This story begins any year in Spring.  Seems the birds think my home is fair game when it comes to building a nest to reproduce little birds.

Activity Spring 2013

This Spring, 2013, was particularly active.  The battle of the birds versus 524 S. Main Street began.  Mrs. Robin decided she would build her nest behind a downspout.  When I noticed this happening, I would take my broom and bring all her building material down.  Fortunately, she never finished building the nest and, after a few days, she gave up so I thought!

The next discovery was on a large star hanging outside in a front porch window .  The owner was rather slow in removing this Christmas decoration and when removal did occur, low and behold, another nest.  I think it was Mrs. Cardinal this time.  The nest had eggs in it and was carefully removed and placed in a very nearby tree.  Storing the nest in the basement until next Christmas season was not an option.

Following the last episode, a nest was found in a hanging basket of artificial flowers on the back porch/deck.  I couldn’t identify who the guilty bird was this time, but carefully moved the nest into a pine tree on the neighbor’s property.  That nest did not make it.  Either the wind or a squirrel knocked it to the ground. I felt remorse until I thought about what happens when the nest is not removed to be explained later.

Mrs. Robin ended up winning this battle.  She built a nest on a post support for my back porch/deck unnoticed by me (I was probably engrossed in digging dandelions) and she finished the nest, sat on the egg or eggs and they hatched.  When the nest was discovered yesterday, standing on a chair, the little pink, fuzzy babies could be viewed.  Mrs. Robin scolded but as soon as I left, she showed up with food for her little ones.

The Battle Continues

Why do the birds prefer my house?  I don’t have any feeders and haven’t put my bird bath out as yet this year.  Last year, I blasted a radio on my back porch for several days to deter any feathered friends from building a nest.  The event caused my neighbors to wonder about my sanity.  Anyway, the birdies have some poor potty habits.  They do not care if they hit your windows or the floor of your deck or porch.  There is plenty of cover in the area surrounding my house that they should not have difficulty finding a nice tree.  And so the Spring battle will continue next year.

Explore This Site:

Types of Bird Baths
Your Bird Bath Garden
Attract Birds
Clean Your Bird Bath
Ideas For Your Own Bird Bath Garden
Meditate

Last year and this year, I have occasionally heard, but not seen, a bird that resembles two notes on a flute, a high note to a lower note, just two notes.  This spurred my curiosity so I decided to find out which bird I have been listening to.

Search For Answers

I spent most of one day listening to bird songs trying to identify this bird.  The conclusion is that the bird is a thrush but I am still not certain as to which one.  It only sends two notes while the sounds on the recordings seem to have three notes or more.  Because I live in Wisconsin, an area with many woodlands, I have to assume that my bird is a wood thrush.

Thrush Education

Thrushes have many voices as I have learned.  Identification is difficult.  Unless viewed up close, their appearance seems to blend into their habitat, thus, making them fairly unnoticeable except for witnessing their song.  The males are the singers.  The bird is related to the Robin.

Food And Migration

Thrushes feed on berries, worms, beetles and other insects. They are migrating and currently studies are active as to migration locations and other interesting data about the thrush.

Musical

Perhaps, our musical instrument, the flute, was modeled after the thrush because of the variations in its song.  Bird songs and music have become a twosome more recently as many music recordings now include singing birds.  Read more about physical bird matched with song here:

Resources:
Wood Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Technorati Tags: hermit thrush, thrush, wood thrush

Guest Post

The options for garden fountains, which could be used in combination, include vertical water jets, inclined water jets, interacting water sprays, mist sprays, bubble fountains, dripping fountains and sculpture fountains. Fountains include giant designs you find in public squares and parks to the miniature table top models. All consist of the same primary features, a basin to gather the water, a pump and a spout with either single or multiple jets. One plumber who also knew a lot about the railway sleepers and garden soil provided the following information.

Materials Used And Types Of Garden Fountains

Even if every fountain looks like they’re made out of stone or concrete, a few are actually made from fiberglass or plastic resin.  They’re more compact and much easier to handle, however, frequently won’t be as durable as those produced with real stone.  Garden fountains are offered in two common types, freestanding or wall mounted.  You’ll find a huge range of styles of every sort to fit every preference.  A wall fountain can be perfect for those who have only a small amount of space; a freestanding design will give you a focal point in your garden.

