Can you have a Big Day? A good wildlife garden can have a lot of action on a good day, no bird feeder required.
Mockingbirds arrive several times per day, landing in the birch to survey the area, then descending into the holly bush to gobble a couple of berries. He only takes two or three berries at a time, then flies off.
These finches sit and talk in the upper branches of the river birch.
They explore the branches, but there’s nothing for them to eat here at this time of year.
So they head for the crape myrtle trees, where it seems that they have developed a taste for the seeds, held in capsules at the tips of the branches.
Meanwhile, back on the birch, a woodpecker searches for insects under the peeling bark.
Early morning is a good time for drinking and bathing. Birds never just head for the fountain. There could be a predator lurking nearby! So, they light on a nearby tree, then move to a dead branch placed over the fountain for their comfort, then touch the water. They immediately fly back to a branch to take another look. Once they’re comfortable, they head for the water for a quick drink and a bath.
The fountain is just a modified pot, filled with 3/4″ crushed rock that serves as a biofilter, the top just beneath the water is small river pebbles. Birds prefer shallow water for bathing, and the pebbles let them judge the water depth – and give the top of the fountain a more natural look.
At times, the entire surface of the fountain is covered with birds, with others perched nearby to await their turn. It’s kind of like people at a major sale event, with pushing, shoving and squawking.