help birds through the drought: 5 tips

How can we help our feathered friends make it through this
two year drought? Earlier today I spoke with veteran birder
Andy Balinsky of the Travis Audubon Society, and asked
for a few suggestions. - Darrel Mayers

1. Water Set up a birdbath in your garden. It should have
a gentle slope so that smaller birds can use it, and it should be
shallow. Keep the bath topped up with water everyday, and
clean once a week. Keep the area nearby clear, so that pred-
atory cats have nowhere to hide.
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2. Feeding Very important. This drought extends back to last
winter, and the natural seed crop is poor. Try buying seeds
in bulk so you don’t run out, and you’ll save some money too.
(Andy buys 50lb bags of black oil sunflower seeds that last
for 6 months.)
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3. Hummingbirds Mix 4 parts water to 1 part sugar and
place in a feeder, and enjoy the magic of the visiting hummers.
Their favorite color is red. Make sure you’re your feeder is red,
and if you feel like it, tie a red ribbon near it… but avoid putting
red nectar in the feeder. Scientists believe this dye may be
harmful to the birds.

4. Brush piles While out in the yard, create little brush piles
here and there out of twigs and branches. This will protect the
birds so they can feed on the ground, and if a cat appears or a
hawk swoops down, they have something to retreat into.
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5 Native landscapes Our native birds grew up eating native
berries, and they’re the very best form of nourishment. So
when you are at a nursery pondering which plant to buy, keep
this in mind. Sunflowers, salvias, yaupon holly, possum haw
holly, agarita, coral berry, American beauty berry, Turks caps
are just a few of the choices that come to mind.
Find more details at www.travisaudubon.org

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Andy Balinsky is an avid birdwatcher. Each year native
screech owls nest in a birdhouse in his back yard in east Austin.
He observes them with a web cam that he has set up within the
owl house. Visit his amazing website for an intimate look at the
life of screech owls in central Texas:
www.screechcam.com
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Visit the website at www.itsaboutthyme.com Visit the
nursery at 11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748 Tel. 512 280 1192
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