brown wings, and a white rump.

For more information on Goldfinch visit these links:

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/id

http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods/photos/goldfinch.htm

I would love to hear from you if you have an interesting Goldfinch story or picture you would like to share! E-mail me at blissfulshutter@yahoo.com!

To feed the birds or not to feed the birds

Feeding wild birds is an incredible way to get involved with the outdoors and help mother nature out a little. So many natural resources birds rely on have been destroyed and they depend on feeders to make it through tough times. Think about it, sunflower seed is the #1 seed for seed eating birds. Almost all seed eating birds enjoy it and let's face it...how often do you really see fields of sunflowers. Now sure sunflower seeds are not all they eat but you get what I am saying.

Feeding birds is quite simple. You can purchase a good quality birdfeeder that will last you years and years and a decent seed blend to satisfy a variety of birds. This is the basics. The joy that you can get from birdfeeding can be very fulfilling as well. Seeing a new bird at your feeder or watching them become accustom to you can become quite a thrill. They are like an outdoor pet that doesn't require vet visits, medication, walks, and you can leave town whenever you'd like.

Are there downsides to birdfeeding? Sure. Like any hobby there is a small cost. Keeping your feeders full means you will have to buy seed on a regular basis and occasionally you may want to buy a new feeder. This cost is quite small compared to some other hobbies, think about the cost of boating!

Another problem may be outdoor pest. Some people consider squirrels and raccoons quite a nuisance. Well, being in the birding business I have heard the complaints and all the crazy stories about what squirrels and raccoons can and can't do. I can tell you that YES they are very persistent and very smart. What else does a squirrel have to do all day but figure out a way to get food? I know that with the proper feeder, pole, or food these pest can be beat! (We will save all that for another post)

Afraid of seed growing in your yard? There are solutions for that as well. Try a No-Mess seed blend that has been shelled or bake your seed so it can no longer grow. Some people get discouraged if they only get the "bigger birds" or the "ugly birds". This can be a bit trickier but talk to a birding proffesional in your area and I am sure they can work out a solution for you.

Imagine getting brightly colored cardinals, goldfinches, blujays, warblers, and more coming to your yard every morning. Watch them pluck a tiny seed from your feeder and shell it using only their beak. Hear their song awaking you in the morning rather than your pesky alarm. Bird feeding can indeed be such a rewarding hobby!

This is just the very basic of birdfeeding and I mean VERY basic. If you still aren't sure continue to check my blog out regularly. I will post interesting birding experiences, tips and advice, and pictures.