Lehigh Valley bird sightings for June 27

Blue Grosbeak (male)

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended June 27. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Bear Swamp, Northampton County

White-throated Sparrow, 1 on June 25.

Bethlehem, Northampton County

Peregrine Falcon, 5 in June 24; 2 on June 26.

Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Carbon County

Blue Grosbeak, 2 on June 22.

Wild Creek Reservoir, Carbon County

Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 from June 21 through at least June 26.

Whitehall, Lehigh County

Blue Grosbeak, 1 on June 21 and June 22 along Bridge Street.

Dark-eyed Junco, 1 on June 14.

Allentown, Lehigh County

Black-crowned Night-Heron, 1 fly-by on June 15.

Yellow-throated Warbler, 1 on June 22 at Lehigh Canal Park.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County

Ruddy Duck, 1 on June 21.

Kintnersville, Bucks County

Peregrine Falcon, 1 on June 14.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County

Prothonotary Warbler, 2 during the past week.

To report bird sightings to Dave DeReamus, send an e-mail to becard@rcn.com with the word "Birdline" in the subject heading.

Sunflower chips: How are they made?

Sunflower chips are one of the most popular seeds sought by backyard bird lovers. They have three major advantages: 

• Most birds love to eat them. They are high in protein, dietary minerals and fats.
• The chips are combined with other seed mixes.
• They leave no mess underneath feeding stations. (What the birds don't consume at the feeder are quickly gobbled up by ground-feeding birds such as Mourning Doves and sparrows).

But where do the sunflower chips come from? I mean, how do the sunflower seeds shed their hulls so they become tasty, shell-free morsels?

The Bird House uses premium sunflower chips

We got an explanation from one of our vendors, Lizzie Mae Bird Seed & Dry Goods, an Amish-run company based in Ohio.

Raw sunflower seeds are fed into dehuller machines. The shell is shattered off the seed by air that forces it against the inside of the bin. Screens then scalp off the shell while each sunflower seed goes through an electric eye. The shell-less seeds then are graded into separate sizes.

The best seeds are used for humans consumption. Kernels that don't pass inspection are sent to Lizzie Mae for use as bird seed.

In our store, we use premium sunflower chips—the coarsest types of kernels—in our bags of straight sunflower chips.

Coarse and medium chips are used in our shell-free medley, which includes split peanuts and hulled white millet. 

The finest-sized chips are mixed with Nyjer seed to create a finch mix that is popular with goldfinches and chickadees. Powdery seed is discarded.

Coarse chips also become the main ingredient in bags of #2 Chips, which are less expensive than straight sunflower chips. The #2 Chips include 70 percent sunflower kernels and 30 percent seed in the shell, primarily striped sunflower seed.

Sunflower chips also are used in several varieties of other blends, in varying proportions, depending on the types of birds you wish to attract.

Which kinds of backyard birds eat sunflower chips? Cardinals, chickadees, goldfinches, House Finches, Purple Finches, nuthatches, wrens, Tufted Titmice, Pine Siskins, woodpeckers, Mourning Doves, grosbeaks, juncos and House Sparrows are among the biggest consumers. 

And, of course, sunflower chips are coveted by squirrels. To keep squirrels at bay, consider using a squirrel-resistant feeder such as the Squirrel Buster Plus or a caged feeder that lets smaller birds in but keeps squirrels (and starlings) out. Another option is adding a squirrel baffle to an existing shepherd's hook or hanging feeder. We can advise you on the best option for your situation.

Finally where are sunflowers grown? The biggest producers in the United States are the Plains states: Kansas, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Colorado and Texas. California also is a major grower. 

According to the National Sunflower Association, major international growers include Russia, Ukraine, the European Union nations, Argentina, China, India, Turkey and South Africa.

Consumers increasingly are turning to sunflower oil as a lighter, healthier oil in cooking, according to the Wild Bird Feeding Industry. WBFI says this has pushed up the price for bird feeding.

Source: Lizzie Mae Bird Seed & Dry Goods

Use calcium suet for eggshell formation

Calcium is an essential mineral for eggshell formation as well as bones formation and growth. Without sufficient calcium, eggshells can become thin and the eggs will break. Or young birds may develop deformities in their bones.

Female birds change their diets during nesting season to obtain calcium-rich nutrients. Seed and insects alone are insufficient. They provide only 10 percent of the calcium needed for egg laying.

