I started feeding Ravens when I moved on this ranch 12 years ago. Two years ago a pair nested very close. A Baby ended up on the ground. The parents didn't want to continue taking care of her. So I did. She chose to stay around, uncaged, unclipped and untethered. Started a channel if anyone is interested. Blessing of my lifetime!
I go through about 400 lbs of sunflower seeds, 200 lbs of corn and about five cases of suet a year. Turkeys and deer eat the corn, birds of all kinds eat the rest. I would rather watch my bird feeder than TV. Awesome video, thanx 😄
Yes, I feed the birds in winter in Tokyo! When most of the neighboring persimmons ripen and drop from the trees, I start preparing food for birds. My indoor cat loves watching the birds.
From my experiences in treestands, chickadees, nuthatches, wrens, vireos and woodpeckers migrate thru the woods together, on a daily schedule. On cold, bitter days they maybe all you hear and see. And they are so friendly and trusting.
@@StefanSobkowiak singing birds have a biological mechanism that creates dopamine when they sing and a higher level of dopamine makes them sing. It's like you give yourself huggs all the time and then hugg yourself some more.
Here in Alabama, I have loads of cardinals, bluejays and redwinged blackbirds all hanging out together at the feeders and "being friendly". Makes me wonder why people can't get along and share their food stash in the same way. They are all so beautiful and fun to watch.
I've been feeding birds for years, decades. Years ago I had a spider problem. They were spiders all over my house all over everything. Now that I have birds here year-round there are no spiders on my house anywhere and very few that I find anywhere in the yard. Besides I just love birds. They're such beautiful creatures.
Wasps & other critters still eat flies. You just don't have as many spiders hanging around. Just as hawks show up to eat the birds & squirrels to thin their herds a bit as well. It's a system.@@typingcat
I love the birds in winter! I watch them closely, and yes, they go over every square inch of wooded bark and help with pests! Once you partnership with birds, gardening goes to the next level.
Wow. This vid makes me so happy. I enjoyed learning about the chickadee dee dees, one of my top fave bird allies. I often wondered how they ate all the grain I tossed around so quickly. I hope teachers will find this and show it in the schools and on line programs.
Love your Channel, Stefan. Not only are you supremely knowledgable, your spirit and passion for what you do is unmatched. Watching you so inspired and full of life helps me slow down, relax, and be present. Thank you
I live in Labrador Canada, a very very cold climate in winter. Over a week ago I went for a walk along the lake and saw the abundance of food in and on the trees. The little winter birds were jumping from branch to branch eating. And if they were to run out in that area, they will fly to other trees, shrubs and areas. Alot more food out there in nature then you realize. If there is here in -50c weather am sure there is pretty much everywhere there is trees. I see you have plenty of trees in the background. God bless They are cute though I have to agree!😊
There needs to be an abundance of vegetation that provides the seeds, nuts and berries birds need in the winter. Most of suburbia is a monoculture of grass and natural ecosystems are constantly being replaced by developments. A friend of mine is a Master Arborist and he said it used to be when a tree died another was planted but he said the last decade people don't want another tree because they don't want the leaves in their yard! Crazy but true - that's why we need to provide for wildlife as much as we can because there are less and less resources for them.
Because of loss of Native Perrenial understory, Because of the introduction of Immitaion Japanese honeysuckle that has destroyed the trees, bushes, wild flowers, are gone. I feed the birds 🐦 everyday ♥
I'm in Colorado at 8,500 ft. It was -9°F last night. It may be the altitude more than the temperature, but I rarely see any bird in winter. Most people know it's Spring when the robins come back, I know it's spring when any bird comes back. I will put some bird seed out this week, but I have to wait until the bears are hibernating or they'll come and try to take all of it. We have a huge problem with the pine tip borer and moth. If this helps control those I'm all for it.
There probably is food in early winter, but late winter, early spring is a desert. Once the nuts and berries have gone there is a difficult patch, made worse by non native species and climate change. Plus here in England, farming methods have destroyed winter bird feeding habits.
@@chiarabay9364 You're correct - plus it all depends what kind of trees and shrubs one has, certain ones provide abundance for the birds. I am planting more of the trees and shrubs and not cutting back perennials that provide food, shelter and nesting for them plus the bird feeders like you said winter to early spring is the toughest time on them. You would be surprised how what I do goes a long way so every little bit helps them.
I am a proud bird feeder. We have had the same cardinals in our yard for three years, they are a part of our family. Along with all the other birds. I have three feeders that I have to fill every two days!!! So rewarding to just watch them
I may not have the beautiful landscape that's in this video, that's because I'm in Liverpool, England, but I feed my family of hedge sparrows, blackbird & Robin daily, I think they are realising I mean them no harm & they are becoming more & more brave towards me, just to watch them feeding & flying back to their roost in the garden behind me is a joy.
Had to move into town 9 years ago so we don't see a big variety; mostly finch types now. A MOB of them ! Very few people are feeding this year in our neighborhood so they are going threw about 25 lbs. of sunflower seed, mixed wild bird seed, cracked corn mixes and 2 cakes of suit per week.
I like your videos because I find them relaxing and educational at the same time. Thanks for posting them. You’ve inspired me to start to convert my orchard over to more of a permaculture situation.
