eBirdseed.com Wild Bird Feeding Blog

Hi,

Thought we might take a 'bird-less-traveled' track this time... Take a look at the pics below...

There's a common theme here -- that of doing it yourself. The top shot is of homemade brew, and the one below is of a glimpse into our dining area. Aside from cost savings and getting just what you want, there's something comforting in DIY -- "Yeah, I made it or put it together myself..." There's no buck passing here. Obviously, this isn't the first time we've discussed taking on a project without hands-on professional help... There was the shed, the trellis, a farm table, a birdhouse, and even a Shaker clock... (I really should finish that clock...) Years ago I bought 'Buehler's Backyard Boatbuilding', and was struck by the preface... Part of it follows...

Somewhere our culture seems to have lost that spark of imaginative energy that created it. I was thinking recently that I can't remember the last tree house I've seen. Why don't high school kids build 'rods anymore? And why do so many people stand around with their mouths open, afraid to try anything unless they first take a socially-approved class to tell them how?

How, in just a few generations, did this country's soul go from folks who walked, rode horses, and dragged wagons clear across our continent, to a majority who spend most of their time staring at teevees; whose feeling of self worth is based more on income than on personal accomplishment?

When I asked Mr. Buehler if I could quote that, he emailed back permission in a colorful sort of way. But he has a point...

What is stopping you from measuring out your own yard and house and making a scale model complete with trees, a pool, a shed, and whatnot? Maybe your architect already has all that info. (We got a copy when we bought this house.) Then there's Google earth. But once you have the dimensions...

To make things easy, you might consider modeling in one of the more common scales such as N, HO, S, or O (1:160; 1:87; 1:64; 1:48 respectively) and in doing so have access to existing accessories. Or, you can design/build to your own scale (I build all my boat models to 1:27 because they fit easily on the mantle or the bookshelf that way.) With model done, you can experiment with feeder/birdbath/birdhouse locations to your heart's desire. And you don't even have to be limited by medium -- use paper, plywood, clay, or software like Sketchup... The variety of choices go on and on...

Just thinking for myself, and hoping you're doing the same...

By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 5:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi,

Well, 'tis the time to start thinking about building birdhouses, roosts, etc. As I already have my hands full in that department, I thought I'd just throw in some basic woodworking math that will come in handy regardless of the endeavor...

Might as well cut to the chase -- how to handle that age old dilemma of, "What's the cheapest purchase of wood for a given need? (Do I buy a 12' 1X6 or a 6' 1X12? What happens when I start ripping lumber/sheet goods? How do I calculate the effect of the blade kerf etc.?") Alrighty then... Here's your answer short and sweet:

1. Draw out what you want. In the pic below, I'm anticipating ripping a sheet of 4X8 plywood into three equal widths ("X") for the sides of a boat...



Since the total usage will be three "X" and two saw kerfs, the fence setting on the saw needs to reflect this equation: 3X plus two kerf (or blade widths) equals to 48"

2. Next, I measure the blade thickness (with the saw unplugged) to give me the kerf. In my case, that equates to 1/8" or .125"
3. So... 3X plus .250" is going to have to total 48"... Or 3X = 47.75"... Or our mystery width "X" is 47.75" divided by three... That is "X" is 15.91667". Wonderful... How do I measure .91667" and set the rip fence accordingly??? Check the table below...



(Click on the above to see full screen...)

It turns out that 15.91667" is pretty close to 15 & 29/32". Set your fence to that, and you'll be well nigh to spot on... When you're done, just re-set the fence to the narrowest slice, and a couple clean-up passes will make all equal with only a smidgen of sawdust to tell the tale....

And that's it... I use this sort of calculation on virtually every project ... from crow trays to water craft.... Hope this make sense...

I'll be by the feeders making sawdust...

CapeCodAlan

P.S. If you really want to have fun, pick up a digital caliper from one of the woodworking outlets to measure the kerf... Yee haw!

P.P.S. Don't tell Mrs. CCA, but I've started building another boat... As long as we keep this on the 'hush hush', I don't think she'll notice a 16' sailboat taking shape in the garage...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi,

Last time we talked, I had just brought down our "old faithful" streaming backyard webcam... Increased security measurements on my end (not eBirdseed.com's) unfortunately required that I take the poor thing offline. So now what?

Well... Glad you asked! For some time now, I've been talking about bringing this vid down, and starting anew. And here we are... Before we get started, a word about major projects in general (let alone establishing a new live video feed 24X7...) Take it from a well-tempered engineer and boatbuilder - look at the big picture first and then dwell down into the details while at the same time not losing sight of the persnickety gotcha's that crop up along the way. That being said, I like to hand-draw a rough outline just as a starting point...

That doesn't look so bad... The signal comes off the camera, passes through a buried "active" USB cable (to bust the 16' limitation), is absorbed by the kitchen PC, which then passes it on via our network to the router and ultimately our cable modem and the fog of the Web. What could go wrong? The next thing you know, you'll be watching our backyard birds live. Anywho, that's the "Big Picture", and it seems basically sound right now. But... There are other considerations... Here are the preliminaries without getting too tangled in the "persnicketies":

• Cost...
• What equipment will be required? (The new stuff is truly remarkable!)
• How to bury a cable...
• And then there's the matter of wind rain and snow...
• The stream should have some degree of mobility...
• And finally who will we use to host this puppy?

Yes, I've looked at all of those, and have some ideas... But that's for next time...

'Til then, see you by the feeders Cecil B...

CapeCodAlan

P.S. Did I ever tell you about our word search contest???

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First, about the comments,

We've had a bit of a snag when it comes to comments. (We're jumping ugly on that issue! Not to worry... Keep sending your thoughts - I do receive them and will respond!) And here are two comments that have gone unanswered:

Hi Alan, I was thinking of you as Earl gets closer to your neck of the woods. Please be safe .....

kathryn

And...

