Birdfeeding: Friends of a Feather Flock Together

Today was warm and muggy.  It stormed midday, then cleared up somewhat later.

I fed the birds.

I put out water for the birds.

At dusk, loads of fireflies are coming out.  :D  I've seen at least one bat too.  

Today is cloudy, mild, and damp.  It rained off and on yesterday.

I fed the birds.  I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

EDIT 6/14/25 -- I put out water for the birds.

I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 6/14/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

I've seen a skunk on the patio.

I checked the new picnic table and septic garden.  The first of the 'Chocolate Sprinkles' tomatoes is showing color.  :D  One of the chocolate cherry tomatoes has its first green fruit, and so does the 'Carmen' Italian sweet pepper.  The yellow squash just bloomed.  The zucchini has flower buds.

EDIT 6/14/25 -- I started trimming some low-hanging branches from the Home Base mulberry tree.  I filled a trolley with twigs and leaves, then dumped it in the brush pile.

EDIT 6/14/25 -- I trimmed more branches, filling another trolley.

I've seen a catbird and a mourning dove.

EDIT 6/14/25 -- I trimmed more branches, filling another trolley.

I found the first couple of ripe raspberries along the south fence in the ritual meadow.  I'll have to check the prairie garden tomorrow.

EDIT 6/14/25 -- I found a second log for the base of the next bonfire and put that in the firepit.  I started building the criss-cross chimney above it but then it got too dark to find the right kind of sticks.  I'll have to finish that tomorrow.

The fireflies are coming out.  :D  There are lots more tonight.  They love this warm damp weather. 

I saw at least 2 and probably 3 bats.  They're quite large for microbats, so likely big brown bats.  See bats of Illinois.  I'm thrilled to have bats, because the mosquitoes are also coming out.  Fly, my pretties, fly! \o/

As it is now dark, I am done for the night.

Today is partly sunny and mild.

I fed the birds.  I haven't seen much activity yet.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 6/10/25 -- I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a male cardinal, and at least one mourning dove.

EDIT 6/10/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I heard a blue jay screaming but didn't see it.

EDIT 6/10/25 -- I've been outside a couple of times to walk around the yard.  Fireflies are starting to come out, but it's still so light that they're hard to see.  I may try again later.  I've seen a bat over the south lot, and a skunk on the patio.

EDIT 6/10/25 -- We went out a little later to see the fireflies.  This is the most I've seen so far, earlier it was just ones and twos.  There aren't as many as there will be later in the season, but it's the first big flush so we're pleased to see them.

I am done for the night.

Today is partly cloudy and mild.

I haven't fed the birds yet.  I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, two mourning doves, and a blackbird.

I took some pictures in the house yard and south lot. 

EDIT 6/1/25 -- I fed the birds.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 6/1/25 -- I watered the new picnic table garden.

The 'Pink Berkeley' has a green tomato, second to fruit after the two 'Chocolate Sprinkles' plants.

EDIT 6/1/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 6/1/25 -- I watered the patio plants.

I started trimming weeds around the forest garden.

EDIT 6/1/25 -- I watered the new picnic table and other plants around the house yard.

I watered the septic garden.

I've seen a fox squirrel.

EDIT 6/1/25 -- I watered seedlings in the savanna.

EDIT 6/1/25 -- I planted 3 white peach seeds in pots.

EDIT 6/1/25 -- I trimmed more weeds around the forest garden.

Pie cherries and mulberries have pink fruit.  Astilbe and snowball bush have buds.

EDIT 6/1/25 -- I trimmed more weeds around the forest garden.

EDIT 6/1/25 -- I trimmed more weeds around the forest garden.

EDIT 6/1/25 -- I trimmed more weeds around the forest garden.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

 

Today is partly sunny and mild.

I haven't fed the birds yet. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches. Recently the house finches have been all over the thistle feeder.

EDIT 5/31/25 -- I fed the birds. I've seen a grackle and a robin.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 5/31/25 -- I pulled and trimmed weeds around the purple-and-white garden.

EDIT 5/31/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 5/31/25 -- I pulled and trimmed more weeds around the purple-and-white garden.

EDIT 5/31/25 -- I pulled and trimmed more weeds around the purple-and-white garden. I am most of the way around the outside now.

EDIT 5/31/25 -- I finished trimming weeds around the outside of the purple-and-white garden.

EDIT 5/31/25 -- I started trimming weeds inside of the purple-and-white garden.

