We have a special species of Oriole here in Texas!!

Yes, there are orioles around here.

 

Orchard Orioles, male(L) and female(R)

Orchard Oriole

We’ve actually heard of several people who’ve attracted Orioles to their yards. In north Texas we have Orchard Orioles and Baltimore Orioles. The first is certainly the most common here. As with all Orioles, the male and female look very different. They all are mainly insect-eaters, but love grape jelly or orange-halves.  The simplest “feeder” is just attaching an orange-half to a board or branch via a finishing nail – at least 5 ft. off the ground. Ants can overwhelm it, but if there are just a few ants they will be eradicated by birds.

To spot juvenile Robins, look for spots

Robin (fledgling)

Robin (fledgling)

About the time of year, fledgling Robins (just out of the nest) are apt to appear at backyard birdbaths. The adult with them is teaching them how to swim and bathe. (It doesn't come naturally)  The male parent is usually in charge of fledglings. They’re the same size as adults, but can be recognized by black speckles on their orange/red breasts, which they outgrow in 3 or 4 weeks.

 

 

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.

 

 

North Texas bats need landlords, since we've taken much of their habitat

 

Bats are cute little creatures that weigh about half-an-ounce, but eat lots and lots of mosquitoes – and they’ll soon be returning from Central America looking for homes. The bats in the north Texas area are mostly Mexican free-tail Bats (like those in the Congress Ave. Bridge in Austin). They cleanse the nights of tons of pesky bugs and avoid humans as much as possible.

An average bat will eat up to 5000 mosquitoes and other flying pests every night. In simpler terms, that’s like a 60 lb. child eating 126 peanut butter & jelly sandwiches a day. A colony of bats is a safe and cheap replacement for a lot of pesticide spraying! But those scary, misinformed TV shows don't tell you that.

Since a bat can hear four times better than a typical dog, they actually hear the mosquitoes’ wings. They also communicate among themselves and avoid obstacles (like humans) with “echo-location”, which is sort of like Doppler radar.

Bats also pollinate many crops. If your day includes soap, shampoo, cosmetics, coffee, toothpaste, margarine, paper, ink, rope, lumber, beer, candles, air fresheners, rubber, vegetables, spices, fruits, or chocolates you are not simply helped by bats – you are dependant on bats.

Less than half of 1% of bats have rabies. They are not carriers of rabies! If bitten, they’ll come down with it; just like any other mammal. And, being so small, they usually die within a day. Actually, you have a much better chance of getting rabies from a pet dog or cat.

Injuring, killing, or confining a bat is illegal in Texas. Such acts (usually based on ignorance and superstition) need to be reported. Specialty birding stores often sell different sizes of bat houses. Providing housing for a free-flying bat makes you a “sanctuary”, and is perfectly legal. Make sure the house’s design is approved by a non-profit, rehabilitation group. Now, before they come back to the north Texas area looking for homes, is the ideal time to put up a bat house, or for municipalities to promote what's almost certainly around already.

 

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.

Don't unknowingly pay for weeds when you buy birdseed.

 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

A recent university study examined ten popular brands of birdseed and found that half of them contained seeds of at least six species of weeds. Not only are you paying for the weed seeds unknowingly, but they’re likely to sprout and spread in your yard, and wild birds rarely eat them.

 

From my experience, the merchants most guilty of selling weed seeds mixed in with real birdseed are the grocery stores or "big box" stores, where "low price" is king, and quality is not considered. 

A sense of accomplishment     If you’re putting up a birdhouse especially for woodpeckers, try putting a too-small entrance hole in it (less than 2“). Three reasons: 1. it forces the woodpecker to peck to enlarge the hole – a key part of their courtship behavior,  2. the small hole keeps starlings from taking over the box,  3. it’s easy to see if a woodpecker is interested, just by looking for signs of pecking.

          You can also accomplish this with a birdhouse you buy, just by fastening a thin piece of wood or cardboard (with a too-small hole) over the real hole.

 

 

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.

 

 

An inexpensive, natural fire ant control. One that's safe and actually works!

fire ant mound

 About this time of year, subterranean insects (such as fire ants) resurface and start to build nests/mounds. This is also the time of year when lots of people get bit by fire ants. Small children, pets and wildlife too – a few of which are seriously and permanently injured by the ants OR by the poison that's meant to kill the ants.

 You’d think that birds would eat them nearly to oblivion; and in ten, twenty or thirty generations they might. But fire ants are a relatively recent introduction to North America, and our birds haven’t figured out yet how to eat them safely.

For now, I control fire ants by soaking their mounds with a non-poisonous liquid compost solution. I don’t claim to be an etymologist, but this safe, homemade solution works for me – and costs less than 10% of what I’d pay for an advertised poison. And, if you get the queen, fire ants won't return.

I recommend a mixture of 40% compost tea, 40% orange oil and 20% liquid horticultural molasses (mixed thoroughly). Then I mix a half-cup of this mixture with one gallon of water, and saturate the fire ant mound with it. Pour slowly, making sure it soaks into the mound, and doesn’t just run off. (I use a stick to quickly break through the mound’s crust)

This natural solution doesn’t poison the fire ants (or children or wildlife or pets), it instantly dissolves the insects’ exoskeletons so they can’t walk, dig or eat. In about five minutes, there’s no ant activity. A few days later I’ll add beneficial nematodes to the soil to control fire ants long term.

