Creating a Bird Garden
But - this class was all about creating bird-feeders and I came up with a few originals and I experimented with several I found on the Internet. I've never actually attracted Orioles to my property (until this year!), but I came up with a DIY Oriole feeder that utilizes a chick feeder as the base. This spring I caught a glimpse of the Baltimore Orioles passing through my Southwest Missouri property and I had an opportunity to give the feeder a test. I filled the feeder base with a mixture of local organic grape jelly and water (makes a thick syrup) and the Orioles sipped on the sweet juice for a week before they migrated to their summer location...
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I have to admit these feeders look a little like a spaceship... |
My DIY feeder basically consists of a chick feeder (found at any farm supply store - $3.00) and a small jelly jar. To make a hanging version I drilled a hole in the jar using a 1/4" diamond drill bit and used a long 1/4" eye bolt. If you want to add a plate, just drill another hole in the plate using the same drill bit then add nuts and rubber washers to hold everything in place (a little bit of thread lock helps to make it secure).
Click on this link for the steps in learning the skill of drilling holes in glass jars and plates:
DIY Wine Bottle Bird-Feeders.
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Male Baltimore Oriole |
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Male Baltimore Oriole |
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Female Baltimore Oriole |
Baltimore Orioles seek out ripe fruit. Cut oranges in half and hang them from trees to invite orioles into your yard. Special oriole feeders filled with sugar water supplement the flower nectar that Baltimore Orioles gather. You can even put out small amounts of jelly to attract these nectar-eaters (just don't put out so much that it risks soiling their feathers). Planting bright fruits and nectar-bearing flowers, such as raspberries, crab apples, and trumpet vines, can attract Baltimore Orioles year after year.
I'd Rather B Birdn'
Wild Bird Wednesday
Nature Notes
what a beautiful series...love the bright belly on the oriole!
ReplyDeleteI love this!!! And your animation at the end is super too. I don't have a diamond drill bit, but maybe I can convince Bud to buy one. LOL [we have orioles in Spring and Fall] The woodpeckers here drink the same mixture as do the orioles and hummers, so I'm wondering if this would work for at least the woodpeckers too?!!! Great info. I'm gonna bookmark you link.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for an Oriole feeder. Love the orioles too, great shots!
ReplyDeleteAt least you took the time, it looks good to me. And that Oriole is a little beauty.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Gordon.
Beautiful birds and a very useful bird feeder.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! I tried unsuccessfully to lure some orioles last year. I'm envious! Great series of shots!
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteThese bird feeders are a good source of photography.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds!
ReplyDeleteI the right light the feeders could end up on the X Files!
ReplyDeleteNice post.
Cheers - Stewart M -and thanks for linking to WBW
We have had orioles perching on our regular bird feeders over the last couple of days, so I bought an oriole feeder. I actually just put it up this morning.(Wish me luck!) Love your homemade version.
ReplyDeleteThis is very clever and these birds are beautiful... I keep an orange half for them.... Michelle
ReplyDeletePS...Hi again Rebecca....I'm now in Hootin' Anni's Admin instead of my birding blog. I was here yesterday and did bookmark this, and I'm back to show Bud what he needs to make the feeder for me and the birds. LOL Thanks for visiting with me and leaving a comment about the Hummer Nest.
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT bird feeder!! Love it! and LOVE the Orioles!
ReplyDeleteGreat feeder, I will have to try making it!
ReplyDeleteThis is so ingenious....
ReplyDeleteGreat capture of those beauties. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds!
ReplyDelete