I've seen a male cardinal and a male fox squirrel. Several sparrows were splashing in the red birdbath. I've seen a skunk on the patio.

EDIT 5/31/25 -- I started trimming weeds inside of the purple-and-white garden. \o/

EDIT 5/31/25 -- I watered the patio plants.

Privet is blooming, with a heavy, honeyed scent, a little salty.

I've seen two bats flying around the edges of the yard, and the first several fireflies. :D

Today is cloudy and cool.  It rained yesterday.

I fed the birds.  I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 5/29/25 -- I set out the pots of thyme to be planted later today.

EDIT 5/29/25 -- I planted two golden lemon thymes, one silver thyme, and one lime thyme in the goddess garden.  :D  The first two are old favorites, the last is new to me.

EDIT 5/29/25 -- I went back outside to do more yardwork, but it's drizzling now.  I did take a few pictures of the goddess garden with the new thyme plants.

EDIT 5/29/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 5/29/25 -- I set up the last of the wire planters with already potted flowers.  The narrow pots I have are awkward in the wider planters.  I think for future reference, I'll watch for wider, lower pots either in late-season sales or possibly next spring.  Those are good for combination plantings anyhow, which I like making.

EDIT 5/29/25 -- I trimmed grass along the east end of the new picnic table.

I've seen a male cardinal and a male indigo bunting.

EDIT 5/29/25 -- I filled 2 of the 6 taupe trough pots with half composted manure and half potting soil, then put them at the east end of the new picnic table.

It's drizzling again.

EDIT 5/29/25 -- I filled 2 more of the 6 taupe trough pots with half composted manure and half potting soil, then put one at the east end of the new picnic table and one at the west end.

It's drizzling again.

EDIT 5/29/25 -- I filled the last 2 of the 6 taupe trough pots with half composted manure and half potting soil, then put them at the west end of the new picnic table.

I've seen a fox squirrel.

EDIT 5/29/25 -- I sowed seeds in the taupe trough pots: Edible Flower Mix in one, Fragrant Mix flowers in one, 'Early Giant' leeks in one, 'Vine Peach' cantaloupe in one, borage and parsley in one, dill and 'Fluid Evolution' cilantro in one.

I watered the newly planted things.

As it is now dark, I am done for the night. 

Today is mostly sunny and mild.

We walked around the south lot, then my partner Doug mowed that. 

EDIT 5/26/25 -- I fed the birds.  I've seen several sparrows and house finches, a male cardinal, and a young fox squirrel.  Robins are foraging the newly cut grass.  We found a toad in the south lot, and I moved him to the shadier garden under the maple tree.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 5/26/25 -- I sowed partial shade wildflower seed mix in a pot on the old picnic table.  I sowed cypress vine seeds in the septic garden and around the support wire of the telephone pole.

EDIT 5/26/25 -- I watered the septic garden, patio plants, and a few other things.

EDIT 5/26/25 -- I watered the telephone pole garden, hollies, and Colorado blue spruce.

My partner Doug plans to mow the savanna next.

I've seen two catbirds, a grackle, and a female cardinal.

EDIT 5/26/25 -- I started trimming around things in the house yard.

EDIT 5/26/25 -- I finished the first bit of trimming around things in the house yard.

EDIT 5/26/25 -- I started trimming in front of the log garden in the house yard.

EDIT 5/26/25 -- I finished trimming in front of the log garden in the house yard.

EDIT 5/26/25 -- I trimmed brush along the path from the driveway to the savanna.

EDIT 5/26/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 5/26/25 -- I trimmed brush along the east side of the house.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

Today is partly cloudy and pleasantly cool. :D

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

I set out the flats of pots and watered them. It's down to 2 partial flats now.

EDIT 5/24/25 -- I finished pulling the tall grass out of the septic garden. I cut down the tree seedlings.

I've seen a catbird and a fox squirrel.

EDIT 5/24/25 -- We walked the prairie garden to point out where to remow paths. My partner Doug is out mowing that and the ritual meadow.

EDIT 5/24/25 -- I weeded the first section of netting in the prairie garden down to the ground, so that one is ready to roll up and add fresh dirt.

EDIT 5/24/25 -- I weeded the wedge between sections of netting in the prairie garden down to the ground

EDIT 5/24/25 -- We walked around to look at the mowed areas.

