It's that time of year in Hoover, Alabama where baby birds are leaving the nest. There is a lot of squawking and parents are stressed. I could be talking about Back To School, but that is a topic for another day.
I looked out the window and saw a baby bird that was on the ground and could not fly. Suddenly, one of the neighborhood kids who had been playing nearby appeared and lifted the baby bird to a tree limb while his brothers looked on. I was so surprised and happy that these boys, who are normally very rough, were being so careful with the baby bird.
Video games are SO POPULAR these days. If you talk to the parents of any boy and most girls, you will hear the woes of how hard it is to pry your children away from the TV set and the video controller. Today's youth spend less time outside than any previous generation, depriving themselves of the emotional and physical benefits, and the opportunity to learn about the world around them. These boys, who are ALWAYS outside obviously knew what to do in this situation to protect the baby bird.
Do you know children who you feel need to get more in tune with the outdoors? Here is a small activity you can do with a child to help introduce them to Mother Nature. It focuses on what foods your backyard birds like best, by hosting a special buffet feast. Get several bowls similar in shape (or if you have plastic jugs cut the bottoms off to make a flat bowl). Get different kinds of seeds, unsalted nuts, dried fruits like cranberries or raisins, soft fruit like orange, banana or strawberries, water soaked oats, breadcrumbs and any other foods you'd like to try.
Locate a place in your yard that is close to bushes or overhanging trees that you can see from inside where YOU can stay cool on these hot July days or a place far enough away that you won't bother the birds. Set the bowls in a row and place a different food in each one. Watch your buffet line from your safe place and see what the birds like to eat. It is fun to watch how different birds like different foods and some are picky and some are not - just like kids.
Making your yard a bird friendly place by planting more trees, shrubs and flowers will help you build lots of memories for years to come. Bird friendly yards also help you sell your home when it is time. If you would like any information about selling your home in Hoover Alabama, feel free to contact me at www.ToniBird.com.
