Fox Sparrow Feeding 2018

In the middle of November 2018 this fox sparrow showed up in my Topeka Kansas yard. In the 25 years I’ve been feeding birds in my yard, this is the first time I’ve had a Fox Sparrow stay for more than a couple days. This one has been here for a few weeks now.
As you can see it likes to feed on the ground. And it likes to be near cover. When i first saw this bird it always stayed within inches of brush. But when I recorded this video it was coming out in the open a little more. I especially love how it scratches with both feet at once. To attract it and other sparrows I sprinkle cracked corn and white millet on the ground under my aromatic sumac shrub.
This fox sparrow is the red variety which breeds across northern Canada. The red variety is rusty brown with a gray head. Note the central breast spot of this heavily streaked sparrow. Also note its size- it’s larger than a junco. They winter in the eastern US and Topeka is in the western part of their winter range.
All of our native sparrows are ground feeders. To attract them to your yard, feed them near cover. If you don’t have natural cover, construct a brush pile and feed around it. I’ve included some links to reference books in the video description.

*Favorite Reference Books*
Sparrows of the US & Canada: https://amzn.to/2RoKaP6
Backyard Bird Feeding Bible: https://amzn.to/2KPYMV5
Guide to Kansas Birds: https://amzn.to/2Ss9jbL

Why are House Sparrows an Invasive Species Where Introduced 2018

Find the answers to the following questions.
What is a house sparrow?
How do you identify house sparrows?
Why are House sparrows an invasive species where they’ve been introduced?
How do house sparrows outcompete native cavity nesting birds?
How can you control house sparrows?
What effects do house sparrows have on native birds?
I'll share some of my experiences with house sparrows as well.

Learn House Sparrow Control: http://bit.ly/HouseSparrowControl

How to Kill Bush Honeysuckle with a Mattock 2018

Learn how to use only a mattock to kill bush honeysuckle – no herbicide required. Bush honeysuckle is a highly invasive plant introduced to North America. It eliminates all of the native plants of the forest floor. I demonstrate how to uproot the plants using a mattock. With the mattock you cut off the lateral roots and uproot the honeysuckle shrubs.


*Purchase Items similar to those in the video*
Truper Cutter Mattock: https://amzn.to/2FM2pg7

Truper Pick Mattock: https://amzn.to/2PK5x0k

Guess What Landed on this Sparrow Trap

It’s November 10 2018 and I’ve been trapping invasive house sparrows since the first of the month. The trap is right outside my home office window. I looked out and was taken aback at the sight of a red shouldered hawk on top of the trap. Who knew a sparrow trap would attract them? I had to go outside to scare it away and got within ten feet before it flew. Wow. such a cool bird to see so close. This is only the 5th time I’ve ever seen a red shouldered hawk in my yard. And last winter was the first time. But their numbers are increasing and I expect to see them visit more often.

Platform Feeders Attract More Birds

These birds were found in my Topeka Kansas yard on Nov 4, 2018.

My favorite method for serving sunflower seeds is with a hanging platform feeder as it attracts ground feeding birds as well as birds that feed in trees. I made this feeder but similar ones can be purchased. I placed a link for a similar feeder in the video description.

Here we have a female cardinal, note the crest and the brown color. The smaller streaked bird is a house finch. Listen for the red-bellied woodpecker and the white throated sparrow.

I believe this is an Oregon dark-eyed junco. Note the dark head, brown back, and reddish brown sides. The Oregon race is normally found in the west but a few do venture east.

Here we have a slate colored dark-eyed junco. This is a male as it is all gray except for its white underside. The slate colored junco is our most widespread race and winters all over the United States.

What a nice surprise to see a white-throated sparrow. I don’t see these that often except during migration. But some do stay here in the winter.

This female cardinal sure doesn’t seem to want to share with this female house sparrow.

She isn’t too keen on sharing with this black capped chickadee either.

Remember to place your feeder near cover so the birds can easily escape predators. And don’t forget a predator guard.

*Similar Items in video*

Platform Feeder: https://amzn.to/2REUaTT

Baffle: https://amzn.to/2t1dAZw

Shepherd’s hook: https://amzn.to/2MyqtSQ

How to Attract Warblers with a Spray Sprinkler 2018

How to Attract Warblers with a Spray Sprinkler 2018

The sprinkler I used is a Gardena spray sprinkler.  I like it because it creates a mist.  I’ve had this sprinkler for over 10 years and it still works like a charm. Look for a link in the description for this sprinkler.

To use the sprinkler, attach a hose to it, push the spike end into the ground near some tall vegetation, and turn on the hose.  If there are birds in the area they will be attracted to the mist almost immediately.

All of the footage of birds in this video have been slowed down to half the original speed to make it a bit easier to watch these fast moving birds.

On September 20 2018 in my Topeka Kansas yard I noticed small warbler like birds flying around in the trees.  For the past 5 days we were having temperatures in the 90s with strong south winds.  I decided to set up my small spray sprinkler next to some tall vegetation to see if it would attract the birds for better looks.  I was amazed at the number of warblers coming to bathe and drink in the mist.

I counted more than ten at one time in the area of the sprinkler.

I believe this is an orange-crowned warbler based on the fact that it is olive above and below with no eyering or wingbars. Furthermore it appears to have a relatively short tail. It may also be yellow warbler as it does seem to have some yellow below.  I’m no warbler expert so please let me know if you come up with a different identification.

These two warblers appear more uniform yellow. But I still believe they are orange crowned warblers because of their uniform color.  They also have a relatively short tail.  What species do you think they are?

This warbler is an easy one to identify.  It’s a male Wilson’s warbler.  The black cap and yellow body are its signature characteristics.  It’s always a treat to see one of these as we Kansans only see them during migration.

I believe this warbler is a yellow warbler.  Yellow warblers are quite variable in color.  Some are grayish, while others are brownish but some are bright yellow.  Note this bird’s brownish back and pale yellow breast with faint streaking.  It also has a relatively long tail.

Sadly I wasn’t prepared to record all the warblers that visited the sprinkler.  I did not get footage of the black-throated green or the northern parulas.  Good luck in using this sprinkler to attract warblers to your yard!



Get the Gardena Spray Sprinkler at https://amzn.to/2zt0cRi



Get Books on Warblers

The Warbler Guide: https://amzn.to/2zs3Zyd

A Field Guide to Warblers of North America: https://amzn.to/2QY9XgZ

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.