Good morning CCA.
Mr. Earl is passing me today but leaving huge 10ft. high ocean swells.
I'm wishing you and the Mrs. safe harbor. Be careful. Forecasts
predict winds approaching you Sat. AM to be much less than they are today, so I hope it
won't be too bad. As soon as you can, let us know how it's going after it passes.
Good luck.
Cheers
Harry "Gipper" Morris

Thank you both so much for your concern... It truly means a lot to me and the Mrs... As you probably guessed, we came through unscathed...

Now... about recycling!

There's an old poem that celebrates Yankee thrift...

Use it up, wear it out,
Make it do, or do without.

These days, we might add another verse...

Once worn out, don't turn it loose,
Put it to another use. (Burma Shave)

Ever wonder what to do with that old grill? Here's an example of putting something "to another use". Late last summer, our ancient grill was pretty much on its last legs; we had replaced the innards several times, and it was clearly time for a new one. Once the new fire box was up and running however, what to do with the old one?

We started by putting it by the side of the road with a "FREE" sign on it. Understandably, there were no takers. So it languished beside the garage for nearly a year, with both of us always planning on taking it to the dump... eventually.

"Eventually" never quite rolled around, so we decided to figure out how to turn the thing to some other use... But what for? Well, since we are fair gardeners, how about trying to make a planter out of it? After all, it's a good big basin, it already has drainage holes, and it's on a semi-sturdy base.

So on a sunny afternoon, we pulled the beast from beside the garage down into the yard, disassembled it, and scraped off several years' worth of accumulated grease, grime, and rust (nasty!). What we ended up with was a jumbo, wheeled, clean pot ready for foliage.

We then cast around for some large rocks to add as a layer at the very bottom. On top of those, we added a layer of smaller stone (a leftover bag of marble chips). The larger rocks mostly block the holes in the bottom where the grill workings went in, and the smaller ones give a base for dirt; and they also provide drainage. We then smoothed the rocks and stones to end up with this:

Next, we added a layer of dirt (a combination of old potting soil and topsoil) and ended up with a large, well-drained space for potted flowers.

Once a few plants were put in place (we recycled some sad geraniums, and picked up a few pansies and a gorgeous impatiens at the Labor Day sale at a local nursery), the result was a one-of-a-kind movable container garden. Like this:

The great thing is that as the season wanes, we can simply wheel the whole cart to a new location for more sun.

Hmmm, now, what should we do with the big old cover to this grill? Maybe a water garden!

See you by those blooming feeders,

CapeCodalan and Mrs. CapeCodAlan

P.S. This entry has been cross posted with thriftyyankee.net.

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 8:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Alrighty then... Enough disaster and global economics! Back to the birds...

A question came up concerning types of suet. First, quite frankly, our birds are none too particular. So long as the stuff contains rendered fat, they're pretty happy. (We were strict in the upbringing of our flocks... If they didn't eat all their suet, they didn't get any dessert.) That being said, some birds can get fussy. Looks like this would be a good place for a graphical summary...

Click here to view the suet selection chart

And let's not forget the seed charts...

Click here to view the single-seed chart

Click here to view the mixed-seed chart

(Obviously, peanutbutter is popular with the masses.) Two other thoughts concerning suet... First, crows like to steal the suet, cage and all. (We've lost two baskets; sturdy cable ties are a good thing.) And secondly, I've experimented with "poly wood" and perch locations. Smooth poly wood won't give birds like crows a place to secure their footing before they pillage the suet... In our case, we found something similar to our "Mealworm Feeder" and used that... Crows just can't get a good purchase on the plastic.

Now, about that hummingbird feeder... Just take a gander at a screen shot!

The hummers were out today... We simply quit after nine print screens. At best guess we got a visit every 10 minutes or so. (Remember, you can watch too using the cam link above or below.) Not bad... Not bad at all...

See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 3:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hi all,

Thought we might take a brief break from the birds for just a moment and re-visit late December, 2006. Way back then, we spoke of the wisdom of organizing your birding photos and files. Take a look at it now...

That's over 5,000 files, and 16 Gigs worth of bird stuff... (Needless to say... If anyone wants an east coast bird photograph, and can't find it in our library, just let me know... Odds are that we've got you covered.) But there's a bigger picture here... Note the organization... All it takes to back up a boat-load of work is a few clicks in Windows Explorer, and everything is taken care of. (As a matter of fact, I'm doing that now as I type.) And in this day and age of DVDs, on-line backup services, and cheap ($100) terabyte hard drives, not having redundant backups is simply unforgivable.

So let's see... What else is going on?

For some reason, the birds seem to be off their feed - that is, they're not hitting the feeders as hard as normal. Why? The weather forecast doesn't look that bad... We haven't seen any hawks around... Ground-based predators don't really pose a threat... What do they (the birds) know that we don't? In a way, it's kind of fun to ponder the mystery, but in another it's kind of spooky... We make sure that the birds have food and water, and sometimes they splurge, and other times they go missing... Why?

Signing off, but watchful...

See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Cornell Ornithology Laboratory: All About Birding

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi all,

It struck me the other day that those new to backyard birding and this blog might not be familiar with our two seed charts... These charts can help you decide what feed goes with what critter. Well, here's the first and second of the two.

Onward...

Now about that pesky bird cam... From the technical/electronic/computer/Web side of things, the bugger is working like a champ. Trying to keep it dry on the other hand has become a "Kludge Extraordinaire". The weather simply will not cooperate...

Yesterday, in a fit of "git 'er done!" I decided to simply embed the cam in a clear plastic tube and put that out in the wilds. One end was sealed, and the other sheltered the camera all the while giving the gadget all the light it could possibly want. Using the picture below and a little imagination, you can probably see the game plan. (Note that I've included the little Cobra USB video cam just to provide some perspective, and maybe even give a hint as to a future project.)

Unfortunately, the game plan went belly up because the plastic tube won't hold the requisite dab of epoxy needed to hold the current cam in place. So much for the brilliant but doomed "Git 'Er Done!". (Time for the "Acme Son of Git 'Er Done Kit!" I didn't watch all those cartoons for nothing...) So for the moment, the cam continues to be a fair-weather friend; and if you tune in and see darkness, that probably means that it's raining here on Cape Cod.

Onward yet again...