Fantastic. If you make the centre of your orchard in this way it provides a safe haven for predators and beneficials and gives you the biggest bang for the buck.
My heart is lifted up this morning from watching your video! The sounds and sights of the birds touch me with happiness. Your whistles are exquisite too! More whistling, please. Thank you, Stephan..
I love in an apartment, building, second floor. We are not permitted to hang anything from our windows or on the fire escape. However, I place a glass pie pan with bird seed each morning on the fire escape. All I get are a few pigeons and a lot of sparrows and wrens. Every once in a while, a cardinal or a blue jay will stop by. But, as soon as the seed is gone, I will bring in the pie pan. There's a tree directly across from my fire escape. If there are still birds in the tree, I will refill the pie tray. I always make sure to bring the pan in once the birds fly away. Especially in the winter and very cold weather, I feel like I am doing something to help our feathered friends.
I look for nooks, too....in my life. I love your bird language and how "quickly" they responded. I enjoyed your humor and less pest, organic practices.
I live in Chicago, right in the middle of the city. Winters are brutal. Right now it's -20 wind chill. I keep a thick row of bird seed on the windowsill all winter. Drives my cats nuts, lol, but I'm determined to help them. Once the trees blossom in early spring, they don't need me anymore. Until then, I do what I can.
My neighbor has an apartment style bird house in his backyard with close to twenty chickadee's living there, I noticed the magpies would come and able to fish out and eat their eggs so one day I built a small birdhouse with just a 1 1/2" hole in it. I put it close to my neighbors but lower to the ground and sure enough they use it as a nursery every year but none live in it fulltime. The magpies try hard to get at the eggs but can't reach. Sometimes the chicks come out too early and fall to the ground without flying, I pick them up and put them back and they don't seem to mind.
@@allouttabubblegum1984 Any native which grows locally, preferably with flowers in spring (insect food which also attracts the birds) Flowers turn to berries in autumn. I have Blackthorne but Hawthorne is another good one. Your local garden cetre will help. Just three or four planted in a row is a start, then add as you feel.
I have feeders out at strategic locations on my wooded property, I use them for the same effect but directed more at keeping ash borers out or under control, I only have 7 fruit trees, but a large garden too. I don't use pesticides. The resident feeder frequenting bird population is high, Chicadee's, Nut hatches, hairy and downy woodpeckers, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Grosbeaks, Junco's and more. I still have large healthy Ash and a healthy pest free garden.
Lots of good ash trees here, no signs of ash borer yet. Similar mix of birds in my MN woods and fields. Also have lots of good oaks. I leave the dead oaks standing because the woodpeckers love them. I cut wood for firewood, but only downed trees. There are so many boxelders and ironwood here constantly dying, rotting and falling over, lots of good forage for the critters, but a nuisance for me. I really do not like boxelder trees.... giant weeds.
@@flightographist My woods are littered with fallen over boxelders. They spread like the plague, same with the ironwood. There's no shortage of them for the critters. And yeah, they will crowd out other trees. Those things grow any direction, even horizontal to reach for life and they don't die even when fallen over and rotten, just keep throwing out more shoots. Nasty things. The only positives are that the heartwood can be beautiful and because they rot so quick, I'm using them in a giant hugel kultur experiment.
@@flightographist I have buckthorn creeping in from a wildlife management area. Kind of upset about that. It runs wild out there and spreads very fast. I have been keeping it at bay but doesnt do much good when the wildlife area isnt dealing with it. Coincidentally it is just uphill from a pond and slough I am building a shelterbelt for. I have the added issue of having restrictions on what I can and can't do relating to conservation agreements instituted in perpetuity by a previous owner.
I feed for the same reasons. I call them my "bird army"; in summer they manage most of the insect pests I have. I rarely have to deal with garden pests myself. I think the abundance of permanent residents makes even more of the migratory species recognize my property as a good place to stay in summer, even if they don't use my feeders.
I leave food scraps for all the animals in my backyard. No meat, a lot of bread and salad scraps. The turtles, rabbits, squirrels and birds have a feast most days
Awe I love feeding the birds. Didn’t realize to feed them in the orchard. Great tips. I don’t use chemicals either. Just found your channel and subscribed Blessings! Wendy🥶❤️🐞🐝
I stayed in a lovely farmhouse in Germany this year where there were swallow nests inside the barn dormitory; bats and swallows would come in and eat all the insects. We slept with no mosquito netting every night without a single mosquito bite.
1:24 Yay! for Allies! We were an ally and had many of those in Stanley Park. We fed Ours crushed peanuts. It can be very healing and therapeutic to have positive and personal interactions with Nature. Great vid.
THANK YOU for sharing this WISDOM! We did not know this about smaller birds (that they eat until full then cache seeds all over the place in trees, which in turn attracts other birds like woodpeckers, and they collectively keep the trees healthier). We're all about symbiotic relationships on our property, and it's AMAZING how well it all works. After you mentioned this, we suddenly NOTICED that the small birds indeed DO this, and now we SEE them doing it all the time! And sure enough, THAT'S why we have several woodpeckers of different varieties visiting our property so often. We literally just watched a chickadee deposit seeds on a tree and then moments later, a woodpecker showed up and ate the seeds, then moved on to another tree to hammer away and dig out some bugs from the bark. SO COOL! We NEVER noticed that until your video. So THANK you for making us SEE!
