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Holidays:  Bird Christmas Tree  |
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TNfarmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Joni
Sparta
TN
USA
30 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 02 2006 : 05:09:33 AM
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I bought a brand new christmas tree that had the lights on it. Well,being the farm girl that I am and having a couple--ha, 7 dogs the new Great paranies pups--somebody tell me how to spell that dog breed name please--chewed the cord that lit up the tree. I was hurt. I had it all planned to be on the back poarch and POOF in a moment the little scrandrals spoiled my plan. Well a better plan is in store for the christmas tree. I have a lot of birds in my yard. I live on the edge of a mountain and a forest. The grand idea hit me last night as I saw the empty bird feeder and the little birds scurring for food.
I am going to decorate the tree for the birds. I will place bits of bread on the limbs. I will make pinecones covered in p-nut butter and seeds. I will have my very first birdy Christmas tree.
What a wonderful present for my little friends.
You can use an old tree for the same purpose. Last month I bought a HUGE christmas tree for $20 at a yard sale and that one graces the entrance of the barn. It is on the loft and looks wonderful with its ornaments and it "hay" icecicles. If you would like a picture e-mail me at jonijones@blomand.net.
Painted Springs Farm
"Bought the Farm"
Living the good life in TN.
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2006 : 06:33:46 AM
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Great idea, Joni. That is exactly what we do with our old "real" trees after Christmas.
Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance! |
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ThymeForEweFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
705 Posts
Robin
An organic farm in the forest in
Maine
USA
705 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2006 : 11:58:30 AM
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I used to put our tree in the feeding station after Christmas. Then I realized it was a great place for cats to hide. They could ambush the birds. Now we feed it to the goats instead.
Robin
www.thymeforewe.com
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Woodswoman
True Blue Farmgirl
512 Posts
Jennifer
Altamont
NY
USA
512 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2006 : 3:56:58 PM
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Joni-
One of my favorite traditions is after Christmas when we put our tree out by the back porch and decorate it for the birds! Some of the things we've used are:
-pine cones smeared with peanut butter and rolled in seed.
-stale cheerios strung up and wrapped around it.
-stale bread with the peanut butter and seed treatment (I poked holes in it and hung it up).
-oranges cut in half.
-a recipe that I have to look for again, but it involved egg whites whipped with seed and then baked. I'll have to find that one.
We get tons of birds at the tree-the juncos and sparrows particualry seem to like it. We never have had a problem with cats-I think the dog scares them away!
Have fun!
Jennifer |
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peapodjane
True Blue Farmgirl
127 Posts
127 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2006 : 03:37:57 AM
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Hi,
I also enjoy feeding the birds. One thing I have read about with using peanut butter is that it should be mixed with something , hmmm I think it was vegetable oil, so that it is not as sticky. Apparently, some birds can have problems with their beaks stuck shut. I have found wonderful bird-feeding ideas on the internet. Enjoying the forums.
Thank You.  |
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TNfarmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Joni
Sparta
TN
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2006 : 03:49:42 AM
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This bird feeding has turned into a great source of info for me. This is my first winter in TN and in the really cold. FL was not cold. I love the cold weather.
My yard is full of birds I thing I have about 7 feeders and now the tree. Do any of you have any suggestions for the feeding of the birds in the winter that I may not be aware of. My bird bath which is huge froze day before yesterday and thawed by evening. I keep a fountain on the front poarch. I know the birds will need water. I may have to get a little heater for the bird bath.
It is so fun talking with you gals.
joni
Painted Springs Farm
"Bought the Farm"
Living the good life in TN.
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2006 : 8:50:18 PM
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This sounds like such a fun idea!!! I'm definitely going to do this with my little guys this year. William loves feeding the "birdies" and I think he'll really get into a bird tree. You all have the greatest ideas!!!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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TNfarmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Joni
Sparta
TN
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2006 : 01:22:10 AM
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I have begun to save stale bread and crackers. I put some in the freezer yesterday. I also put some bread on the top of the tree. It was funny because the dogs were picking up the pieces that fell through the limbs. Hey they gotta eat too. (they are no way near starving) I am going to get pinecones to polish with p-nut butter. I t hink I will use the shelled nuts for them.
gotta run Riley is barking his head off...Security systme is sounding off
Painted Springs Farm
"Bought the Farm"
Living the good life in TN.