Stumbled across an absolute killer kitchen concoction the other day - this one involving pork tenderloin... Here's how to make it happen...

1. Get all the appropriate cooking gear... Crock pot, cooking thermometer, blah, blah, blah...
2. Buy a quality one pound pork tenderloin in a heavy air-tight bag. We use "Swift Premium All Natural". Also, pick up a large potato, a white onion, some carrots, and celery. Finally, snag a packet of "Crockery Gourmet Seasoning for Pork" by Superior Touch... And if you have a problem with salt, stop reading now.
3. Freeze the pork for several days.
4. Defrost the meat in the frig. (My theory is that the crystallization of the freezing process causes the pork to tenderize a bit.)
5. Clean work area.
6. Put pork in crock pot with peeled, diced potatoes, seasoning (directions call for two cups of water), and half the onion sliced.
7. Cook until the internal temp of the meat reaches at least 160 degrees F. (The lowest safe temperature for pork.)
8. Finally, dump in the carrots and celery and let simmer until the meat reaches 190 degrees. (Yeah, I know, I'm over-cooking the pork... Far better safe than sorry.)
9. Enjoy as part "meat and veggies dish" and part stew. And the next day, it only gets better.

Gotta' run... See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 3:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I don't know... Someone probably wrote this post long ago, but just in case... There are ways (as ugly as they are) to make wood do exactly, precisely what you want sort of. And that goes for the feeder above. Here's the deal... Most folks would look at that funky old broken-down feeder and say, "Replace it!" But now look at the tools above, and come to grips with the hidden karma of your recycling soul. We can re-build it, make it better, repair it. So we epoxy in a couple of new orange spikes and use a heavy cable tie as a hanger; that won't make the world explode. (And if the squirrels break those spikes, that will mean an open declaration of war... I'll make orange spikes no squirrel can ruin - Hell hath no fury like an engineer crossed.)

Anywho... About the tools and repair... The spikes were broken off and their holes were clogged - nothing that a drill, some scrap, and a couple healthy dollops of epoxy couldn't cure. Better than new. And if that isn't good enough, it will be.

There's something about the "Waste Makers'" attitudes that grinds against the very nature of "we'll-find-a-way" folks. We just don't like the "Cornucopian" or endless view of new stuff. Better wood butchery or whatever.

See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Cornell Ornithology Laboratory: All About Birding

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 9:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

OK, So what in the name of Sam Hill has the photo above have to do with a birdhouse? Well nothing really... and then again, everything. Here's the deal... I was searching the Web a couple of nights ago for something on eBirdseed.com, and I noticed that the auto-complete feature of the search engine was adding in "birdhouse". That's cool. Right now, we don't carry them, but we've still got you covered.

Some time ago I wrote a couple of posts on building a birdhouse. In the first entry I laid out a rough design, and in the second I actually built it.

Alrighty then, what about building a birdhouse for your backyard? Obviously, it will have to meet certain "bird requirements" regarding dimensions, ease of cleaning, nest size, etc. (See our references links below for more info), But still, there lies the slightly flexible issue of aesthetics...

So how do you build that perfect birdhouse (or kitchen island, or deck, or whatever)? Very simple... First, you do your homework on the Web, find the designs that work for you, and then tweak them via a model like the one above. It's nothing complicated - just some cardboard and 5-minute epoxy... In the photograph, I'm building a 15' sailboat in a scale of 1.5" to 12". But it really doesn't matter - a person can just as quickly whir up a cardboard mock-up of a birdhouse. All you really need to do is establish the ratio between the design and the desired result. (Here's a table converting fractional inches to decimal inches.)

Many moons ago I was a cabinet maker... Today I moderate a couple of boat building forums... But one lesson remains the same. When you're trying to build something, even a simple birdhouse, model first... I'm telling ya, it saves time in the long run.

See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We just recorded our backyard feathered visitors for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)... But more of that (and the photo above) in a minute.

It dawned on me that some of you reading this are on a bus or a train reading a Kindle, or sitting in your cubicle at work. Wherever... But there are some who still miss out on the peaceful and enjoyable hobby of watching birds. With that in mind, here's a quick rundown (with low-ball costs) of the items I frequently use in my birding pursuits:

• A bird feeder and some birdseed (Thirty dollars, though a stroll in the park will do, too.)
• A bird book (You can pick up a decent used Peterson, Sibley, or Smithsonian book on-line for $10 to $20.)
• Just a simple pen and a pad of paper
• A decent pair of binoculars ($50)
• A small digital camera and tripod ($150)

All told, we're talking a couple hundred dollars, give or take. Not bad for a lifetime hobby, especially in these "stay-cation" times. If you want to, you can spend another $600 to embellish your kit to include stuff like the gear in the photo above.

• Mini computer
• External HD
• Wireless mouse
• A flip video camera
• A magnifying glass

And finally, here's our GBBC...

• Goldfinch: 1
• Chickadee: 1
• Blue jay: 2
• Robin: 1
• Crow: 1
• Mourning dove: 2
• Starling: 10
• Red wing black bird: 9
• Grackle: 2
• Downy woodpecker
• House finch: 1
• Cardinal: 2

And there you go... Simple backyard birdwatching. Gotta love it.

See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First things first. "POTUS" is an acronym "President Of The United States". So why POTUS? Check out the Weekly Standard entry below.

For someone with a full-time job as the nation's chief executive and commander-in-chief, the number of books he's read is quite amazing: 95 in 2006, 51 in 2007, 40 by Christmas last year. Yet he lost each year in competition with his friend and political adviser Karl Rove, who revealed their book reading rivalry in the Wall Street Journal. Recently Bush has begun using a Kindle wireless reading device.

Yeah... Kindle, and we're syndicated on Kindle. Who knows? Does Mr. and/or Mrs. Bush read this blog? Well, just in case...

Welcome Mr. President. While we occasionally touch on politics in our "Coffee Table Chats", that's the exception. And that's especially true today! It's taken us 8 years to attract bluebirds, and now we got 'em. (See the pics above and below.)

And there are lessons to be learned here...