Last year I have started bird feeding on my balcony. It was an incredible experience, how birds start observing and interacting with humans. When a new person (to them) was on the balcony, often they came to "inspect" them. Unfortunately, during my summer vacation, nobody has fed them. And they didn't come back, when I started again. I think, there was plenty of food elsewhere. Even now - we haven't had frost so far - they aren't interested. But, in February beside food I will provide animal hair for their nests (human hair is dangerous for them!), I am sure I get back their appreciation that way.
Not sure if human hair is a problem...wouldn't think so... but the humming birds here make nests from hair.. I have a HAIRY dog...and the few nest I find in my yard match my dog... Cheers N.Ont Canada. ..
Thanks for your informative and entertaining video. I've taken up feeding birds since I retired. I enjoy them and also like the idea of controlling the unwanted insects. Watching this confirmed ideas which I have been working with and opened up more areas for thought. Thanks again.
I feed chickadees not hatches three different types of woodpeckers blue Jays have to tip mice Cardinals juncos and whatever else ends up showing up. I've only been on my property for six months and it will be my second permaculture property. I'm happy to say the birds were well established when I got here though there is not a single fruit or not bearing tree on my property
to me it's the only way. i leave wild flowers all about my yard areas when i mow, especially in late summer. my field areas supply the rest. my property remains full of birds feeding even during the coldest of times.
@@StefanSobkowiak Is it something you have to keep at to maintain the trust/bond? Its getting colder in sask. I probably won't be able to do it as much as I'd like to.
I have been feeding the birds around my house for the past 2 months. I buy whatever walmart has for bird food and the birds seem to like it. I just pour the food on the concrete sidewalks. Its amazing to see them eat and then they take off at the same time. The wings of a dozen birds taking off at the same time makes one heck of a sound.
I now have 5 feeders and about to put up my 6th. Hundreds of birds. When there is a cat on the property the birds will fly by my door and chirp and let me know. So I go outside and there's a cat and I walk it off the property then walked back under the bird tree and they start going off thanking me. I love the birds. In the Summer I'll go out at 5 am to fill the feeders. It's dead quiet and dark. As I fill the feeders I'll start whistling then the dark morning is full of bird songs. Birds are very smart and they are always watching.
I feed birds and squirrels from November till the end of May . I go through about 250 pounds of roasted peanuts unsalted and 250 pounds of Kaytee waste free bird feed . That helps them to get through the winter , especially if it’s real cold or snowy .
Yet another good reason to feed the birds. My feeders get lots and lots of chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers. Having observed them a lot, I have suspected they help me out, but now you have given me a new strategy for pest control. I guess I will be moving feeders around(except the one my cats like to watch). Great tip on the cardboard wrap. Love it the birds eat from your hand. I'm going to have to work on that one. All I can do is get my chipmunks eating from hand. I do love those chickadees. Thanks for this video. The birds really do bring a lot of joy too.
These are awesome ideas to set up the whole predator feeding concept in your orchard! I just have a story to relay from going out to feed birds this morning on a stump. Because it was unusually cold for our area, I thought I’d go back again after a few hours. I found a bird stuck head down in a crack in the stump … helped him escape of course but now listening to your video made me realize that possibly what he was trying to do was stash a seed down in the crack and he got stuck!!! I stuffed a bunch of leaves in the crack, so it wouldn’t happen again . But interesting information one discovers from listening to videos like yours! Thank you 🐦🪳🙏
Hello and thanks for advice. Last year I did couple of boxes for tits and now I'm feeding them. It's a best friend in the winter months because there seems to be nothing else around at this time. Hopefully they'll stay forever ☺️
i always fed birds in the winter for 40 years til maybe 10 years ago and had mobility problems and hung the feeder from the eavestrough, i noticed they were not flying into the window and knocking themselves out any more , i saved so many but then along came a bear wrecked my eavestrough, another pleasure lost in old age!
Symbiosis goals! We grow sunflowers in our cover crop blends. Any chance you could supplement early feeding by planting sunflowers in the tree row? Thanks for sharing your journey!
Not in our tree row since SUNflowers need full sun. We have grown them in the veggie area and it does supplement. Although it brings in FLOCKS of birds that do not stay the winter, just eat it all and move on.
Growing up in Quebec I would put up nesting boxes and they would always get occupied by black cap chickadees. Our weeping birch was usually attacked by leaf minors except those summers when the chickadees were nesting in our yard.
I feed birds squirrels chipmunks rabbits occasional raccoon all year round. Retired it gets me outdoors walking and nature is breathtakingly beautiful all seasons. Enjoy your content.
Great video! I live in North Central Arizona. We usually have a number of snows from Dec. into May. Though usually each snow lasts a day to several days. At times, a week to several weeks. Two inches to 30 inches at night. I feed birds throughout the Winter. We even have a Hummingbird that you will see when there's nearly a foot of snow on the ground. Anna's Hummingbird can stay through the Winter. It's best once nights get cold to remove Hummingbird feeders so they will migrate South. But after a Month or so, I replace the feeders for any Hummers staying through the Winter. I even feed the Ravens on my roof and sometimes Hawks, since they nest in my tall trees.