Garden songbirds do not "store" extra calcium needed for egg laying. That would make the females too heavy and less maneuverable. So where do they get it? By gobbling up calcium within hours of egg laying.

One British study found that a female bird deposits 60 percent of the calcium needed for the eggshell within eight hours prior to laying. At this critical time, females must forage to collect huge quantities of calcium. They depend on calcium-rich nutrients naturally found in the soil, usually calcium carbonate. Fortunately that is found in many limestone-rich deposits in the Lehigh Valley area. But when acid rain saturates the soil, the amount of calcium may become insufficient.

Millipedes, worms and woodlice are part of birds' diets. The insects themselves don't provide all the necessary calcium needed for egg laying, but the soil in the insects' gut does. Some birds even consume shells of spent eggs from their own broods.

You can assist female birds in two ways.

First, you can add egg shells to your bird seed. Be sure to sterilize the shells. Rinse the eggshells first to clean off the raw egg. Place the washed shells on a cookie sheet in an oven heated to 250 degrees for about a half hour. This will eliminate the salmonella in the egg shells. Then crush the shells using a rolling pin and add the material to the bird seed.

Another way of providing calcium to female birds' diet is by offering them calcium-rich suet dough. "Calcium Delight" is available at The Bird House. The females can feast on the suet, taking up as much calcium as they need. Other ingredients include roasted peanuts, corn, rendered beef suet, oats and soy oil—which together provide plenty of fat and protein needed as energy right after egg-laying.

By offering calcium-rich suet dough, the fledglings and young birds can develop stronger bones to help them for long-distance migration in the fall.

Calcium Delight is a no-melt suet dough that comes in standard-sized suet feeders.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for June 22

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended June 22. The list was compiled by The Bird House from reports reported through e-Bird, the online bird reporting service.

Bethlehem, Northampton County
(at Monocacy Nature Center)
Mute Swan, 1 (flying) on June 22.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 4 on June 22.
Also seen: Red-tailed Hawk, Eastern Wood-pewee.

Easton, Northampton County
(on Delaware Drive)
Wood Duck, female with 14 chicks on June 19.
Bald Eagle, 1 on June 18.
Warbling Vireo, 1 on June 18.
(at Forks of the Delaware)
Warbling Vireo, 1 on June 17.
Rough-winged Swallow, 1 adult and 3 juveniles, on June 17.

Great Horned Owl

Hanover Township, Northampton County
(on Princeton Drive)
Great-crested Gnatcatcher, 1 on June 18.

Jacobsburg State Park, Northampton County
Great Blue Heron, 1 on June 18.
Also seen: Ovenbird.

Green Pond, Northampton County
Great Horned Owl, 1 on June 16.

Palmer Bikeway, Northampton County
Indigo Bunting, 1 on June 15.
Also seen: Warbling Vireo, Common Yellowthroat.

Haafsville, Lehigh County
Blue-winged Warbler, 1 on June 21.
Killdeer, 1 on June 16.
Also seen: Cooper's and Red-tailed hawks.

Whitehall Township, Lehigh County
(at Bridge Street)
Black Vulture, 35 on June 21.
Turkey Vulture, 2 on June 21.
Also seen: Red-tailed Hawk, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting.
(at Brynwood Drive)
Dark-eyed Junco, 1 on June 14.

Baltimore Oriole

Trexlertown, Lehigh County
(at Rodale Park)
Red-tailed Hawk, 2 on June 21.
Downy Woodpecker, 4 on June 21.
Also seen: Red-bellied Woodpecker, Warbling Vireo.
(at Trexler Nature Preserve)
Great Blue Heron, 3 on June 20. American Kestrel (3 adults and 8 juveniles) on June 20.
Common Yellowthroat, 4 on June 20. Yellow Warbler, 4 on June 20.
Indigo Bunting, 7 on June 14. 
Orchard Oriole, 2 on June 20.
Baltimore Oriole, 1 on June 20.
Also seen: Black and Turkey vultures, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Warbling Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Yellow-throated Warbler, 1 on June 21.
Also seen: Downy and Pileated woodpeckers, Cerulean Warbler, Indigo Bunting.

Center Valley, Lehigh County
Willow Flycatcher, 2 on June 20.
Common Yellowthroat, 2 on June 20.
Yellow Warbler, 2 on June 20.
Also seen: Great Blue Heron, Black and Turkey vultures, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Parula.