• Don't give up when trying to attract that "special bird". If the critters are local, it just takes time and effort.
• Don't be afraid to use common-sense experimenting. For us, it was a matter of combining chopped up suet with seed in a domed dish feeder.
• Don't lose track of seasonal needs. Winter especially calls for high-energy suet.
• Finally, study the behaviors of the desired guests and tailor your feeders appropriately. In other words, don't expect non-tree-clinging birds to flock to a hanging suet cage.

Anyway, we've got bluebirds, and we're psyched!

CapeCodAlan

P.S. A massive hat tip goes out to President Bush for extending the protection of National Marine Monuments to an additional 200,000 square miles bringing the Pacific total to 355,000 square miles.

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Last time, I suggested easing your shopping woes by checking out our eBirdseed.com seasonal sales. This post will hopefully shed a bit of insight for all you personal-computer Santas out there. So, with a couple of computer degrees, 25 years of experience, and just enough savvy to be dangerous, let's get started. (Understand that there will be umpteen decisions to be made, and some will be subjective... But at least here are some general pointers.)

• First, decide what you want, or might want, and then look at hardware afterwards.
• Buy from a source that offers customer reviews. I look for a max number of good customer reviews. Companies like Dell and Gateway offer this service.
• Have a data backup plan that actually will be used. If the machine I'm working on right now was to roll over and point it's little silicon legs skyward, I've got all my important stuff backed up. Down the road, will you be able to say the same about that Christmas present you're thinking about? Never "out buy" your backup.
• Don't "over buy" and don't "under buy". That is, if you're looking for a machine that can handle day-to-day chores, basic Web stuff, etc., a simple 2GHz, 2MB Intel Duo with a 320GB HD should be more than enough. For a system like that, expect to spend around $300 - $500. The next step might be a $500 - $700 2.2GHz, 3MB PC complete with a 500GB drive. That should take care of multimedia stuff such as movies. And when it comes to an even more powerful desktop for extreme gaming or video work, brace yourself. Start thinking of the new Intel Quad Duo, gobs of memory, and video cards that will bend light and your wallet. (If you're pondering that kind of machine, you probably know more than I do about this stuff.)
• And speaking of video, most machines nowadays come with some pretty respectable hardware. But if you are thinking about high-end graphics, take a deep breath and see above.
• Sound: Here's an area in which I think most people drop the ball. Typically, a decent sound card like the Sound Blaster Audigy and a respectable pair of speakers will run $100 - $200. Given the quality of sound available, that is cheap money indeed.
• The option to include a media card reader is a cheap must. Twenty dollars spent now will save hassle in the future.
• But what of software? If you have any exposure to MS Office files, just take your lumps and buy Office pre-installed. If you're just a casual user, MS Works should be fine.
• And then there was "Anti Virus"... Well you need something. Norton and McAfee are popular. (If you look at the eBirdseed.com home page, we scan the site daily with McAfee..)
• Hmmm... Service plans... Your call. I tend to buy from quality manufacturers and maintain the machines, so I usually don't have a problem.
• One last tip... Buy on-line (sort of) and in bulk! When the time comes to buy a computer, ask your friends, neighbors, and co-workers if they want to join in on the savings. Next load up your shopping cart and then call in. It's been my experience that a sales associate will walk you through your cart. I know for a fact that at least one big PC company will knock $$$ off a multiple-machine order if you just have your ducks in a row and are willing to ask.

  See you by those terabyte feeders,

  CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 3:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi all,

Yup, the photo above is the result of our last post's test. That was the post where I inferred that Billy May's "Mighty Putty" would never patch a broken tripod. Mea Culpa goes out to Billy Mays.

The fix worked like a dream, and has the heft to suggest that it will continue to do so for some time to come. But that got me to thinking... What adhesives should the backyard birder consider in the construction and maintenance of stuff like feeders, bird houses, roosts, camera tripods, etc. Being a "glue nut" I thought I might toss in my $.02...

But before we explore glue, let's give a quick nod to the issue of safety... Obviously, follow all manufacturer's directions and keep all chemicals away from both the birds and you. It's really a "no brainer". Now, let's take a look at sticky glop...

• First up is stuff like "Mighty Putty"... MP is really just an epoxy-based adhesive, and as such has significant physical properties. (Mighty Putty's compression strength is 12,000 pounds per square inch.) Other products of similar ilk include "J-B Stik", and "A + B". The list just goes on and on. So where to use this wonder "peanut butter"? The putty shines wherever you have a gap in any number of materials and need real strength. The tripod is a good example.
• The kissing cousin of MP et al is the supermarket syringe-type 5-minute or 30-minute liquid epoxy. And it's not bad. Because of cost, I don't think I'd use it to build a bird house, but it's plenty strong.
• And then there's plain epoxy from folks like West, Mas, U.S. Composites, System Three... When used with the right thickening agents, these products are wildly strong and have good gap-filling properties. Just brace yourself for the cost.
• Taking a large step backwards is the old faithful, white Elmer's glue. Elmer's is fine for indoors light-duty work, but that's about it.
• Next up is the new "yellow glue" such as TiteBond III. This is probably the best bet for that backyard project. It's weatherproof, relatively cheap, and holds well so long as your joint isn't too shabby.
• The ubiquitous "Crazy Glue" (a cyanoacrylate) is fine for inside hobby applications.
• Construction adhesive has its place - it's moderately gap filling and quite strong.
• I'm not really crazy about silicon or vinyl products, though Phenoseal is pretty good and has a low "volatile organic compound" rating. (That is, it's pretty benign.)
• WeldWood is a powder that when mixed with water makes for a decent, cheap, strong, waterproof adhesive. I used to build boats with the stuff, and it ain't bad.
• Rounding out the list is the new Gorilla Glue. This is a polyurethane glue that when "misted" with water forms a strong waterproof joint. It's a good adhesive, but not cheap.