@@StefanSobkowiak Seems cool I guess. The bird nerd has a video about the Anna's hummers wintering all the way into Canada I think. Now that surprised me. Thing is, I've read half of all hummers die each year. So I would rather see them fly to Mexico in the Winter. It must be very hard on them to find food and stay warm at night.
Hi Les, I just found your channel. I don't have fruit trees, but have hung a bird feeder on my only tree at the corner of my back porch. I LOVE watching them. They give the phrase "you eat like a bird" a Whole New meaning!! I feel like I'm constantly filling it. Do you have any words of wisdom relating to feeding birds in winter in the northeast Florida region? Sure appreciateya!
Welcome, thanks for joining. Lot's to see. For feeding it comes down to why do you feed them. I like to see them so I feed them. Even for your area sunflower should give the best results with no waste. You can also use fruit during migration to get orioles. Enjoy them.
@@StefanSobkowiak Thank you! Yes, I like to see them too. I lost my dog last year, so replaced bird seed for dog food 😉 The bird seed I bout does have sunflower seeds in it. I'll have to try the fruit!
Ooo, that's a really fun fact. I can't personally do feeding (prohibited by landlord) but I'm trying to make my balcony as bird and bug friendly as possible at least. :)
I started feeding Ravens when I moved on this ranch 12 years ago. Two years ago a pair nested very close. A Baby ended up on the ground. The parents didn't want to continue taking care of her. So I did. She chose to stay around, uncaged, unclipped and untethered. Started a channel if anyone is interested. Blessing of my lifetime!
Fantastic. Very smart birds those ravens. It will recognize you for life.
I’m interested. How can I find your channel?
@@oldtimehockey7324 it's on this TH-cam channel, that I commented with. Thanks
@@jamesclark9347 thank you.
Outside Philly our bird population is declining. All I have now is 2 cardinals 3 doves and sparrows. And I have plenty of feeders . Sad.
I’m of the opinion that Anyone who can earn trust and hand feed wild birds deserves a 👍🏻
You can do it too. Check out my bird whisperer video for the step by step process.
Ive always dreamt of befriending the birds!
@@StefanSobkowiak
It’s an AI CG bird. 🤣🤣🤣
@@bonjovirocks24 ? ehh no its a bird.
@reyalPRON - Did you hear that WHOOOSH??? It’s a joke going right over your head.
I go through about 400 lbs of sunflower seeds, 200 lbs of corn and about five cases of suet a year. Turkeys and deer eat the corn, birds of all kinds eat the rest. I would rather watch my bird feeder than TV. Awesome video, thanx 😄
Good stuff! And it’s better for your health, especially if you sit outside to watch the birds.
I agree. good wholesome entertainment 👏👏
Only problem I had doing this rats turned up.
I go through 50lbs of sunflower seeds a month! Love the birds!
That is awesome!
@@StefanSobkowiak. Me, too, in Kelowna, BC! Surrounded by orchards and market gardens. Love the birds!!
Slovenia same here❤
Bravo for using natural methods of pest control
The way Mother Nature intended
Thank you!!!!
No such thing as 'mother nature' - there is a Creator though.....
@SJ.77 Sure buddy, and I’m sure your ‘creator’ thinks real highly of you for going into TH-cam comments and being judgemental.
@@SJ.77 No such thing as 'creator' - there is nature though. :)
@@InsoIence So you're a Kabbalist?
@@SJ.77 Do I have to be one?
Yes, I feed the birds in winter in Tokyo! When most of the neighboring persimmons ripen and drop from the trees, I start preparing food for birds. My indoor cat loves watching the birds.
From my experiences in treestands, chickadees, nuthatches, wrens, vireos and woodpeckers
migrate thru the woods together, on a daily schedule.
On cold, bitter days they maybe all you hear and see. And they are so friendly and trusting.
Absolutely. Chickadees never have a call that says 'Yuck the weather is terrible'. They always seem to sing 'I'm so happy'.
@@StefanSobkowiak singing birds have a biological mechanism that creates dopamine when they sing and a higher level of dopamine makes them sing. It's like you give yourself huggs all the time and then hugg yourself some more.
@@HyperburnSeroo nice, Matt, I’ll remember that!
We have them on our feeders together!
Here in Alabama, I have loads of cardinals, bluejays and redwinged blackbirds all hanging out together at the feeders and "being friendly". Makes me wonder why people can't get along and share their food stash in the same way. They are all so beautiful and fun to watch.
I've been feeding birds for years, decades. Years ago I had a spider problem. They were spiders all over my house all over everything. Now that I have birds here year-round there are no spiders on my house anywhere and very few that I find anywhere in the yard. Besides I just love birds. They're such beautiful creatures.
Wait a minute, don't spiders eat small flying insects like flies and mosquitoes? If birds remove spiders, then who remove flies?
Wasps & other critters still eat flies. You just don't have as many spiders hanging around.
Just as hawks show up to eat the birds & squirrels to thin their herds a bit as well.
It's a system.@@typingcat
Eeeeww what a horror movie tale you weave! I’m glad the birds saved you! 😅
there part life i feed them to
Having blue jays around has taken care of every attempted wasp nest on my house the last few years
This was great. I've been feeding birds on my rural land for my entire life and didn't know these facts. Thank you!
