Words On Birds 6-12-26

 

     Father’s Day is a little more than a week away on Sunday, June 21.  Some of you might still be procrastinating over what to get the Dad in your life. A feeder that deters squirrels is always a good choice as it will help to lower Dad’s blood pressure if he is constantly stressing about the squirrels eating all of his bird seed. Of course, if you get him a feeder that stops the squirrels, Dad might put on a few more pounds from the lack of exercise of getting up and chasing the squirrels away. He also won’t be lifting those bags of seed to fill the feeders as often. But he will be happier.

 

     There are several good feeders on the market that work effectively. The line of “Squirrel Buster” feeders use a weighted system that closes off the food supply when a squirrel gets on. They now have a wide range of models to suit every budget with proven effectiveness against squirrels. Some have adjustable springs so you can lighten the feeder enough to also discourage heavier birds like pigeons or grackles.

 

     Squirrel Busters also have a peanut feeder for shelled peanuts that allow woodpeckers, nuthatches, and titmice to feed, but close off the peanuts to marauding squirrels. They also have a finch feeder for Nyger (thistle)  and finch mix seed. Squirrel Buster even makes a feeder for suet. Some Dads have switched to plain or hot pepper suet to discourage squirrels, but the Squirrel Buster Suet allows woodpeckers and most other birds to feed on any suet and shuts off access to marauding squirrels.

 

     Other feeders that help Dad deter squirrels include the green box type “Absolute” feeders, which do well ninety percent of the time (or less, depending upon the IQ of the squirrels in your yard.). The long perch allows all size birds to perch and feed, but is counter-weighted causing the squirrel’s weigh to shut off the food supply. There is also a two-sided spring-loaded model.

 

      Perhaps squirrels are not a problem in Dad’s yard, or he has them beat with a good squirrel baffle on a pole system. Maybe Dad’s life can be made easier by getting him a new feeder that is easier to clean. Several manufacturers make feeders that are easier to clean. Aspects makes feeders that have bottoms that pop right off –no tools, no stress. They provide easy access to the bottom of the tube where mold and bacteria can sometimes form, making it the feeder quicker and easier to clean.

 

     Dad might prefer a bird house that requires even less work. Just mount and watch! The birds do all the work by building their own nest in the house, and they even clean it our occasionally when needed. Dad can just sit back and enjoy watching them raise THEIR family in the yard! (We do recommend cleaning out the bird house at the end of the season.) Birds will also use a house for roosting in the winter. Screech owls are particularly fun to see, sunning themselves in the hole on a winter’s day.

 

     If Dad enjoys coffee, you can give him a bag of shade grown coffee from Central and South America (saving trees benefit birds) and a mug with his favorite bird on it. If Dad enjoys wine, a ChirpyTop will sing to him as he pours. A fun gift!

 

     If Dad enjoys reading, there are many great books about birds and bird watching adventures – both local and afar. Updated identification guides are being released all the time as bird names change more often these days.

 

     There are all kinds of general gifts with bird themes. Tried and true are T-shirts, hats and socks for the fashionable Dad. Bird related jig saw puzzles and games are always great gifts and ones that he can share with the family.

 

     If Dad enjoys watching the birds, and the feeders are not close to the window or his favorite chair, (and maybe his eyes aren’t as sharp as they used to be), you might consider a pair of binoculars to bring those birds closer. Oh, he probably has his Dad’s old World War II binoculars that weigh a ton and require each eyepiece to focus separately. Maybe he even thinks those are good enough. But you can get him a good quality pair of lighter binoculars for not a lot of money these days.

 

     Most popular binoculars come in 8 and 10 power magnifications. Full-size binoculars are best for bird watching as they let in the most light. Smaller, compact binoculars are lighter and easier for Dad to put in his pocket for hiking, sports or concerts. Most binoculars are waterproof – important if Dad likes kayaking or birding from the pool. If Dad wears eyeglasses, certain binoculars might work better than others for him. Whatever binocular you choose will help enhance Dad’s enjoyment of birds and give him a closer look at their fascinating world.

 

     Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s out there!