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ArmyWifey
True Blue Farmgirl
712 Posts
Holly
Abilene
KS
712 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2006 : 11:42:16 AM
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We did this one year.......but we decorated a living mesquite in our yard. PB balls, cheerios, popcorn, oranges stuck onto thorns/twigs, bird seed scattered underneat. No problem with cats as it's not an evergreen and they can't hide effectively but still pretty.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
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Tabigirl
Farmgirl in Training
29 Posts
Tabitha
Kent
WA
USA
29 Posts |
Posted - Nov 14 2006 : 2:39:59 PM
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I love it! We are going to be visiting relatives over Christmas through the new year. I was thinking about what to do for an indoor tree. My plan is to now get the kids involved in this fun project and give the birds some yummy food for the holidays!
Thanks for sharing :>)
Tabitha |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2006 : 11:30:22 AM
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This thread is so great...I don't have time to read all of the suggestions so I printed it out to take home with me tonight.
On a somewhat related note-does Thistle seed spoil?
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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TNfarmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Joni
Sparta
TN
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2006 : 1:11:33 PM
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The birds are already eathing at the snacks on the tree. Had a little piece of banana left from cereal. Maybe they will like that. Thid house has been vacant for over a year and the birds are finding their way here. I have seen the most beautiful Blue Birds I ever saw in real life. I had seen them in books but they were dancing on the wire on the horse fence and it was a very beautiful thing to see. There was a blue jay and a big cardinal here this morning too. I have gourds in the tree limbs. There seems to be a chick-a-dee nesting in there. Maybe he just went in there for a rest. I have my eye on the gords.
Can anyone direct me as to where to get information on the different sizes of the holes for nest boxes for the different birds. My boyfriend wants to make some and make the right size.
My barn is full of bird activity as well.
I have to tell you girls my move to TN has been a real blessing.
Painted Springs Farm
"Bought the Farm"
Living the good life in TN.
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2006 : 04:07:13 AM
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How do you attach the pinecone to the tree? That is probably a dumb question, but I'd like to do the peanut butter on pinecones and hang them... Do you wrap a wire through the cone first, then smear on the pb?
Jonni, as a sidenote... Blue Birds are for me something very special. The houses my FIL made for them are along our field, and when I walk I sometimes see them... I pray as I walk, and the bluebird is like a hug from the Lord. Wondrous.
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
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Woodswoman
True Blue Farmgirl
512 Posts
Jennifer
Altamont
NY
USA
512 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2006 : 4:17:30 PM
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Hello!
When I put the pinecones on I just use whatever cotton type string is hanging around. It's not the strongest stuff, but when the peanut butter is all gone I take them down to put stuff back on them.
A good place to look for info. on bluebird boxes is the North American Bluebird Society. There website is www.nabluebirdsociety.org if you click on the bluebird facts link, it has plans for boxes. I have bluebird boxes up, and we get bluebirds in some, and chickadees in others.
Jennifer |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2006 : 6:03:26 PM
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Thank you, Jennifer! I will do it :)
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
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TNfarmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Joni
Sparta
TN
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2006 : 08:36:38 AM
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Thanks Jennifer for the web site. I will check it out. I have my back poarch full of feeders and bought a few houses so Dennis will have a pattern. The little birds are eating away at the things on the tree and in the feeders. I got cherios and am going to thread it for the tree using garden string. I am anxiout to prepare the p-nut butter snacks. You guys are the greatest.
Joni
Painted Springs Farm
"Bought the Farm"
Living the good life in TN.
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Holidays: Bird Christmas Tree |
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Bird Christmas Tree