Orchard Oriole (male)

Allentown, Lehigh County
(at Parkway Boulevard)
Baltimore Oriole, 2 on June 20.
Also seen: Downy and Pileated woodpeckers, Cerulean Warbler, Indigo Bunting.
(at Lehigh Parkway)
Common Merganser, 3 adults and 29 juveniles, on June 19.
Black Vulture, 2 on June 19.
Great-crested Flycatcher, 4 on June 19.
Warbling Vireo, 5 on June 19.
Baltimore Oriole, 8 on June 19.
Red-tailed Hawk, 4 on June 16.
Also seen: Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Worm-eating Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Red-eyed Vireo.

South Mountain Preserve, Lehigh County
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, 2 on June 18.
Veery, 5 on June 18.

Prairie Warbler

Shimersville, Lehigh County
Willow Flycatcher, 2 on June 20.
Also seen: Chestnut-sided Warbler, Indigo Bunting.

Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Lehigh County
Turkey Vulture, 2 on June 20.
Warbling Vireo, 3 on June 20.
Red-eyed Vireo, 5 on June 20.
Yellow Warbler, 2 on June 20.
Prairie Warbler, 6 on June 20.
Indigo Bunting, 4 on June 20.
Also seen: Bald Eagle, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Baltimore Oriole.

To report bird sightings to Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, send an e-mail to becard@rcn.com with the word "Birdline" in the subject heading. The Eastern PA Birdline is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Housing project at Green Pond Marsh hits a snag

Glossy Ibis: One of the species seen at Green Pond

Special to The Bird House

With last week's heavy downpour on everyone's mind, Bethlehem Township planners on Monday evening delayed action on a proposed 261-unit housing project near Green Pond Marsh because of concerns about managing storm water from the site.

The planners voted 5-1 to suspend review of the development plan until they learn more about the effects that water runoff that would have on the marshlands and on homes downstream. The vote means that the developer, Traditions of America, won't be able to move ahead until late summer at the earliest.

"This is a huge roadblock for them," said John Glagola, who heads the citizens group Save Green Pond. "They thought they would sail through the planning process but that's not going to happen."

Traditions of America, based in Radnor, wants to build a gated housing community catering to people age 55 and older who have the means to buy one of its $470,000 homes.

The 119-acre site adjoins the Green Pond Country Club—a key selling point for the developer.

It also adjoins the marsh, which the National Audubon Society says is an Important Bird Area, a designation given to special habitats for birds. Over the years, 182 different bird species have been identified at the marsh. Many of them are migrants that use the wetlands as a stopping-off point during their long-distance journeys. Eight of the species are either endangered or threatened in Pennsylvania.

During the past month, engineers and consultants have peppered the township planners with memos analyzing aspects of the development project but none of the reports specifically evaluated what storm water might have on the wetlands' water level or water quality.

Attorney Tom Elliott, who represents Save Green Pond, said the omission is serious because a township ordinance requires a public airing of storm water management issues.

Last week's intense rainstorm caused flooding problems throughout the area, as a resident of Church Road pointed out. Flooding also occurs along Nancy Run during lesser storms. The headwaters of that creek include some of the wetlands adjoining Green Pond.

Planning commission member Kenn Edinger said it would be prudent to wait for fuller analysis.

"I do believe that water quality should be looked at," Edinger said. "Whether it is detrimental to birds, we don't know."

At Edinger's suggestion, the planners voted to delay review of the project until the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission weighs in with its analysis. Les Walker cast the lone vote against tabling the project. Chairwoman Lee Stover abstained.

As a practical matter, the soonest the township planning commission could proceed with its review would be at its meeting on August 24.

Green Pond development is on the agenda for Township meeting.

There will be a meeting of the Bethlehem Township Planning Commission this Monday, June 22nd
at 7 PM. The meeting will be held at the Bethlehem Township Municipal Building, 4225 Easton Avenue, Bethlehem 18020.

The Traditions of America development at Green Pond is on the agenda for this meeting listed as "old business." A vote may be taken. [A vote would have been taken last month but since the Planning Commission did not have a quorum, no vote was taken.]

Last month's meeting was poorly attended by SaveGreenPond advocates to which the developer commented that no one must care!

As many people know, Green Pond Marsh is one of the best areas to observe wetland birds in the area. If you are able, please come and show the Bethlehem Township officials that Saving Green Pond Marsh will not be forgotten about.