I love the birds in winter! I watch them closely, and yes, they go over every square inch of wooded bark and help with pests! Once you partnership with birds, gardening goes to the next level.
You get it, 👏
When I hear those two calls, I think “here cutie” and “ chicka-de-de-de” . They are adorable!
Life affirming. I've seen a picture with 4 bees and a humingbird next to each other drinking from a water basin. Wonderful
Wow. This vid makes me so happy. I enjoyed learning about the chickadee dee dees, one of my top fave bird allies. I often wondered how they ate all the grain I tossed around so quickly. I hope teachers will find this and show it in the schools and on line programs.
Glad you enjoyed it! Teachers showing it to kids would be awesome.
Love feeding my bird and squirrel friends year round. It’s one of the little things that keep me going.
Love your Channel, Stefan. Not only are you supremely knowledgable, your spirit and passion for what you do is unmatched. Watching you so inspired and full of life helps me slow down, relax, and be present. Thank you
Glad to help.
I’ve been feeding wild birds in Alaska for 30 years ❤❤❤
I live in Labrador Canada, a very very cold climate in winter. Over a week ago I went for a walk along the lake and saw the abundance of food in and on the trees. The little winter birds were jumping from branch to branch eating. And if they were to run out in that area, they will fly to other trees, shrubs and areas. Alot more food out there in nature then you realize. If there is here in -50c weather am sure there is pretty much everywhere there is trees. I see you have plenty of trees in the background. God bless They are cute though I have to agree!😊
There needs to be an abundance of vegetation that provides the seeds, nuts and berries birds need in the winter. Most of suburbia is a monoculture of grass and natural ecosystems are constantly being replaced by developments.
A friend of mine is a Master Arborist and he said it used to be when a tree died another was planted but he said the last decade people don't want another tree because they don't want the leaves in their yard! Crazy but true - that's why we need to provide for wildlife as much as we can because there are less and less resources for them.
Because of loss of Native Perrenial understory, Because of the introduction of Immitaion Japanese honeysuckle that has destroyed the trees, bushes, wild flowers, are gone. I feed the birds 🐦 everyday ♥
I'm in Colorado at 8,500 ft. It was -9°F last night. It may be the altitude more than the temperature, but I rarely see any bird in winter. Most people know it's Spring when the robins come back, I know it's spring when any bird comes back. I will put some bird seed out this week, but I have to wait until the bears are hibernating or they'll come and try to take all of it. We have a huge problem with the pine tip borer and moth. If this helps control those I'm all for it.
There probably is food in early winter, but late winter, early spring is a desert. Once the nuts and berries have gone there is a difficult patch, made worse by non native species and climate change. Plus here in England, farming methods have destroyed winter bird feeding habits.
@@chiarabay9364 You're correct - plus it all depends what kind of trees and shrubs one has, certain ones provide abundance for the birds. I am planting more of the trees and shrubs and not cutting back perennials that provide food, shelter and nesting for them plus the bird feeders like you said winter to early spring is the toughest time on them.
You would be surprised how what I do goes a long way so every little bit helps them.
I am a proud bird feeder. We have had the same cardinals in our yard for three years, they are a part of our family. Along with all the other birds. I have three feeders that I have to fill every two days!!! So rewarding to just watch them
Yes they are!
The man lives in such a harmony with the nature
I may not have the beautiful landscape that's in this video, that's because I'm in Liverpool, England, but I feed my family of hedge sparrows, blackbird & Robin daily, I think they are realising I mean them no harm & they are becoming more & more brave towards me, just to watch them feeding & flying back to their roost in the garden behind me is a joy.
Had to move into town 9 years ago so we don't see a big variety; mostly finch types now. A MOB of them ! Very few people are feeding this
year in our neighborhood so they are going threw about 25 lbs. of sunflower seed, mixed wild bird seed, cracked corn mixes and 2 cakes of suit per week.
Thank you for showing how to follow Nature's Way, grow without chemicals ❤!
I like your videos because I find them relaxing and educational at the same time. Thanks for posting them. You’ve inspired me to start to convert my orchard over to more of a permaculture situation.
Fantastic. If you make the centre of your orchard in this way it provides a safe haven for predators and beneficials and gives you the biggest bang for the buck.
❤
My heart is lifted up this morning from watching your video! The sounds and sights of the birds touch me with happiness. Your whistles are exquisite too! More whistling, please. Thank you, Stephan..
I'm so glad!
It is good to feed others, when you have the resources and supplies to do so. You will be respected and loved 👍
I love in an apartment, building, second floor. We are not permitted to hang anything from our windows or on the fire escape. However, I place a glass pie pan with bird seed each morning on the fire escape. All I get are a few pigeons and a lot of sparrows and wrens. Every once in a while, a cardinal or a blue jay will stop by. But, as soon as the seed is gone, I will bring in the pie pan. There's a tree directly across from my fire escape. If there are still birds in the tree, I will refill the pie tray. I always make sure to bring the pan in once the birds fly away. Especially in the winter and very cold weather, I feel like I am doing something to help our feathered friends.
I look for nooks, too....in my life. I love your bird language and how "quickly" they responded. I enjoyed your humor and less pest, organic practices.
That's a fabulous partnership you have there.
