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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-11-18, Page 13I c tAng KU 01rd, ,n1V.,11cr MIX & MATCH BIRD SEEDS Red/White Millets Niger Seed - Sunflower Seeds - Grey Stripe, Black Oil Sunflower Seeds - Peanuts (in shell & peanut hearts) - Mixed Wild Bird Seed Safflower Seed - Distlefinch Mix Bulk Bird Seed starting at only 45C/lb GOURMET WILD BIRD FEED BRUSSELS AGRI SERVICES LTD. located at Brussels Livestock 887-9391 1-877-887-9391 It's Cold Out... ...SO LET'S FEED OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS Q. salvos Sitk BIRD BELLS BIRD FEEDERS Boggle Bugs! THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2004. PAGE 13. Feedin becomes lifelong responsibility Although this may seem like an "I really enjoy it and I expensive little hobby, Boynton said probably never stop. I love my she is still glad that she started it. friends." SPARROWS & FINCHES OF THE GREAT LAKES REGION Beautiful colour photos help you identify the many varieties of sparrows and finches that may appear at your backyard feeder. lips on how to attract them. $16.95 Giving nature a hand Joan Bernard of Brussels is an avid bird fan and to help teed the little creatures during the cold winter months, she has several birdfeeders around her home and cottage. She demonstrates that when a bird lands on this feeder, the hatch opens giving just enough room that the birds can get food, but prevents squirrels from stealing it as they are too heavy for the feeder to support. (Elyse DeBruyn photo) FEEDING WILD BIRDS IN WINTER Brighten dull winter days by helping to attract colourful wild birds. $9.95 404 Queen St., Blyth 523-4792 1 outside restaurant. "I don't hang my laundry on the line anymore. The bird dirt lands all over my clothes. I learned that the hard way," Boynton said. Although they are big, magnificent creatures, Boynton said she isn't too _ fond of the hawks because they pick off the smaller birds that are eating. "They just swoop down and pick a bird off the feeder and I go running out waving my 'hands and yelling 'Get out of here'," Boynton laughed. "The poor mourning doves get hit all the time. Boynton said- this summer they had a little surprise as a pair of cardinals raised their young in a nearby tree. "I really liked watching them come down while the little ones were screaming until their little mouths are fed. Then they eventually came down themselves and that was amazing to watch." In Boynton's feeders, she- offers her flying friends a variety of Choices to ehoose from including black and striped sunflower seed, niger seed, peanuts and some millet. She said she has found that the birds don't like barley or corn, but unfortunately the squirrels try to eat it all the time. To stop this little problem her son put plastic piping around the birdhouse, making it 'nearly impossible for squirrels to climb in and steal the food. She feeds her birds once a day and so far this year she has purchased a 50-pound bag of mixed seed which costs $22 a bag, a 50-pound bag of sunflower seed, also costing $22 a bag and a 50-pound bag of niger seed that can cost up to $45. She said she will have to buy another bag of sunflower seed and mixed seed before the winter is over as well as a bag of niger seed. .14,404,kb OitG Birdfeed made here! Turn East at the main intersection' in Londesboro! BIRDFEEDERS, SHELTERS & BATHS From works of art to simple projects using materials around the house, this book provides instructions and ideas for everyone from craftsmen to children. $22.95 HAWKS & OWLS Of the Great Lakes Region Beautiful colour photographs and information on the hunting birds of our region from the American Kestrel, our smallest falcon to snowy owls. $16.95 Continued from page 12 One of her main reasons for continuing this 20-year hobby, aside from pure enjoyment, is a sense of responsibility. "I feel responsible for these birds now. Once you start, they become dependent on your feed and if you stop many will starve," said Boynton. "In the summer it's different because there is plenty for them to eat and I don't need to put as much out, but there are those lazy ones that come back to the feeder." Bernard agreed with Boynton, saying that through the many books she has read, she has learned that birds can be "stupid." "They become reliant on our feeders and if I were to stop they wouldn't really know where to go for more," said Bernard. Boynton said it was almost impossible for her to choose a 'favourite bird because each species has its own unique quality that she loves. - "Some have beautiful calls, some have amazing colours like indigo buntings and I just love to watch their flight. I love them all," said Boynton. - At her Morris-Turnberry cottage, Bernard said she sees several different types of birds including blue jays, cardinals, finches, juncos and woodpeckers. "One of my favourites to watch is the rose-bellied nuthatch because they are so cute. They hang upside down, playing and singing a little song," said Bernard. Boynton said, over the years and a lot of reading, she has become familiar with the different flight patterns and calls that the birds have and while she is sitting in her living room watching, she said she can tell which type is stopping by. "It's so interesting to watch, 1 could sit there for hours, watching and listening," said Boynton. However, there are some drawbacks to having such a popular See theae and attiet gteat 5aalia at: The Citizen 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 887-9114 '1, Squirrel-proof Birdfeeders! Reeking fa* the petfect gift? Come to Nature's Nest in Londesboro for a wonderful selection of: • Birdfeeders of ALL types • Custom Birdfeed Mixes • Rustic Garden Decor 5antaatic ideicta (o tile natufte taw/. an veut (la! Lifetime Warranty Feeders! Garden Weather Statues! Vanes! will little (519) 523-4399 naturesnest@bmts.com Tim & Jenn Elliott WILD SIRDFEEDING ea. CARDEN! ACCESORIEI