There are other glues you probably won't use (like resorcinol and hide), but at least this should get you started. The best four pieces of advice I can offer are:

• Check to make sure that the glue you are buying is appropriate for the materials at hand
• Always test on scrap
• 95% of the time, Titebond III will handle outdoor projects involving wood
• When in doubt, use both fasteners and the proper adhesive

Still stuck by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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eBirdseed.com photo library

eBirdseed and misc. references

Other birding references

eBirdseed.com bird cam

Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi all,

Well... Here we go again... Keeping in the spirit of the birdhouse project and the bird cam, let's see if we can't come up with a respectable vine trellis for our little garden...

Things to consider...

• We want a small, wooden, traditional, open structure 32" wide, apx. 6' tall, and two or three feet deep. At this stage we're not concerned with the exact height or depth, but the entry width needs to be 32". The drawing below gives a general idea.
  

  Here, the fellow is stepping out one of the two open ends. While the framework above is greatly simplified, hopefully, you get the idea. (You can see one of the actual sides in the background of the next pic.)

• We could make the trellis skeleton, but quite honestly it's cheaper to just buy two pre-made. (That was easy!)
• The structure itself will not contact the ground. Instead, four pressure-treated 2x4s will be sunk, and the legs will be bolted onto those. (There's no sense in exposing untreated wood to soil... Who needs rot?)
• If there's a trick here, it has to do with the arched top. There are two challenges... First, the arch has to be designed properly, and secondly, it has to be built properly. For the design, we harked back to the age-old, rectangular "Golden Ratio" of 1.6:1. (That means that the width of the arch should be roughly 3.2 times as long as its height, or 9.25" tall at its peak.) The second issue is that of assembly. I chose to rip umpteen strips of wood 3/32" thick and glue them into a laminated arch. The form for that arch was simplicity itself. Two screws were driven into the workbench 32" apart, a line was drawn between the screws, halved, and a third screw was secured perpendicular to the halfway point of the line at a distance of 9 1/4"... Then it was just a matter of a lot of wood strips, weatherproof glue, and lots and lots of clamps.
  

  So far, so good... Next time, we'll see if we can't put the pieces together, slather some rain-resistant goo on the beast, plant a few 2x4 support stubs, bolt her up tight, and finish this puppy off!

  See you by the feeders, and you might just want to bring along an adjustable wrench!

  CapeCodAlan

  P.S. The simple CAD drawing was done with Google's free "SketchUp" -- good stuff.

  ---

  eBirdseed.com photo library

  eBirdseed and misc. references

  Other birding references

  eBirdseed.com bird cam

  

  Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Remember, (The Great Haiku and Algebra Bird Feeder Contest!) ends at 11:59PM EST on August 3rd, 2007. There's still time to enter, but Monika is starting to take a commanding lead!

Onward!



Nice photo above isn't it? But something's missing... More later...

When I was a kid (back in the '60s and '70s), I used to read Mechanix Illustrated... Oh, that was exciting stuff! Why, that magazine had articles describing how to build your own log cabin, your own airplane... It even had an article detailing how to build your own SCUBA tank! For a kid of 10, that was some kind of toe-twitching action! But those types of magazines/publications are pretty much gone now... There's still Mother Earth News, Instant Boats, and a few others of that ilk, but the days of cheap; "ok-or-better quality"; "do-it-yourself" stuff are pretty much over. Or are they???

Absolutely not! Here's how to become a legit "Backyard Birder" without breaking the bank. First things first... Scrap all ideas about backyard bird watching equating to $5,000 trips to Peru. (And yes, there are junkets out there that cost that kind of money.) Forget about that... Let's take this in steps...

• Spend nothing. Whether you live in the country or live in the city, just take note of the birds. You can use the links to the sites below to identify those creatures. Very simple.
• Get slightly more involved in the pastime. You can pick up (or borrow) a used bird book. Old bread crumbs shared during your lunch hour will work as bird food. A pad of paper can be your birding journal.
• Get even more involved by hanging a feeder, (part 1 and part 2) and/or building a birdhouse (part 1 and part 2). You can also use your computer to act as your birding journal.
• Spend some money on feed, feeder(s), more books, binoculars, camera(s), etc. (If you buy a camera, it is well worth it to buy or make a tripod.)

A final hint on buying stuff... Often, there is a secret to the process of buying and actually getting a quality deal. Ummm... Let's say that you want to buy a quality digital camera. But what to buy?

• You could drive downtown and ask "Cam the Camera Man" what he thinks you should buy. And no doubt that old Cam will have just the model for you. (And it's on sale too!) Man, oh man, oh man... Did you take Cam to the cleaners or what?!? Uhhh... Not exactly. (Old Cam hasn't been in business for 27 years because he gives away top-shelf cameras.)
• Ok, time for a different tack. You could ask Cousin Frick... No that's a terrible idea.
• Maybe you should hit the magazine rack or the camera Web sites, and see what they suggest, except that those "objective" magazines and Web sites are loaded with advertisements.

What to do:



And when all is said and done, what does the picture of the Monarda at the top of this post have to do with becoming a backyard birder? Simple... Whether you merely surrender a few stale bread crumbs to the birds, or blow $740 on the right digital camera (whatever that might be), you need to accept the fact that there will be days when all you get to see is a pretty flower. When you come to grips with that, you're well on your way to becoming a backyard birder.

See you by those sometimes lonely feeders,

CapeCodAlan

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Wikipedia
• Audubon Society
• U.S. Geological Survey
• MSN Encarta
• The National Audubon Society’s “The Sibley Guide to Birds”
• ”Birds Of North America” published by Golden
• ”Birds of New England” from Smithsonian Handbooks
• Chapman's "Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America"
• Peterson's "A Field Guide to the Birds"
• "Birdwatching" from publisher "Discovery Travel Adventures"

Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Folks, please pardon this CapeCodAlan interruption, however, we need your feedback.

After years of selling birdseed, we have found that many of our customers are creating their own custom mixes. When you call in you often say "Oh, I serve my birds a 50/50 mix of safflower and sunflower hearts."

We want to sell you exactly what you want. In order to do that, we are introducing "Scoop Your Own."

We need YOUR HELP. Please let us know which ingredients we should offer so you can create your own special recipe.