I have a bee tree again! :D 3q3q3q!!! I am so excited. While walking through the savanna, I heard the lawnmower sound, so I checked the most recent bee tree and the girls were back to-ing and fro-ing overhead. *GLEE*

I trimmed around a hydrangea at the east edge of the house yard, in case more mowing becomes feasible.

EDIT 5/24/25 -- I weeded the second section of netting in the prairie garden down to the ground. So the interior weeding is done. \o/

EDIT 5/24/25 -- I sowed sunflower 'Hopi Landrace', Pinetree Sunflower Mix, Persian Carpet Zinnia Mixture, zinnia 'Big Flower Mix', four o'clock 'Marbles Mix', celosia 'Wooster Cockscomb', balsam, and ageratum 'Red Bouquet' in the first section of the septic garden.  Hopi Landrace, Big Flower Mix, Marbles Mix, and Wooster Cockscomb packets are all empty now.

EDIT 5/24/25 -- I sowed centaurea 'Tall Mix', evening scented stock, and nasturtium 'Alaska Mix' in the first section of the septic garden.  That's the end of the Alaska Mix.

I peeled off the net, spread fresh soil, and tacked down the net in the second section of the septic garden.

My partner Doug is currently outside mowing the house yard.

EDIT 5/24/25 -- I sowed balsam and 'Bouquet' dill in the second section of the septic garden. 

I watered the newly planted things.

I did a bit of work around the patio.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

Today is cloudy and mild.

I fed the birds.  I've seen several sparrows and house finches, a catbird, and a phoebe. 

I put out water for the birds.

I set out the flats of pots and watered them.

EDIT 5/21/25 -- I did a bit more work outside.

I've seen a female cardinal.

EDIT 5/21/25 -- I potted up 2 pink-flowered 'Toscana' strawberries, each in its own pot.  I filled another pot with a purple-and-white striped 'Wave' petunia, a 'Dusty Miller' artemesia, and 2 white sweet alyssums.  I put these on the tall metal planter and tied them in place.

EDIT 5/21/25 -- We moved 2 bags of composted manure to the old picnic table.

I've seen a young fox squirrel.

EDIT 5/21/25 -- I potted up the last of the Shithouse Marigolds and Charleston Food Forest marigolds, each in its own pot.  These are the last of the ones I grew from seed.  All winter-sown pots sprouted at least one marigold, and many sprouted several.  That makes this a good approach to repeat.

EDIT 5/21/25 -- I sowed a pot with passionflower seeds.  No idea if they'll actually fruit here, but it's a host plant for multiple butterfly species who only need the leaves.  I've never tried to grow these before, and bought them on a whim when I saw the seed packet in a store, knowing that they are a valuable host plant.

I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 5/21/25 -- I sowed two pots with nasturtiums. 

EDIT 5/21/25 -- I took pictures of the pots where I sowed seeds earlier.  Of the 10 pots of Little Bluestem that I sowed on 2/24/25, five of them sprouted healthy little clumps of grass.  I planted these five in one of the strips of the prairie garden.  While 50% is not a great success rate, it is a useful rate particularly with native plants that are expensive to buy in pots.

EDIT 5/21/25 -- I did a bit more work outside.

I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches along with several mourning doves.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

Today is sunny and mild.

I fed the birds.  I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a catbird, a starling, and a young fox squirrel.  I heard a blue jay screaming but didn't see it.

I put out water for the birds.

I put out the flats of pots and watered them.

EDIT 5/19/25 -- We went shopping.  I have 2 new water pans for the giant pots, 4 new large-ish pots, and 2 bags of composed manure.  I still need to get more of the Evergreen potting soil, though.

EDIT 5/19/25 -- I took a few pictures of flowers.

I've seen two young fox squirrels chasing each other.

EDIT 5/19/25 -- I trimmed grass where I will put one of the giant pots.

EDIT 5/19/25 -- I filled the giant pot with half composted manure and half potting soil, then planted a pot of 2 zucchini plants.

EDIT 5/19/25 -- I trimmed grass where I will put the second giant pot.

EDIT 5/19/25 -- I filled the giant pot with half composted manure and half potting soil, then planted a pot of 2 straightneck yellow squash plants.

EDIT 5/19/25 -- I watered the giant pots and the picnic table garden.

EDIT 5/19/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 5/19/25 -- I sowed Shithouse Marigold seeds in the new giant pots and several others that didn't already have marigolds.

I watered the marigold seeds and some other plants.

I saw the first bat of the season!  :D

As it is now dark, I am done for the night.