Using a Spray Sprinkler to Attract Birds

Many of us feed birds to attract them and some may provide a bird bath.   But one of the best ways to attract hard to see birds is with a spray sprinkler. A spray sprinkler creates a mist of water that birds love.  It is important to locate the sprinkler next to tall vegetation so the birds can be in cover AND take a bath in the spray.

The spray sprinkler that I use is made by Gardena.  It is extremely durable and well made.  I've had mine for over 10 years and it is still working like it is new. The Gardena sprinkler I use is shown below.  Expect it to cover up to 1000 square feet  of area.  Don't expect it to produce water droplets as it produces a fine spray that birds LOVE.



Here is a "How To" video on using it along with the birds it attracted.

Tersa Sphinx Moth 2018

Tersa Sphinx (Xylophanes tersa) Moth 2018 This moth showed up in my driveway in Topeka Kansas on September 13, 2018. I was really wowed by its appearance. Based on the online maps for the tersa sphinx moth there was only one record of it in the state. Upon further investigation, I learned there are records of it from about 10 counties in eastern Kansas. It’s definitely not a commonly seen moth in the state. The adults nectar at tubular flowers at night and are attracted to lights. The caterpillars feed on members of the Madder (Rubiaceae) family of plants as well as on Catalpa (Bignonaceae). I decided to try to get some better video and pictures. As I was nudging the moth to a better position it flew into my wildflower patch. I couldn’t find it again as it is a master of camouflage. Sorry to say, this is all the footage that I was able to get.

Test Tube Hummingbird Feeder 2018

This is my favorite kind of hummingbird feeder. I like it for a number of reasons. #1, it only holds a small amount of sugar water which is consumed before it goes bad. #2 it is incredibly easy to clean using a test tube cleaning brush. And #3 it suctions onto a window for easy viewing from inside your home. I put a link in the description where you can get a feeder like this. Because hummingbirds are territorial, its a good idea to have more than one feeder like this. I have 3 of them. Each is mounted on a different side of my house. I recorded these hummingbirds on September 8 2018 in my Topeka Kansas yard. Most Hummingbirds migrate through Kansas from Mid July until the first hard freeze of October. Most of the hummingbirds seen in eastern Kansas are ruby-throated hummingbirds. The mature males migrate first, followed by the females. The birds seen in these videos are probably immature birds as they are the last to migrate. Watching these clips you can see subtle differences in each bird. I assume they are all ruby-throated hummingbirds. I believe the ones with a little color on the throat are young males. The ones with a clear throat are likely females.

How to Trap House Sparrows in a Nest Box

Learn to catch house sparrows in nest boxes using a VanErt sparrow nest box trap when house sparrows are seeking out nesting sites. The house sparrow, also known as the English sparrow, is an invasive introduced species in North America & elsewhere. It is an extremely aggressive bird that outcompetes native cavity nesting birds and will destroy their eggs, young and even adults in order to use a nesting cavity. If nesting they will destroy nests of other birds in the vicinity that they see as competition. They are not a protected species in North America and can be legally trapped and eliminated. To trap them you need a nest box or bird house, a VanErt trap, and a mesh laundry bag. The box can be mounted on a 5 foot or 10 foot telescoping pole made from EMT conduit. The nest box is the same size as used by bluebirds and tree swallows. Both are species that house sparrows compete directly with. Some suggestions for trapping I suggest you put up more than 1 nest box that house sparrows can enter. I have 5 in my yard. Some of the boxes can be used by native birds for nesting while others will attract house sparrows. When house sparrows adopt a nest box, they can be trapped and eliminated. Mount in the open or next to buildings as those places are preferred by house sparrows. Check your traps every hour as you could catch a native bird. If you trap a native bird remove it from the trap and release it immediately. I aim the box toward my house so I can look out to see if trap is sprung. An alternative to euthanizing the house sparrow is to use it as a decoy in a repeating sparrow trap