Bird walk on Saturday at Lehigh Gap

Plan to attend a bird walk on Saturday, June 20, at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center to look for a variety of breeding birds, including Blue Grosbeaks, which have nested in the area in recent years.

See, listen to and photograph birds from the path that overlooks the Lehigh River—a stunning view. Plan to spend two miles on gravel paths. Short sections will be steep and others may be challenging for people with vertigo.

Dress accordingly for hot, humid weather. Make sure to bring water and appropriate footwear. The trip leader will be Chris Hugusson, of the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

The trip begins at 7 a.m. at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center's parking lot. You may register at the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society's website.

Directions: From the Lehigh Valley, drive north on Route 248 and turn left on Route 873 toward Slatington. After bridging the Lehigh River, continue toward Slatington. Before you reach town, make a sharp left onto Paint Mill Road, the site of the Lehigh Gap Nature Center.

If you wish, you can continue on the the optics demo at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center afterward.

Why feed birds in summer?

That question is often asked. There is plenty of seed and insects during the summer months. Conventional wisdom has it that we should feed birds when natural food is scarce.

But keep in mind that birds will visit feeders all year long, and summertime is the best season to watch their antics from your deck or patio as you sip a beverage or relax in comfort.

Some of the best moments can occur when overworked parent birds bring their fledglings to feeders and baths. Summer is the best time to spot birds not seen here during the winter. It's also the time to see brilliant breeding plumage such as those of bright yellow male goldfinches (Their feathers turn a dull olive color in the winter.) 

And who hasn't thrilled as chickadees and Downy Woodpeckers let you come so close—within a few feet—as they feed on seed or suet.

During breeding season, insects are a main food source. Many gardens today contain non-native species that lack the numbers and diversity of caterpillars—which makes it harder for parent birds to locate food for their chicks. Suet and mealworms provide a handy substitutes.

Summer is a great time to offer birds a place to drink or bath. You'll see a variety of birds, including those that don't usually come to feeders. It's a delight watching robins run along the ground, their heads cocked, looking for earthworms and grubs. After they eat, they'll head to your bath to drink or splash around.

Keeping feeders and baths clean during the summer is very important. Wet seed can easily get moldy in hot summer days. The mold can sicken birds. Throw out contaminated seed and replace with fresh seed.

Change the water in baths daily to provide fresh water for the birds and prevent mosquito larvae from hatching.

Naturalist George H. Harrison says it best: "Perhaps the greatest advantage of summer bird feeding is that the warmer temperatures encourage up-close feeding. Birds become accustomed to your presence and will eat and bathe only a few feet way while your enjoy the calls and songs ... To me there is no better way to enjoy a summer day."

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended June 14

Golden-winged Warbler

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended June 14. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Saylorsburg, Monroe County
Pine Siskin, 1 on June 6.

Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County
Golden-winged Warbler, 2 on June 5.

Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Carbon County
Merlin, 1 on June 7.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
Common Loon, 1 on June 6.

Kintnersville, Bucks County
Peregrine Falcon, 1 on June 9.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Prothonotary Warbler, 3 present this week.

To report bird sightings to Dave DeReamus, send an e-mail to becard@rcn.com with the word "Birdline" in the subject heading.

New Product: Crystal Clear Feeder

A House Finch perches to feed

The unique Crystal Clear Feeder is a see-through feeder that gives you a clear view of birds as they peck for seed. Hang it from a pole, wire or tree branch. The clear dome enables you to see birds directly from a window or deck. You can even see them by watching them above through a second-story window.

The feeder measures 12 inches by 12 inches and is made of long-lasting cedar. The polycarbonate dome keeps the seed fresh and dry. The bottom pan has a mesh for drainage. A four-chain suspension system comes with a metal hook for hanging.

The feeder holds up to 4 cups of seed. You can use sunflower seed, sunflower chips, safflower, peanuts (either whole or in chunks), cracked corn, fruit or a blend of seed.

Depending on your choice of seed, you may attract cardinals, chickadees, finches, mockingbirds, nuthatches, siskins, sparrows, blackbirds, titmice, warblers, starlings, waxwings, woodpeckers and wrens. 

For those lucky enough to see bluebirds in their yard, the feeder is a great way to offer mealworms. Keep in mind that mealworms aren't just for bluebirds; wrens, chickadees, titmice and catbirds also enjoy them or feed them to their young. 

Place a slice of orange on the metal pan and you might attract orioles, waxwings, catbirds, grosbeaks or tanagers.