 

 

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.

 

Birdfeeders and windows; the danger zone

A lot of birds are killed by flying into windows. There are zones, however, where it’s OK to put a feeder near a window. A feeder closer to a window than 2 feet (including on the window itself) is safe. Also, a feeder farther away than 7 feet is OK. The “danger zone” of between 2 and 7 feet should be avoided. You may still have a few bird strikes, however, when birds just aren’t paying attention. Like if it's being chased by a hawk or something.

White-throated Sparrow

A White-throated Sparrow crashed into our large kitchen window early this morning. (it was probably migrating north, like all true sparrows) The lifeless body was on our deck. Putting pathos aside, it was an opportunity to examine it up close. It’s a beautiful  bird – black streaks, pure white throat, vivid spots of yellow, and tan and gray body. I felt a deep responsibility for seeing to the needs of these couple-of-grams creatures whose home we have chosen to usurp.

Cats belong indoors   Ordinary housecats are one of birds’ greatest dangers; natural predators. They’re naturally stealthy and excellent hunters, even if well fed.  Nobody knows for sure, but there may be 2.5-million outdoor cats in Texas. Each kills an average of 5 or 6 birds a year. That works out to 12½ to 15 million dead birds annually. (Cats live a lot longer when kept indoors anyway.)

We have a cat at our house. However we never let it outside. It stares longingly out the window at birds. Not only will it lives longer as an “inside cat”, but so will the birds in our neighborhood.

 

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.

 

 

 

two very INexpensive hobbies.

The two least expensive hobbies to have

They’re not raising race horses or collecting impressionist art. As you’ve probably guessed, one hobby is birdwatching. The other is gardening. Certainly, they’re inextricably intertwined (say that 3 times, fast). Being retired, I do both, and probably save a lot of time and money that can now be lavished and squandered on grandchildren.

Why are both birdwatching and gardening are at or near the top of the list of popular, inexpensive hobbies. For one thing, they cost a whole lot less than most hobbies (most others are fine hobbies, but money's tight, folks!). There are no rules and procedures for either. None! There are no clubs to join (unless you want to), there’s no “must” wearing apparel, and you don’t have to travel anywhere (again, unless you want to). Getting started with either is as simple as hanging a birdfeeder or two in your yard, and nurturing plants nearby.

A big appeal of both birdwatching and gardening is that they’re profoundly educational while being inexpensive. They're not physically demanding, either. The two hobbies delve into the  interrelationships of nature’s plants and animals. Seeing things like birds hanging around certain flowers, and nesting in certain trees, and thinking about “why”, is a big step toward understanding the world we all live in. Showing things like that to your grandchildren is enlightening to everyone!

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.

 

Attracting MORE Hummingbirds to your yard.

 

Black-chinned Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds have arrived in north Texas - in great numbers. Many of them will, after resting, continue their northward migration. To encourage as many as possible to stay around, try the suggestions below;

Put up more than one feeder – First, there should be enough spots for Hummingbirds to sip nectar without waiting in line. Put up enough feeders for the number of Hummingbirds you could have, not just the number that you have today. Feeders should not be visible from each other, or the tiny birds (which are very possessive) will fight others off.

Keep nectar fresh – Fresh nectar attracts them, and stale repels them. If they get a sip of stale nectar at your house, they won’t bring fledglings or friends by. Nectar gets stale quickly on a super-hot Texas day. We change nectar every 6 or 7 days normally. But when it’s really hot, we’ll go to every other day.

 

Avoid most insect killers. - Most insecticides kill every insect around, even butterflies (which are insects). But when all the insects are dead, Hummingbirds can't exist just on nectar. About a third of their diet (similar to many other birds) is protein-rich insects. 

Plant hummer plants – Hummingbirds look for nectar from flowers in addition to feeders. Some plants have far sweeter nectar than others. Birds know this, and are drawn to them (so are butterflies) and often encourage their youngsters to feed there. Try Lantana, Turk's Cap, Mistflower and Flame Acanthus in north Texas.

Water source –  Just like humans, Hummingbirds need something to drink with meals. Water from a hose-run dripper or mister on a birdbath is ideal (a dripping faucet works too). They’ll use it to drink, to bathe, and just to play in.

          Follow these guidelines and it’s a safe bet the number of Hummingbirds in your yard will grow. The main reason is that the parents almost always bring youngsters back to where they were raised - if it was a good, safe environment.

 

 

That annoying pecking!       Many birds will peck vigorously and endlessly at a window – or anything else reflective. This happens largely in the springtime, and often with Cardinals. The offending bird (usually a male) sees his own reflection and, not being a rocket scientist, is attacking it (seeing "another bird") in a territorial dispute.

I know it drives you crazy, but the bird isn't hurting itself.  (No bird has ever been hurt from doing this, except for damaging his pride)  Try eliminating the reflection by rubbing dry soap on the outside of the window. It might stop the pecking, and it washes right off.

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.