Swallow-tailed Kite visits Topeka 2018

This lone swallow-tailed kite was seen on September 4, 2018 near the Governor’s mansion in the city of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas. Kites are a type of hawk. When flying they rarely flap their wings but instead they catch the wind as they soar through the air. In Kansas we have the common Mississippi kite and two species that are accidental in the state. The white-tailed kite and swallow-tailed kite are both species of the gulf coast that are rarely seen in Kansas. Swallow tailed kites have a white head and body along with a black back and tail. Their V shaped tail is deeply forked. Their black wings and white wing linings along with their large forked tails give them very unique look. Swallow tailed Kites are a very rare bird in Topeka and all of Kansas. The last time one was seen in Shawnee County was in 1972. Statewide, they’ve only been documented in 18 of our 105 counties. Most years go by without a sighting in the state. Insects make up most of their diet. They fly through the air catching aerial insects with their feet. They eat their pray while flying through the air. Swallow-tailed kites breed in 7 states in the southeastern United States. Historically they bred in 21 states and as far north as Minnesota. They last nested in Kansas in the late 1800s. The Swallowtail kites found in the United States all migrate to South America where they spend the winter. Why did this lone swallowtail kite end up in Topeka, so far from its home in the southeastern United States? Leave a comment if you have any ideas. Learn to identify kites and other hawks in North America with: A Field Guide to Hawks of North America Buy it at https://amzn.to/2NgTQMz Learn even more about kites and other hawks of North America with: Birds of Prey: Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, and Vultures of North America Buy it at https://amzn.to/2CtfWXU

Mississippi Kites in Topeka 2018

The kites in this video were found on September 2, 2018 in southwest Topeka Kansas. Mississippi kites are a kind of hawk. They are called kites because they catch the wind and ride it like a kite! Mature kites have a pale gray head and body with dark gray wings. Their tail is black. The juvenile kites have brown streaked undersides and dark gray backs. Kites used to be a very rare bird in Topeka. But in 2013 they were spotted at a local park. The high count in 2013 was 8. Each year their numbers have increased. In 2018 over 40 of them were counted in one location in Topeka. Insects make up most of their diet. The Topeka kites were observed catching flying cicadas with their feet and eating them while soaring through the air. In early September these kites will join up with other kites and migrate to South America. They will return the following spring to nest.

Regional Plant Identification Guides for Kansas

About Regional Plant Identification Guides for Kansas

The Kansas Native Plant Society Facebook Group is a great place to share pictures of Kansas plants and get confirmation on identifications.  When it comes to identifying plants, guide books are important to HAVE, READ, and USE. I put together this list of regional books that include Kansas plants. Some of these books are especially helpful when identifying plants that barely range into Kansas. Included are links to purchase them from Amazon as well as directly from the publisher.

All Amazon links to products are affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase via one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support my Guide to Kansas Native Plants website and allows me to continue to add new content. Thank you for the support!

The Kansas Native Plant Society (KNPS) is an organization dedicated to our wildflowers, grasses, trees and other plants found in Kansas.

Wildflowers of the Western Plains: A Field Guide

Wildflowers of the Western Plains: A Field Guide covers 186 species of wildflowers with color photographs.

It is best for those who are identifying wildflowers in the western third of Kansas.

Consider purchasing it from the University of Nebraska Press.

Weeds of the Great Plains

Weeds of the Great Plains is a 7" x 10" hardbound book for the Great Plains. It covers over 400 species of "weeds" and contains 266 line drawings. Each species account includes a full page photograph along with close ups flowers, fruits, and other details to aid in identification,

Consider purchasing it directly from Nebraska Department of Agriculture for $25.00.

Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers

Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers: A Field Guide to Common Wildflowers and Plants of the Prairie Midwest has wildflowers from across the tallgrass prairie region.

It is best for the eastern half of Kansas. Some plants that are rare in Kansas will be found in this guide.

Consider purchasing it directly from FalconGuides for $22.95.

Ozark Wildflowers

Ozark Wildflowers contains wildflowers from across the Ozarks of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma & Arkansas. It covers 365 species of wildflowers.

For Kansas, It is best for identifying plants that are restricted to the southeastern corner of the state, but also contains wildflowers from across the eastern third of the state.

Consider purchasing it directly from FalconGuides for $22.95.

Missouri Wildflowers: A Field Guide to the Wildflowers of Missouri

Missouri Wildflowers: A Field Guide to the Wildflowers of Missouri obviously focuses on wildflowers of Missouri.

It can be useful for identifying wildflowers that barely range into Kansas as well as those found in eastern part of the state.

Consider purchasing it directly from the Missouri Department of Conservation for $16.00.

Field Guide: Shrubs and Woody Vines of Missouri

Field Guide: Shrubs and Woody Vines of Missouri covers 133 shrubs and 37 vines found in Missouri.

For Kansas, it can useful for identifying shrubs and woody vines found in the state as many of the those found in Missouri range into eastern Kansas.

Consider purchasing it directly from the Missouri Department of Conservation for $8.00.

Field Guide: Trees of Missouri

Field Guide: Trees of Missouri covers 174 species of trees native or naturalized in Missouri.

For Kansas, it can useful for identifying trees found in the state as many of the trees found in Missouri range into eastern Kansas.

Consider purchasing it directly from the Missouri Department of Conservation for $8.00.