Take the QUICK 10-second survey here:
Click her to take the survey.

Essentially, you will be able to choose how many scoops of each ingredient you want. We will put it in a bag and ship if off to your birds.

Remember, this will only help your backyard birds if YOU TELL US what single seeds we should offer for mixing. We'll be posting the results of the survey here on the blog and in our newsletter.

Now, back to CapeCodAlan.

Gordon

Posted by eBirdseed.com at 3:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi,

Yeah, the camera is a ringer. To use the cam, just carefully follow the directions. 'Nough said.

Right now, we're experimenting with photographing different bird types, the hummingbirds being our models today. Take a look...



More observations...

• The focal length of 15" is critical. To actually measure the distance from the lens to the potential position of the subject will take some practice.
• The rig needs to be aimed carefully.
• High-speed birds (like the hummingbirds) are going to take work. Because they are so small, and so quick, everything has to be just right... The feeder has got to have fresh sugar water. We have to anticipate the best lighting. And the position of the camera needs to be spot on.
• Because of the sheer volume of pictures the NovaBird takes, organizing all those snapshots is going to take extreme care. See the December 26th entry in this blog, Christmas Gift... Truer words were never spoken. Our bird photo collection stands at 899 right now, and the NovaBird could easily add 50 - 200 shots per day. If you want to seriously use this camera, you're either going to have to be highly organized, or you're doomed.
• The purchases of a spare 6V rechargeable battery pack (in the shape of a rock) and a backup SD memory card are investments worthy of consideration... There's nothing like being able to reset the system at will.
• The possible uses for a gadget like this boggle the mind. We've already purchased a 4' long, 1/2" dowel that will act as a portable stationary platform. Who knows what pictures might be obtained when a few seeds, some bread crumbs, a bit of suet, or a salt lick are placed 15" away from it?

In short, learning how to get the max out of this camera will take time, and we'll continue to post the best pictures that we can, but eventually expect some pretty good stuff.



See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Back in February, we explored Using the eBirdseed.com Web Site. We also looked at Changing the Way That You Look at the eBirdseed.com Blog.

Perhaps now would be a good time to remind you how to post a comment. (Please keep in mind the simple fact that this blog needs your input! What do you want?)

So, take a look at the screen shot below... Notice the red oval. That is the "Comments" button that's available at the bottom of every post (like the one you're reading now). Just click that and you're on your way.



Once you click on that "Comments" button, a simple form will pop up... (Depending on how you access the post, the form may appear automatically at the bottom of the entry.)



Just fill in the form (name and email address; you don't have to have a URL) and you're done. And no, posting a comment will NOT place you on a mailing list! See the eBirdseed.com Privacy Statement.

So that's it gang! It's spring... We've got our new birdhouse mounted, discussed all seed, suet, and feeder types, the new remotely-activated outdoor camera is on the way, the kayak is in the water, you know how to use the Web site and make comments...

Now, what's on your mind?

See you by the feeders,

Curious CapeCodAlan

Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

{What follows contains technical information and instruction. If you are not a computer/Web geek it probably would behoove you to buy a couple of pocket protectors and try to bribe the local geek into helping you with this. It's not that this process is difficult or prolonged, but it does help if you are a true nerd. It also helps if you print this post out before you start. CapeCodAlan}

How do I explain this? There is a quick way to view the most recent posts on the eBirdseed blog (and other blogs for that matter). This mechanism is called RSS. ("RSS" is an acronym for: "RDF Site Summary", or "Rich Site Summary", or even better yet, "Really Simple Syndication".) Simply put, RSS offers quick access to article titles from RSS-enabled sites. In the bigger scheme of things, RSS allows not just easy access for the user, but also easy Web syndication. Alrighty then! Sounds like a lot of confusing words to me. Time for a couple of pictures!

The screen shot below is that of an active list of RSS "feeds" in Microsoft's browser, Internet Explorer.



And the next shot shows an RSS drop down menu in the Mozilla Firefox browser.



Ok... Hopefully that should give you The Big Picture regarding the convenience of RSS in different browsers. But how do we specifically make the eBirdseed blog jump through such hoops of convenience in Internet Explorer? Just how would we subscribe to such madness? Glad you asked! Simply go to www.ebirdseed.com/blog, and then scroll down towards the bottom of the screen. On the right you'll see the following box o' stuff:



Notice all the different access points. For this post, let's just click on "Subscribe to this blog's feed" and that will bring up the following:



And finally, that will bring you to the perfunctory "What Do You Want To Call The Beast" screen below... Name it appropriately (I always just go with the defaults) and click "Subscribe".



Congratulations, your efforts have been successful, as indicated by the screen shot below.



Make note of that little "star" icon. In IE, you can click on that star (located in the upper left corner of the browser window) to invoke your RSS Feed list, which now includes the eBirdseed blog!

Time for an "Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Epilogue Moment"... As the first two photos in this post show, different browsers handle RSS in different fashions. Internet Explorer offers a bare-bone RSS reader (the technical term is "RSS aggregator"). Firefox provides a much better (in my opinion) aggregator. And there are third-party aggregators out there as well. And let's not forget, Macs, Linux, and unrelenting updates... About the best we can do here is make you aware of RSS using the current Internet Explorer as a model.

See you by the digital feeders,

CapeCodAlan

P.S. Did you know that Efrem Zimbalist Jr.'s dad was a world-famous violinist and composer, and his mother Alma Gluck was a well-known opera singer? See that... Read this blog and you learn about birds and boost your trivia IQ.

Posted by CapeCodAlan at 7:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Given that you're reading this blog, odds are that you're fairly internet savvy, and you do at least some of your shopping online. And, if you're like me, you tend to use e-commerce as I do. That is to say that you access the site, order what you want, and then race back to the microwave before the popcorn burns. The problem with that is that sometimes even the most basic functionality of a site may pass you by. (I'd been using amazon.com for years before I finally discovered that I could sort my product searches.) And with that in mind, I thought that a quick look at the eBirdseed home page (or landing page) might just reveal a few overlooked features. Beyond that, I'll toss in a couple of additional tips. And without further ado, let's take a look at the typical eBirdseed page...