Create Serenity

Waterfalls provide serenity.  A popular problem with landscapes is they seem too far removed from nature.  One terrific solution to solve this condition is to install a waterfall.  The trickle of the water over rocks can give your lawn a serene and natural sound and appearance and draw birds.  If you’d choose not have a pond to match your waterfall, then there are several types of low-maintenance, pondless waterfalls out there to suit your choice.  A high, stylish fountain is the best way to round out any landscape layout and to add a peaceful sound to your garden.  If you have an awful day and need to reflect, it’s highly therapeutic just to sit down in your favorite spot, shut your eyes, and listen to the relaxing sounds of your fountain.  Garden fountains really create peaceful sounds.

The Calming Effect

Fountains seem to have a lot of popularity among us.  We’ve all experienced the relaxing effects of water at one time or another.  From a mother turning on the faucet to quiet her baby, to young kids running to look at a fountain, to an adult looking at a waterfall or listening to the ocean; the sound of moving water calms the ears of us all and is also irresistible to watch.  Water has a calming influence on most of us, especially infants and young children.  Garden fountains capture the interest of adults and children alike in a soothing manner. With a fountain placed in your garden, your outdoor living space will immediately be a place you patronize everyday to wind down, relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Read More: Meditate Around A Fountain Bird Bath

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Mosquitoes, Ants and Cockroaches

Through the spring and summer pests such as ants, cockroaches and mosquitoes can easily develop into an actual nuisance where natural pest management knowledge would be very helpful.  Most of us react to this inconvenience by stocking up on pesticides and applying them to do battle. Sad to say, the chemicals in insecticides can be pretty harmful, particularly when they absorbed into the skin while these are still wet.  Insecticides are notably hazardous to small children, older individuals, pets and birds.  Hence, avoid exposing small children, pets, birds and elderly people to chemical pesticides.  Fortunately, there are a variety of viable options when it comes to all-natural pest control.  For people who want more information about pest management, garden services or garden maintenance, you can consult a gardener for advice.

Pest Management -Mosquitoes

You will be able to manage the volume of mosquitoes as well as other bugs (includes flying) in your garden using natural garden pest management measures. The very first task you need to do is remove any standing water.  Planting lemon grass and marigolds works wonders for repelling mosquitoes because they dislike the odor.  To repel from the skin, stop mosquitoes from biting by applying lemon juice.  The odor of citrus lemon juice is another repellent mosquitos cannot tolerate.  People that spend a lot of time outdoors through the summer months testify that Avon Skin-So-Soft mixed with rubbing alcohol will also deter mosquitoes.  Other all-natural pest controls for mosquitoes incorporate citronella and garlic.  Placing sage or rosemary all around your property and, then burning it, will provide a mosquito-free yard.

Pest Management – Ants

It is inexplicably disturbing to view a trail of ants on the kitchen floor, cabinets, or on any food item but they can also be removed without the use of harsh chemical pesticides which can even contaminate your food.  Among the very best natural pest controls for ants is really an uncomplicated spray bottle full of soapy water.  Ants also have an aversion to certain spices such as mint, cloves, black pepper, cinnamon and cayenne pepper.  If you soak paper in these herbs and place the paper where the ants typically enter your property it should be enough to deter them.  Other organic pest controls for ants involve lemon or citrus oil, cucumber, coffee grounds and vinegar.  Naturally, leaving any crumbs or open food sources in your house are an invitation for these critters to invade.

Boric acid can be used to ward off ants.  It naturally is a mineral by the name of sassolite.  The two forms of boric are crystals and powder.  It is water soluable.  Boric acid can also be used to deter cockroaches.

Pest Management – Cockroaches

Cockroaches are certainly the most revolting of all household pests.  There exists a little something specifically creepy in regards to the way they shift from location to location.  Pest management is a little more difficult for roaches.  Like ants, cockroaches are tempted by crumbs or any open food including the disposed of packaging which has not been thoroughly sealed. Therefore, it is important continuously to handle food properly and avoid problems.   There are quite a few natural pest controls for cockroaches.  For example, cat nip does not hurt people or pets but cockroaches hate the stuff. They also despise soapy water, bay leaves and cucumber slices.   A lot of people combine baking soda with sugar inside the home to eliminate cockroaches. Cockroaches appreciate sugar but baking soda upsets their stomachs and inevitably kills them.  Cockroaches cannot survive climates where temperatures drop below freezing.

Pest management in your garden and home is really important for overall cleanliness and health.  All of the pests discussed here can cause some gigantic health problems but usually not death if you are bitten.  Most of the remedies suggested here are non-poluting to our wonderful earth, preserving our planet for future generations.