The Crystal Clear Feeder is a versatile way to entice birds to your yard while affording the offering the greatest visibility in a platform-style feeder.

New Product: Jewel Box Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbirds are sometimes referred to as Nature's "jewels" because of the iridescent beauty. The Jewel Box Window Feeder lets you watch hummingbirds close-up as they feed.

The dazzling red cover resemblers the flowers that Ruby-throated Hummingbirds savor. The high view perches allows them to sit and feed. The feeder has a generous 8-ounce capacity and three feeding ports that are engraved on the lid. Included is an optional ant moat to prevent ants from reaching the nectar. To fill the feeder, simply lift the hinged top.

The entire feeder comes apart for easy cleaning. The feeder is dishwasher safe when used on the top rack.

You can attach the Jewel Box Feeder to a window using the suction cups that are provided. But in case you'd prefer to mount it on a deck, the feeder also comes with wood screws.

One final advantage to the feeder: It's made in the United States for Songbird Essentials, a  Missouri-based distributor of birding products. The feeder comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week of June 6

Peregrine Falcon

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended June 6. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Bethlehem, Northampton County
Peregrine Falcon, 2 on June 3.

Moore Township, Northampton County
Pine Siskin, 1 on May 31.

Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Carbon County
Blue Grosbeak, 1 on June 5.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Common Loon, 1 on June 2 and 2 on June 3.
Common Tern, 1 on June 3.

Wild Creek Reservoir, Carbon County
Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 on May 31.

Common Tern

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
Ruddy Duck, 1 on June 4.
Caspian Tern, 1 on May 24.
Also seen: Semipalmated Plover.
(At the Church Road area)
Black Tern, 1 on May 31.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Common Tern, 1 on June 1.
Gray-cheeked Thrush, 1 on May 24.
Prothonotary Warbler, 2 continued this past week.

To report bird sightings to Dave DeReamus, send an e-mail to becard@rcn.com with the word "Birdline" in the subject heading.

New Product: Squirrel Defeater

The never-ending battle against squirrels has a new weapon in the arsenal: the Squirrel Defeater.

As the squirrel reaches up the pole to raid the seed, the spring-loaded perch shuts automatically, closing off the metal seed port. The feeder also has a built-in baffle to keep the squirrel from trying to climb down from a tree limb. A secondary baffle helps protect the seed ports from rain. 

One of the unique features of the feeder is its ability block grackles, starlings and other large birds from gobbling up seed. Each of the four perches is individually-controlled. If a large bird lands on a perch, the seed port closes. Smaller birds such as chickadees can continue feeding at the same time on their perches. With the Squirrel Defeater, you can offer sunflower chips to smaller birds without worrying about larger birds gorging themselves on it.

The feeder consists of long-lasting UV-protected polycarbonate seed tube, a UV-protected polypropylene base and baffle lid, and chew-proof stainless steel port guards and hanger. The lid fits snugly but slides up for refilling. The feeder holds one quart of seed.

Hints on hummingbirds

Many people who feed birds really, really want to include hummingbirds in their backyards. The most frequent question I get asked in the spring is, "Seen any hummingbirds yet?"

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is sole breeding hummingbird in the Lehigh Valley. Feeders and flowers are a great way to attract them. They can fly straight and fast but also can stop instantly, hover, adjust their position up or down, or even fly backwards. They live in open woodlands, meadows, forest edges, grasslands, parks, gardens and backyards.

Males can be distinguished by an iridescent ruby-red patch on their throats (hence the name). Females or juveniles lack this patch and have a white throat; their back is a duller green.

A male allows two females to feed

USE SEVERAL FEEDERS. Hummingbirds are very territorial. One reason is that they  must feed every 20 to 30 minutes during waking hours. That daily quantity of food is huge. They can eat double their weight in nectar every day. If we put that in human terms, a 150-pound individual would have to eat 2,900 Oreo cookies every day! 

A hummingbird protects a patch of flowers or a feeder that will supply the quantity of food required. They are especially hungry in the morning after not eating all night. Flowers produce most of their nectar at night to there is plenty of food when the hummingbird is hungriest.

With one feeder, a dominant bird will guard and chase other hummingbirds away. However, by hanging a few feeders in your backyard, one bird cannot guard them all. It gives several birds an opportunity to feed at the same time. Place a feeder 10 to 15 feet from the nearest bush in an open area that receives partial sun. During hot days, change the nectar about every three days. Feeders should be washed every time the nectar is changed.A variety of hummingbird feeders are available at The Bird House.

