Friday, February 18, 2011

Great Backyard Bird Count 2011


The Great Backyard Bird Count is this weekend - February 18th through the 21st. I'm going to participate this year for my first time.

I've been a bird watcher since I was a little girl. I still have a bird book that my grandmother gave me in 1962.

There are so many birds at my feeders and around my property. I have open fields for the bluebirds, killdeer and flycatchers, and I've got lots of woods. Most everything I plant, I keep in mind if it will provide food or shelter for the birds. I feed the birds seed year 'round and sometimes put suet out for them.

There is a pair of pileated woodpeckers near by. They don't come on my property but I can hear them. They need dead trees to nest in. Unfortunately, some houses are being built near me and trees are being cut down. People seem to think that dead trees hold no value, but they are so wrong.

(Bird images from Google search)


I've got several eastern bluebirds that live on my property year round.





I've got some of these guys around too - the red bellied woodpecker.


To find out more information, go here. This would be a fun and educational thing to do with your kids or grandkids!

6 comments:

Laura said...

I just saw a pileated woodpecker a couple of days ago. I love seeing them fly down in our woods - they are so huge!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

My girlfriend in NC shares property with her parents where they've both build beautiful homes and there's a pileated woodpecker that visits their backyard. They are huge! We don't have any colorful birds around here. They are usually brown or black and I have no idea what they are (except for the pigeons and mourning doves). I have been surrounded by bird song all day long and that has been a beautiful thing along with the blue skies. Best wishes for your weekend. Tammy

Dmarie said...

except for the red-bellied, we might find any one of those birds in our yard on any given day here in Kentucky. They sure add lovely color to a winter-bare tree!

Anna/Flowergardengirl said...

Thank you for stopping by my website @flowergardengirl.com

I just went today and got a bluebird nesting box. I've seen them visiting and the park beside my home is full of them. I will feed them well if they come.

Nice to meet you.

helen said...

someone had a great backyard...we get a few blue jays and some bush tits!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Bluebirds don't live here year round but they are back in their little house now and I was so glad to see them! blessings, marlene