Archive for June, 2009
Decorative birdhouses
A birdhouse is an artificial, man-made structure provided for birds to nest in. Birdhouses are most frequently utilized for wild and domesticated birds, but some mammal species such as bats may also use them.
Decorative birdhouses are usually wooden, though some for birds are made from concrete a mixtures of wood and concrete. While some are made from metal, these are generally unsuitable for outdoor use, as they can overheat easily in sunshine.
Cleaning Your Birdfeeder
Conscientious birders regularly clean their feeders to ensure that disease potential is minimized. Furthermore, clean feeders will attract more wild birds because the fresh, clean seed is more appealing and nutritious.
For the cleanest, healthiest and most attractive feeders:
• Clean Regularly: All feeders should be thoroughly cleaned at least once per month, but popular feeders may need to be cleaned much more frequently depending on how many birds use them and how much seed is consumed. Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned each time the nectar is refilled.
• Use Proper Cleaning Solutions: Feeders can be sanitized with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts hot water. Commercial birdfeeders cleaning solutions are also effective, and a mild solution of unscented dish detergent is acceptable as well.
• Clean All Feeder Parts: For the best sanitation and disease prevention, each feeder should be cleaned inside and out, including all feeding ports, perches, lids, platforms and reservoirs. The feeder’s hooks, poles and any other part where birds may perch or where feces may collect should also be cleaned.
• Use Proper Equipment: Use rubber gloves to avoid any contamination and use stiff brushes to ensure thorough cleaning. Birdfeeder and pet supply stores will have specialized brushes for different sizes and shapes of feeders, though regular bottle brushes can also be effective. An old toothbrush is a great option for cleaning small parts, feeding ports and tight corners.
• Rinse Thoroughly: After cleaning, the feeder and all cleaned parts should be rinsed for at least 10 seconds in clear, clean water to be sure all chemical residue is removed.
• Dry Completely: Before refilling the feeder, it should be completely dry. Any remaining moisture could lead to mold and mildew that can cause illness and rotten, unhealthy seed.
What is Shabby Chic?
Shabby chic items are often heavily painted with many layers showing through obviously worn areas. The style is imitated in Faux Painting using glaze or by painting then rubbing and sanding away the top coat to show the wood or base coats. Fabrics tend to be cottons and linens, with linen being particularly popular, inspired by old French linens. Whites and worn or bleached out pastels are favorite colors. Fabric is often stained with tea to give it the look of old fabric. Bleached and faded are terms often applied to the style.
The essence of shabby chic home decor is vintage and antique furniture painted white (or another soft pastel color) and distressed at the corners by sanding. Pink, mint green, and soft aqua are also popular colors seen in accessories and fabrics.
Popular decor items are pillows made of vintage barkcloth fabric, vintage linens, chenille bedspreads, vintage chandeliers, and anything with roses on it. It is a soft, relaxed feminine romantic way of decorating that looks comfortable and inviting. Also called Cottage style.
Get to know new items every time
The Pacific Northwest has so many native species of birds that it can be hard to keep track of which ones are visiting your birdfeeder each day. To get a wide variety of birds to eat at your feeder try using a variety of food to lure them; sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, peanuts and traditional bird seed are food types that can be used to attract different birds.
You will be surprised how many different colors shapes and sizes of birds you will see. Gold finches, nut hatchers, cardinals, bluebirds, woodpeckers and doves are all frequent visitors to Pacific Northwest birdfeeders. If you’re really interested in identifying the birds purchase some bird-watching binoculars for a birds-eye view.