I live in Chicago, right in the middle of the city. Winters are brutal. Right now it's -20 wind chill. I keep a thick row of bird seed on the windowsill all winter. Drives my cats nuts, lol, but I'm determined to help them. Once the trees blossom in early spring, they don't need me anymore. Until then, I do what I can.
My neighbor has an apartment style bird house in his backyard with close to twenty chickadee's living there, I noticed the magpies would come and able to fish out and eat their eggs so one day I built a small birdhouse with just a 1 1/2" hole in it. I put it close to my neighbors but lower to the ground and sure enough they use it as a nursery every year but none live in it fulltime. The magpies try hard to get at the eggs but can't reach. Sometimes the chicks come out too early and fall to the ground without flying, I pick them up and put them back and they don't seem to mind.
More details from the ecosystem! I never stop being amazed by how interdependent everything is
That's awesome that they are feeding out of your hand. I have 1 feeder out all year. We love watching them from the window. Especially our indoor cat.
I feed birds in my balcony. Looooove seeing them come over every day😍
That's awesome!
The black capped chickadee are my favorite!
Very social birds and they stay a few feet away and sing when I bring food out.
They are common in the woods where I live, when they call it sounds like they are saying " cheeeese burger"......awesome
working with nature is always wise
I will “clickily ” get back to your channel!
I’ve found hedges will attract many bird to your garden as well
Any specific suggestions?
We have planted a native hedge some years ago, its turned into a haven for the tiny birds both summer & winter! Thank you so much for this, loved it.
@@allouttabubblegum1984 Any native which grows locally, preferably with flowers in spring (insect food which also attracts the birds) Flowers turn to berries in autumn. I have Blackthorne but Hawthorne is another good one. Your local garden cetre will help. Just three or four planted in a row is a start, then add as you feel.
Chickadees are always the first to tell me there is a hawk around. The high pitched dee dee call
Yeah and Blue Jays will let everyone on the block know a hawk is around.
I loved seeing the birds come in and out of your video. Win-win relationships are always best!
I have feeders out at strategic locations on my wooded property, I use them for the same effect but directed more at keeping ash borers out or under control, I only have 7 fruit trees, but a large garden too. I don't use pesticides. The resident feeder frequenting bird population is high, Chicadee's, Nut hatches, hairy and downy woodpeckers, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Grosbeaks, Junco's and more. I still have large healthy Ash and a healthy pest free garden.
That’s fantastic for borers.
Lots of good ash trees here, no signs of ash borer yet. Similar mix of birds in my MN woods and fields. Also have lots of good oaks. I leave the dead oaks standing because the woodpeckers love them. I cut wood for firewood, but only downed trees. There are so many boxelders and ironwood here constantly dying, rotting and falling over, lots of good forage for the critters, but a nuisance for me. I really do not like boxelder trees.... giant weeds.
@@flightographist My woods are littered with fallen over boxelders. They spread like the plague, same with the ironwood. There's no shortage of them for the critters. And yeah, they will crowd out other trees. Those things grow any direction, even horizontal to reach for life and they don't die even when fallen over and rotten, just keep throwing out more shoots. Nasty things. The only positives are that the heartwood can be beautiful and because they rot so quick, I'm using them in a giant hugel kultur experiment.
@@flightographist I have buckthorn creeping in from a wildlife management area. Kind of upset about that. It runs wild out there and spreads very fast. I have been keeping it at bay but doesnt do much good when the wildlife area isnt dealing with it. Coincidentally it is just uphill from a pond and slough I am building a shelterbelt for. I have the added issue of having restrictions on what I can and can't do relating to conservation agreements instituted in perpetuity by a previous owner.
@@flightographist will take a look but me and the state dont always see eye to eye. Rather take care of it on my own. Lot of work but making progress.
I feed for the same reasons. I call them my "bird army"; in summer they manage most of the insect pests I have. I rarely have to deal with garden pests myself. I think the abundance of permanent residents makes even more of the migratory species recognize my property as a good place to stay in summer, even if they don't use my feeders.
I feed them during the winter because they eat bugs during the spring summer and fall.we help each other.😊
I absolutely love it to birds feed
You are such kind and sweet man
Love from London
So nice of you
@@StefanSobkowiak Is that your Garden?
Where you feed the birds.
It’s our farm, mostly a Permaculture Orchard.
I leave food scraps for all the animals in my backyard. No meat, a lot of bread and salad scraps. The turtles, rabbits, squirrels and birds have a feast most days
Awe I love feeding the birds. Didn’t realize to feed them in the orchard. Great tips. I don’t use chemicals either. Just found your channel and subscribed Blessings! Wendy🥶❤️🐞🐝
Thank you for this delightful video. I loved seeing the birds up close and hearing their wing beats. The slowed down footage was magical! ❤
Glad you enjoyed it
I stayed in a lovely farmhouse in Germany this year where there were swallow nests inside the barn dormitory; bats and swallows would come in and eat all the insects. We slept with no mosquito netting every night without a single mosquito bite.
1:24 Yay! for Allies! We were an ally and had many of those in Stanley Park. We fed Ours crushed peanuts. It can be very healing and therapeutic to have positive and personal interactions with Nature. Great vid.