 


SELECT THE RIGHT FLOWERS. Plant flowers that are red, orange or pink. Select flowers that bloom at different times so the birds will stay for the full season. They have good color vision and even can see ultraviolet light, which humans cannot see. Hummingbirds have no sense of smell. Many of the flowers that they feast on likewise have little or no fragrance.

Among the flowers that hummingbirds welcome are:

• Shrubs and trees such as azalea, butterfly bush, flowering quince, red buckeye (Aesculus pavia), rhododendron (only the red Catawba variety), rose of sharon and weigela. 
• Vines such as trumpet creeper, coral honeysuckle (avoid the yellow invasive Japanese variety), scarlet runner bean (grown in this area as an annual) and red morning glory (also an annual). 
• Perennials such as anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum, sometimes called "hummingbird mint"), bee balm (Monarda), canna, cardinal flower, columbine (red varieties), coral bells, foxglove, lantana, lupine, digitalis (a variety of Penstemon) and yucca (even though it's usually not reddish). 
• Annuals such as beard tongue (another variety of Penstemon), fuchsia, hummingbird flower (Zauschneria), impatiens and red salvia.

Hummingbirds need nectar for energy but they also need protein to thrive. They eat small flying insects such as fruit flies or gnats. You can attract hummingbirds by draping a banana peel in a partly sunny area, away from your patio or deck. The tiny flies will gather and so will the hummingbirds! Another option is to hang an orange half from a tree branch using twine.

OTHER TIPS. Make your backyard more hospitable to hummingbirds. They need places to perch. Most of the time (especially during nighttime) they sit on twigs, stems and clothes lines. They cannot hop or walk. You can add perching locations by offering special perching. These are available at The Bird House.

Never use red dye to color the nectar. Some of the dyes actually are harmful to the birds. Red hummingbird feeders are sufficient. The Bird House has hummingbird nectar in powder form. All you do is add water. Alternatively you could use white sugar in a ratio of 1 part sugar:4 parts boiling water. Once cooled you fill the feeder; any left over nectar can be stored in the refrigerator.

If bees descend on your feeder, try using a feeder with a bee guard. The hummingbird can reach its beak into the guard but bees cannot. They eventually leave.

If ants are a problem, a nectar protector hung above the feeder will block the ants from getting to the feeder. Simply fill the protector with water. You can add a tablespoon of vegetable oil. That should keep the water from evaporating quickly.

Female feeds her chick

You can attract even more hummingbirds to your hanging flower basket by adding a hummingbird feeder designed to hang in the basket.

NESTING. After mating, the male Ruby-throated Hummingbird doesn't participate in rearing the young. The female does all the work. She selects the nesting site, which usually is the top of a branch 10 to 40 feet above the ground. She uses thistle and dandelion seed, and bits of fiber such as cotton, and then adds stands of spider silk to hold everything together. She sometimes will decorate it with bits of lichen and moss, possibly as camouflage.

Hummingbirds have one or two broods, each with one to three eggs. The size of the egg is no more than that of a pea. The female incubates the eggs for 12 to 14 days, longer if the weather is cooler than usual. She then raises the chicks.

Nyjer or thistle?

Size of Nyjer seed compared to a quarter

Nyjer, niger or thistle are all names used to describe a tiny black seed used for bird-feeding. However, only Nyjer is the correct usage.

To differentiate between the imported "niger" seed (named in association with the African country of Nigeria) and thistle, as well as to avoid any mispronouncing of the word "niger," the Wild Bird Feeding Industry trademarked the name Nyjer in 1998.

Nyjer comes from a yellow, daisy-like flower but thistle seed comes from pink to purple ball-shaped flower heads. Thistle is considered a noxious weed that is capable of taking over entire farm fields in North America.

To protect our environment from any invasive weed seeds, all imported shipments of Nyjer are heat sterilized to prevent germination. The Bird House carries only Nyjer seed.

Goldfinches love Nyjer seed

Goldfinches, House Finches, chickadees, Pine Siskins, Mourning Doves and juncos all love Nyjer. Another bonus: Squirrels typically ignore Nyjer.

Nyjer is high in calories and oil content and can dry out. If it does, many birds will ignore it. Nyjer, as tiny as it is, has a shell. You may see piles of those shells under your feeders.

