Search Results for: blog identifying backyard birds mourning doves

How to Have a Campfire in the Backyard

Having a cozy campfire in the backyard is a great way to have a low-cost and fun activity that can be adapted for kids or adults. Have a campfire as a family activity, or invite the neighbors and friends for a nice social gathering. The first thing you need to do when planning to have a campfire in the backyard is to know what the rules are for open burning and campfires in your town. Some areas allow free open burning of organic material (including wood), while others limit the time of year, time of day, the size of the … Continue reading →

10 Fall Plants that Attract the Birds: Part 4

This morning, the kids and I hunted around the yard for pine cones. We wanted to slather them with peanut butter and roll them in birdseed as a Thanksgiving feast for the birds that visit us. Unfortunately, it looks like the squirrels might have gotten to them all, because there was not a single pine cone to be found, including the one that served outside of one of our fairy houses. Still, there are other ways of attracting the birds. I have been mentioning different fall plants that will work. We are now at the end of this list. Here … Continue reading →

10 Fall Plants that Attract the Birds: Part 3

Thanks to some of our fall plants and trees, and the inclusion of a large window bird feeder, our view out of our window is not lacking for the number of birds. The little things are always pleasant to watch, and their antics are enjoyable. Did you know that the plants that you add to your landscaping can greatly impact the number and type of birds that visit? If you missed the earlier posts on this topic click here: 10 Fall Plants that Attract the Birds and 10 Fall Plants that Attract the Birds: Part 2. 5. Perennial Sunflowers This … Continue reading →

10 Fall Plants that Attract the Birds: Part 2

In my household, the kids are just as excited to watch the birds outside of our dining room window as they are to watch television. I kid you not. Fall is when they put on the very best show. We have a large bird feeder, as well as some plants that tend to attract a colorful array of birdie personalities. In this series, I’ll be sharing some of the best plants (and trees) that attract birds in the fall. If you missed the first post, just click here. 3. Elderberry When I first spotted the elderberry on our property, I … Continue reading →

10 Fall Plants that Attract the Birds

Now that fall is here, we have been enjoying the cardinals for whom the pine tree outside of our dining room window appears to be particularly comforting. These bright red birds with the black masks are always a treat to enjoy, especially when they show off their colors against the green pine needles or the white winter snow that is sure to fall sometime in the next month or so. If you want to attract cardinals and other birds that may be visiting in the fall, consider providing them with a birdie buffet of all of their favorite plants. These … Continue reading →

Introducing Babies to Birds

Perhaps it is the fact that my mother used to call me a Butterball turkey (I was a fat baby) or the many references to feathering one’s nest in preparation for a child or having a nesting instinct, but I have always seen an association between babies and birds. Both are delicate creatures that are tiny, cute and can make a lot of noise. Introducing your baby to birds can be a fun and educational experience for you both. Through birds, you can introduce the following concepts: Colors from a bright red cardinal to a dull brown mourning dove, brilliant … Continue reading →

Identifying Backyard Birds: Mourning Doves

In the previous article, I shared the antics of our backyard cardinals, very regal birds, in my opinion. Now I’ll talk about another visitor to our backyard. This is one (well, many) bird that is really king of the bird feeder. All of the other birds make way. The mourning doves that come to visit our bird feeder are are gray-brown color. They aren’t much to look at as far as appearance, but they still entertain us with their antics. Perched in the trees, they often snuggle up to each other. And now that spring is on its way, we’ve … Continue reading →

Home Week in Review: March 10 – 16

This week, we went from “talking trash” to discussing Spring Cleaning. Did you miss any of these? Reducing Your Trash By reducing the amount you waste, you can save money (if you pay per bag or pound of disposal) and do something good for the environment. Here are some ideas to help you reduce your garbage… Don’t miss part two and part three. Yard Work… Now? Is it time to start yard work already? It may seem a bit early, especially if your weather is still a little unpredictable, but there are some things you can begin doing now… Things … Continue reading →