So sweet to see them eat right out of your hand.
been feeding the birds the last three years, last year we got a visit from a single Bohemian waxwing. This year he brought his pack, over 40 birds :)
THANK YOU for sharing this WISDOM! We did not know this about smaller birds (that they eat until full then cache seeds all over the place in trees, which in turn attracts other birds like woodpeckers, and they collectively keep the trees healthier). We're all about symbiotic relationships on our property, and it's AMAZING how well it all works. After you mentioned this, we suddenly NOTICED that the small birds indeed DO this, and now we SEE them doing it all the time! And sure enough, THAT'S why we have several woodpeckers of different varieties visiting our property so often. We literally just watched a chickadee deposit seeds on a tree and then moments later, a woodpecker showed up and ate the seeds, then moved on to another tree to hammer away and dig out some bugs from the bark. SO COOL! We NEVER noticed that until your video. So THANK you for making us SEE!
Seeing is believing
A new perspective on feeding the birds AND a sense of humour too! Thanks. - Worcestershire England UK
What wonderful info you have shared.The blessings of Mother Nature. Beautiful!
I always leave some pots with soil on my deck in the winter and leave lots of seeds in them. Then I enjoy watching the birds, and so do my cats lol
Your channel is hands down the best one on TH-cam! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and joy! 😊✨
Last year I have started bird feeding on my balcony. It was an incredible experience, how birds start observing and interacting with humans. When a new person (to them) was on the balcony, often they came to "inspect" them. Unfortunately, during my summer vacation, nobody has fed them. And they didn't come back, when I started again. I think, there was plenty of food elsewhere. Even now - we haven't had frost so far - they aren't interested.
But, in February beside food I will provide animal hair for their nests (human hair is dangerous for them!), I am sure I get back their appreciation that way.
Not sure if human hair is a problem...wouldn't think so... but the humming birds here make nests from hair.. I have a HAIRY dog...and the few nest I find in my yard match my dog...
Cheers N.Ont Canada. ..
Your chickadee call is amazing 😊
Thanks for your informative and entertaining video. I've taken up feeding birds since I retired. I enjoy them and also like the idea of controlling the unwanted insects. Watching this confirmed ideas which I have been working with and opened up more areas for thought. Thanks again.
Wonderful!
That bird came to your hand! I yelled are you kidding me!! That's my dream, one day!! Thanks for the great video
Glad you enjoyed it! I did a video giving the steps to get a bird to eat out of your hand. Bird whisperer…
Here in west Texas, i feed our house Sparrow's. Very enjoyable to watch.
I use my bacon grease to make seed biscuits out of shelled seeds (no waste type).
They cannot get enough.
I feed chickadees not hatches three different types of woodpeckers blue Jays have to tip mice Cardinals juncos and whatever else ends up showing up. I've only been on my property for six months and it will be my second permaculture property. I'm happy to say the birds were well established when I got here though there is not a single fruit or not bearing tree on my property
Not yet but you will add them I hope.
Another way to do this is to grow flowers that have seeds near the trees! Preferably native flowers the birds like.
to me it's the only way. i leave wild flowers all about my yard areas when i mow, especially in late summer. my field areas supply the rest. my property remains full of birds feeding even during the coldest of times.
Oh, I love to see birds and squirrels too🥰🥰💕🌅🦋
your tips helped I got them eating out of my hand today for the first time 💕
Woot woot. Congrats enjoy each time and it gets easier from now on.
@@StefanSobkowiak Is it something you have to keep at to maintain the trust/bond? Its getting colder in sask. I probably won't be able to do it as much as I'd like to.
Because birds are wonderful creatures!
Maine here, don't forget the bird bath !!!!
This guy is so in tune with nature that the birds eat out of his hand! Mind blown!
i love this guy and how he runs his orchard
I have been feeding the birds around my house for the past 2 months. I buy whatever walmart has for bird food and the birds seem to like it. I just pour the food on the concrete sidewalks. Its amazing to see them eat and then they take off at the same time. The wings of a dozen birds taking off at the same time makes one heck of a sound.
Thanks for sharing
I'm so jealous that the bird eats from your hand. I learn things from you that I don't hear anywhere else. 😍
So nice of you
I agree about watching the birds take care of trees…❤️🥰
I now have 5 feeders and about to put up my 6th. Hundreds of birds. When there is a cat on the property the birds will fly by my door and chirp and let me know. So I go outside and there's a cat and I walk it off the property then walked back under the bird tree and they start going off thanking me. I love the birds. In the Summer I'll go out at 5 am to fill the feeders. It's dead quiet and dark. As I fill the feeders I'll start whistling then the dark morning is full of bird songs. Birds are very smart and they are always watching.
Great program! You're doing a wonderful thing. Your understanding of your bird friends and their prey is terrific. Those are some lucky birds.
In '69 in Cav training, the sargent said it's
cashe'. cash ay.
A French word.
Thanks for the insight on the birds in winter.
The chickadees are adorable eating out of his hand!
I feed birds and squirrels from November till the end of May . I go through about 250 pounds of roasted peanuts unsalted and 250 pounds of Kaytee waste free bird feed . That helps them to get through the winter , especially if it’s real cold or snowy .