(For what follows, refer to the image above.)

Probably the best way to break this down is to look at the features involved. First let's look at convenience...

• As an e-shopper hooked on convenience and savings, a couple of things leapt/leap out at me. First is the free shipping. I hate the hassle and mystery of shipping costs. All I want to do is toss the item in my cart and check out.
• Another convenient service offered by eBirdseed is the option to use PayPal. (To be bluntly honest, I didn't even notice that that feature was available until I started writing this post. And I've looked at this site how many times???)
• In my book, "Reminders" and "Subscriptions" go hand in hand. Reminders are simply emails (that you configure) that are sent to you reminding yourself that it's probably time to reorder seed. A subscription is... Well... I'll let eBirdseed.com speak for itself!
  If your list includes a birding or bird feeding enthusiast, we've got the gift! Premium Audubon brand birdseed delivered once a month for six or twelve months right to their door. We'll even let you choose which kind of seed your bird lover will get from us each month. They'll think of you every-time that package arrives from eBirdseed.com and every-time they see a new bird at their feeder. Maybe you are the birding enthusiast and just want the convenience of paying for six months or twelve months of seed all at once. This is the plan for you!
  If you are not a birding enthusiast and are unsure of what type of seed is appropriate, you can call us and we'll be glad to help you choose. Premium Audubon Sunflower Hearts are a favorite of birds throughout the country and for all seasons of the year. It's simple to get started right away with your subscription. It's quick and easy to get started, just choose a six or twelve month subscription. Then pick which seed you would like delivered in which month. Lastly, give us a start date for the first bag. If you want it right away, just put today's date in the box. If this is a gift, specify what date you would like it shipped on. The seed will ship out on the same day each month. Order today!
  If this is a gift, the first bag will ship with a personalized gift message from you!
  (Don't let the language fool you... You can always give a gift subscription to yourself!)
• And finally, one of the most convenient products is the "Gift Bundle." Think of this as a "gift bundle"/"starter kit." Basically, the gift bundles are a combination of feeder and seed. That's a handy package for anyone getting started in the hobby.

So beyond convenience, what else is there? Well, customer service looms large. (Wouldn't it be nice to actually talk with the owner(s) of the business?) Ask and ye shall receive. When you talk with Gordon or Dan, you're speaking with "The Boss." The direct contact info for eBirdseed.com rests right behind the "About Us" tab. And look! Here it is now!

Call, email, mail or fax Gordon Moe in Customer Service from
Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Monday-Friday
Call: 1-866-324-7373
E-mail: info@eBirdseed.com
Mail: eBirdseed.com
27823 86th Ave. S. Hawley, MN 56549-8982
Fax: (978) 268-7155

Setting aside convenience and customer service, what else is there? Well there's that handy hybrid called "the blog." The blog is a funny critter... Part company posting, part customer input. All it takes to enter the eBirdseed blogosphere is to click on that little "Comments" button below!

And lastly, there are those ubiquitous “Refer a friend. Earn $5”, and newsletter options scattered about.

So those are just a few features of this Web site. Maybe you missed a couple. I did.

Gotta' run, the popcorn is burning! (See you by the feeders!)

CapeCodAlan

P.S. Did I mention that simply by clicking on each of the seed types/uses, you can tell what birds would take interest in that seed? Hmmm... Wonder what else I missed? Let me know...

Posted by CapeCodAlan at 6:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Before we get started, just a quick note to let you know that the "Give the Latin Name to That Bird!" contest has closed. Thanks to all who entered... It’s good to know that we here at eBirdseed.com aren’t the only ones who are crazy about birds. We’ll have the name of the winner early next week.

It’s January, and here on Cape Cod, that can equate to some moist, frigid, windy temperatures. (Last night it was 7 degrees F outside.) The new picture below of Otis clearly shows the 10-degree wind blowing his left ear askew.


As we watched a cold grackle tentatively seek the shelter of Otis’s digs (an extraordinarily bad idea on the part of the grackle) the wife and I were struck by the need for more birdhouses on the property. And with that, a winter project was born.
We discussed this and decided that what we wanted was a house that met umpteen goals. The “bird bungalow” would need to:

• Attract small- to medium-sized birds such as chickadees, finches, catbirds, titmice, and, in an ideal world, bluebirds. (Looks like I’ll be talking with the boss about ordering some mealworms!)
• Be squirrel-proof.
• Allow for easy access and cleaning.
• Facilitate the possible retrofit of a roost for winter habitation. (During the cold months, birds will often huddle together on a protected roost for warmth.)
• Have a substantial roof overhang for rough-weather protection.
• Offer ventilation.
• Be easily constructed and mounted.

After looking at countless websites and books, Suzie and I decided to build a simple birdhouse with a metal reinforced opening that would be mounted (with squirrel guard) as is the feeder below.



As for the layout of the dwelling itself, hopefully the following rough design will give you an idea of what we’re shooting for.


‘Till next time...

See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

Posted by CapeCodAlan at 7:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Well then, where were we? Ahhh yes, hanging and mounting feeders. Last time I ranted about hanging feeders, this time I’ll nag about mounting feeders...

Obviously, this post isn’t directed towards those amongst us who work in the trades. (Recently, I visited a friend’s house, (he works in a lumberyard), and discovered a masterful job of birdhouse construction and mounting. The finch house was perched proudly atop a 12 foot pole, which was anchored in a couple of feet of concrete.) Nope, my friend and his ilk have no need for advice from me concerning mounting a bird feeder... No, instead I write this for the more “mechanically-challenged” reader such as myself.

First understand that you have several choices for a fixed mount... You can use a deck-mount pole system, or a ground-mount pole system, or a post mount, or you could even push a junker ‘64 Chevy Impala into your back yard, place it up on blocks, and rivet feeders onto the side of the thing... Your call... For the sake of brevity and for the sake of being circumspect, let’s just say that you want to mount a feeder on a post. What exactly do you do? Some thoughts...