Tube-style feeders with small slits are ideal for dispensing Nyjer seed to goldfinches. Being so tiny, Nyjer seed acts as a wick when it rains and can easily become moldy, which is bad for the birds. Shake the feeder often to break up any clumps or refill with fresh seed.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week of May 29

Blue Grosbeak (male)

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended May 29. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Bear Swamp, Northampton County
Gray-cheecked Thrush, 2 on May 23.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Common Tern, 1 on May 22.

Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Carbon County
Blue Grosbeak, 1 on May 23.

Lehigh Furnace Gap, Lehigh County
Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 on May 23.

Trexler Park, Lehigh County
Ruffed Grouse, 1 on May 25.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Prothonotary Warbler, 2 continued to be seen during the past week.

Pine Siskins continued to be reported at several sites during the past week. 

To report bird sightings to Dave DeReamus, send an e-mail to becard@rcn.com with the word "Birdline" in the subject heading.

Trip planned for state game lands in Lehigh County

If you're an early bird, you may wish to attend a field walk planned for Sunday, June 7, at State Game Lands 205, a little-visited birding area in Lehigh County. The event is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Meet at 5:30 a.m. (yes, that's right!) at the Lehigh Valley Zoo in Schnecksville. From there, travel to the game lands to look for grassland bird species and hear them sing early in the morning. 

If you're lucky, you might see an Eastern Meadowlark, a Bobolink and even a Blue Grosbeak. Grasshopper, Vesper and Savannah sparrows are target species as well.

The walk will be in tall grass, so be sure to use waterproof footwear and long, bright pants to ward off ticks.

Scott Burnet will lead the walk. The trip should conclude at about 11:30 a.m.

Meet at the parking lot of the zoo, which is located at 5150 Game Preserve Road in Schnecksville. From Route 100, turn east onto Game Preserve Road. The road twists and turns for awhile before you reach the zoo. Information and map: Lehigh Valley Audubon Society's website.

Cardinals need a little TLC

Short neck of a female cardinal

Question
Cardinals are my favorite bird. I have a tube feeder and I fill it with sunflower seeds. But the cardinals never come to the feeder. I see other birds but no cardinals. What's wrong? Help!

Answer
I sympathize with your plight. Cardinals are the favorite of almost every backyard birdwatcher. Fortunately they are one of the most frequently seen birds in this area, according to the 2014 Great Backyard Bird Count.

Before we begin, we need to have a little anatomy lesson about the cardinal. Cardinals have short necks. They prefer to eat their food head-ons whereas most other backyard birds are able to turn their necks to reach seed ports on tube feeders. Cardinals need a little encouragement.

There are several options that should solve your problem.

If you have a tube feeder made by Droll Yankees, you can buy special perches designed specifically for cardinals. Their Perch Ring simply slips onto the perches on your tube feeder. The Versa Perch attaches to the base of the feeder.

Versa Perch is designed for cardinals

Another possibility for a Droll Yankees feeder is to attach a try onto the bottom of the feeder. We carry two sizes: 7½ inches in diameter and 10½ inches. Cardinals will feel comfortable using either one.

(To find out if your tube feeder is made by Droll Yankees, simply check the lid. It will be embossed with the company's name.)

If your feeder isn't made by Droll Yankees, try the Seed Hoop, a netlike device that is easily hung from any tube feeder. The Seed Hoop catches seed spilled by other birds; the cardinal simply perches on the Seed Hoop to feed. It also works with hopper-style feeders. (The Seed Hoop has another advantage: It keeps seed from spilling onto your lawn.)

The Seed Hoop comes in two sizes: 16 inches in diameter and 24 inches in diameter. We carry both but usually the 16-inch size is fine for most feeders. 

You have one more option. You can buy a ground feeding station. It is a separate standing unit that stands about 6 inches above the ground. A mesh bottom lets rainwater pass through. Cardinals have no trouble at all feasting from this feeder. 

Seed Hoop attached to a hopper feeder

(Keep in mind that a ground feeder is welcome territory for squirrels. You can deter them by using safflower seed or shelled sunflower chips coated with hot pepper powder or liquid. Safflower is one of the cardinal's favorite food; most songbirds, including cardinals, will readily eat hot pepper seed. They have few taste buds and they stomach the spicy seed. Squirrels find safflower to be bitter, and they won't eat seed coated with hot pepper unless they are desperate for food. They'll probably pay for that later.)

So those are your options. Each one works. Please visit the store and we'll be glad to offer advice on we can meet your needs.