Yet another good reason to feed the birds. My feeders get lots and lots of chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers. Having observed them a lot, I have suspected they help me out, but now you have given me a new strategy for pest control. I guess I will be moving feeders around(except the one my cats like to watch). Great tip on the cardboard wrap. Love it the birds eat from your hand. I'm going to have to work on that one. All I can do is get my chipmunks eating from hand. I do love those chickadees. Thanks for this video. The birds really do bring a lot of joy too.
Yes they do. Will teach you to get them in your hand in an upcoming video.
These are awesome ideas to set up the whole predator feeding concept in your orchard!
I just have a story to relay from going out to feed birds this morning on a stump. Because it was unusually cold for our area, I thought I’d go back again after a few hours. I found a bird stuck head down in a crack in the stump … helped him escape of course but now listening to your video made me realize that possibly what he was trying to do was stash a seed down in the crack and he got stuck!!!
I stuffed a bunch of leaves in the crack, so it wouldn’t happen again . But interesting information one discovers from listening to videos like yours! Thank you 🐦🪳🙏
Thanks for learning. Normally that birds would be found by a predator with delight.
What a smart man! Working with nature.❤️
Hello and thanks for advice. Last year I did couple of boxes for tits and now I'm feeding them. It's a best friend in the winter months because there seems to be nothing else around at this time. Hopefully they'll stay forever ☺️
I love the birds not afraid of you. Awesome ❤
i always fed birds in the winter for 40 years til maybe 10 years ago and had mobility problems and hung the feeder from the eavestrough, i noticed they were not flying into the window and knocking themselves out any more , i saved so many but then along came a bear wrecked my eavestrough, another pleasure lost in old age!
Symbiosis goals!
We grow sunflowers in our cover crop blends. Any chance you could supplement early feeding by planting sunflowers in the tree row?
Thanks for sharing your journey!
Not in our tree row since SUNflowers need full sun. We have grown them in the veggie area and it does supplement. Although it brings in FLOCKS of birds that do not stay the winter, just eat it all and move on.
Thanks that was an awesome watch.. I had a great laugh too! Keep up the good work!
Thanks, will do!
So simple yet so genius.
Thanks for sharing. This will stick with me and I'll pass it along to others too.
Growing up in Quebec I would put up nesting boxes and they would always get occupied by black cap chickadees. Our weeping birch was usually attacked by leaf minors except those summers when the chickadees were nesting in our yard.
I am urban abd have a garden. I always feed thw birds! Thanks for this detail, I had no clue.
Glad I could help!
Cudny widok. Uwielbiam sikorki. W ogrodzie mam kilka karmników, więc często je u siebie goszczę. Pozdrowienia z Pointe-Claire.
I really enjoyed watching this video . Amazing how they take the seed out if yrvhand. I love watching chickdees at my feeder and other birds.
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you for sharing. You are doing good work and being a good steward of your land.
I appreciate that
I feed birds squirrels chipmunks rabbits occasional raccoon all year round. Retired it gets me outdoors walking and nature is breathtakingly beautiful all seasons.
Enjoy your content.
That is awesome!
Oh, I love to feed them birds and squirrels🥰🥰💕🦋
Great video! I live in North Central Arizona. We usually have a number of snows from Dec. into May. Though usually each snow lasts a day to several days. At times, a week to several weeks. Two inches to 30 inches at night. I feed birds throughout the Winter. We even have a Hummingbird that you will see when there's nearly a foot of snow on the ground. Anna's Hummingbird can stay through the Winter. It's best once nights get cold to remove Hummingbird feeders so they will migrate South. But after a Month or so, I replace the feeders for any Hummers staying through the Winter. I even feed the Ravens on my roof and sometimes Hawks, since they nest in my tall trees.
Wow, hummers over winter.
@@StefanSobkowiak Seems cool I guess. The bird nerd has a video about the Anna's hummers wintering all the way into Canada I think. Now that surprised me. Thing is, I've read half of all hummers die each year. So I would rather see them fly to Mexico in the Winter. It must be very hard on them to find food and stay warm at night.
Thank you! Wonderful how the chickadees come to your hand!
Our pleasure!
Hi Les, I just found your channel. I don't have fruit trees, but have hung a bird feeder on my only tree at the corner of my back porch. I LOVE watching them. They give the phrase "you eat like a bird" a Whole New meaning!! I feel like I'm constantly filling it. Do you have any words of wisdom relating to feeding birds in winter in the northeast Florida region? Sure appreciateya!
Welcome, thanks for joining. Lot's to see. For feeding it comes down to why do you feed them. I like to see them so I feed them. Even for your area sunflower should give the best results with no waste. You can also use fruit during migration to get orioles. Enjoy them.
@@StefanSobkowiak Thank you! Yes, I like to see them too. I lost my dog last year, so replaced bird seed for dog food 😉 The bird seed I bout does have sunflower seeds in it. I'll have to try the fruit!
During spring my birds are going through 80lbs a week. I love it.
Whhhaaaat, 80 pounds!!!
@@StefanSobkowiak it's an absolute zoo! Been feeding them since lockdown as that became my new hobby at that time.
A good daddy and his awesome children
Heroe man, the birds needs you
Ooo, that's a really fun fact. I can't personally do feeding (prohibited by landlord) but I'm trying to make my balcony as bird and bug friendly as possible at least. :)