• First things first... The following suggestions are going to point you towards hand tools, (and perhaps even power tools). Always read and follow the tool manufacturers’ safety instructions, and always wear eye protection! And just because you don’t own such tools doesn’t mean that you can’t get the job done... Friends and family are wonderful things! Now onward...
• Just as in the case of hanging a feeder, the first thing you want to do is choose a good location for your birdfeeder. As in the last post, use the “Six Rule” as a minimum. (The feeder needs to be at least six feet away from the ground, vegetation, branches, tree trunks, etc.)
• Next, select a post type. (Remember that if the post is going to come in direct contact with the feed, it cannot be pressure treated.) As for length, you’ll need to be the judge of that. Suz and I plan on at least 24”, (usually 30”) of the post being underground, and we also take into account the hole that may have to be drilled into the top of the post to seat the pole. Depending on the application, the wife and I usually opt for a 6’ or 8’ pressure-treated four by four.
• Once you’ve decided on the appropriate post length, you’re probably going to want to cut it to fit. Use a square (or a sheet of paper if you don’t have a square) to uniformly mark off the cut line on all four sides of the beam, and then hack away. Don’t worry if you’re a little off... You can always /plane/sand/”Surform” to square and flat.
• If you want to mount the feeder directly on top of the post, as in our home-made crow feeder below, visit your local home center, hardware store, or lumberyard. The pros there will probably recommend alarmingly large screws of the "deck", "galvanized", or "stainless" variety. Use those screws in conjunction with a scrap support block, a small platter of AC plywood, weather-resistant glue, and some trim, and you’re off to the races!
  
  
  
• But if you’d rather plant the pole directly into the top of the post, boring a plumb hole into the end of a post is probably the most intimidating part of the project... But it really doesn’t need to be. Check out the photo below.
  
  
  All that needs to be done is:
  1. Find the center of the top of the post.
  2. Clamp the post in the true horizontal.
  3. Secure reference sticks on the top and side of the post.
  4. Using a slightly oversized bit, bore the hole using a traditional bit and brace or a power drill with a spade bit. Be sure to have a helper continually update you as to your orientation to the top and side reference sticks! (In the photo you’ll notice that the bit is slightly askew to the right. I’ll have to cant the brace back towards the left a tad without messing up the horizontal.)
  
  
• There... That wasn’t so bad. Now go dig your hole in the dirt! Suz and I like the old fashioned, manual, two-handled post-hole digger. (Obviously, we take precautions concerning gas lines, electrical wires and septic plumbing!) Once you have your hole, drop your post in and orient it “just so” such that it fits in with your yard and home. Fill the hole back in a few inches at a time using a simple torpedo level on all sides of the post to keep it perfectly upright. (The secret to filling in the post hole is to only fill in a few inches and then pack down the soil with something akin to a broom handle. Once you’ve really got the fill packed solid, and the post re-leveled and re-packed, then put in a few more inches of soil, and start the process again.)
  

So there you go... A plumb, square feeder post for the ages!



(Sorry, this is kind of a long-shot photo, but hopefully it will give the reader a sense of the symmetry between the deck and the feeder pole and post...)

See you by the feeder,

Alan

Posted by CapeCodAlan at 7:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is going to be a long, two-part post, so I’ll cut right to the chase...

I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve visited friends, and found feeders lying on the ground in their backyards. And the excuses are always the same – the wind blew the birdfeeder all “kittywumpus”, or the squirrels pulled the feeder down, or the neighbor’s dog knocked the feeder off its post, (or worse yet, the post simply fell over all by itself). Let’s take these issues one at a time.
First is the matter of hanging a birdfeeder...

Things to think about:

• Probably the first thing you want to do is choose a good location for your feeder. The standard in the business is the “Six Rule.” That is to say that the feeder needs to be at least six feet away from the ground, vegetation, branches, tree trunks, etc. Quite simply, that greatly slows the squirrel menace. Additional squirrel baffles and spinner feeders may also be called into service. Note: As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, the wife and I have avoided virtually all the squirrel hassles simply by giving them their own feeder. Once the squirrels grasp the fact that they have a wide-open trough, they completely ignored the other feeders. Besides – squirrels are just as cool to watch as the birds!
• If you decide to hang your feeder by rope, start the project with a quality rope. Quarter-inch nylon and polyester are both good choices. They’re strong, rot resistant, and stand up to the sunlight.
• Ok, so you’ve got your location and you’ve got your rope, but you’re probably looking at a tree branch that’s well beyond your reach. What to do? You could get out that old ladder and risk life and limb, (pun intended) trying to play “Tarzan Hangs a Birdfeeder”... But there’s a better way. (The following instructions apply to branches of 15’ in height or less...) Take a couple of old tube socks and slide one sock inside the other. Next fill the inner sock with eight to twelve ounces of seed. Finally knot the socks closed and tie your rope onto the end of the socks just below the knot, (see the picture below).
  
  Congratulations, in effect, you just made what we in the boating community call a “monkey’s fist”. A monkey’s fist is a heaving line complete with a weighted end. Now all you need to do is go outside, carefully uncoil your rope under the branch so that it doesn’t tangle, and heave the seed/sock over the branch. It will probably take a few tries, but the skill comes quickly.
• Alright, so now the rope is over the desired branch and the “Six Rule” is in play. In the process of filling the feeder, you’ve emptied the sock(s) into the vessel, Good! Now all you have to do is tie the feeder to the end of the line and hoist away... Not so fast Bucko! In my experience, this is where most people blow it. They tie the feeder to the bitter end of the rope using a square knot, or a granny knot, or some other marlinspike abomination, and then they hoist the feeder into position and go back into the house and eat pie. A month later, the feeder is on the ground, the owner is discouraged, and the birds go hungry. See below as to how to really secure a feeder by tying a bowline knot.
  
  
• Almost home... Finally, affix the other end of the rope to the base of the tree. The wife and I use a number of bungee cords as an anchor point. (Be sure to give yourself enough slack to lower the feeder for refills! (Once again, see the photo below.)
  
  

Well that’s it for today gang... Next time we’ll look at mounting feeders on posts!

See you by the feeder,

Alan

Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)