Orioles’ sweet tooth?

 

Orchard Orioles

 

 

Jams and jellies are good for attracting some of our north Texas birds, including native birds such as Orioles.  Just don’t overdo it. Commercial jams and jellies are usually about 50% sugar, whereas natural nectar is about



Summer Tanager

10 – 30% sugar. A little jelly is fine, but a steady diet of it messes up birds’ metabolism.

 

 

 

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.  

Getting rid of squirrels is futile

 

Shooting, poisoning or trapping squirrels (shame on you) to rid them from your yard is absolutely pointless. It only makes your squirrel problem worse. You see, squirrels are territorial. So if the dominant squirrel is ”removed”, 3 or 4 wannabes, and their entire clans, will fight and squabble over the now-empty territory.

   Also if you trap a squirrel and release it elsewhere, the solution may work for only a day or two. A squirrel will do everything in its power to return to familiar territory, especially if babies are left alone. The rule of thumb is to relocate it at least 7 miles away. I’d recommend 10 miles if trapping & releasing is used – even more if the intervening land is full of trees.

 Two kinds of kingbirds here     Both the Eastern Kingbird and Western Kingbird are summer birds here in north Texas. Both species are found in urban neighborhoods, preferring those that include large open areas and some water. Around golf courses they’re especially abundant. We’re on the eastern edge of the range of the Western species, and we’re on the western edge of the range of the Eastern species.

EASTERN KINGBIRD

 

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.