Tie One On - It's that time of Year!

No, not what you think. ;)

This time of year, spring is in the air, trees are budding, daffodils and tulips are popping their heads through the leaves, the sky is blue, and the birds are singing.

They are doing more than that though, this is nest building season, time for eggs to be laid, chicks to be hatched and fed constantly, all in all a very stressful time for the birds, especially those in cold climates that have suffered and survived this past harsh winter. I get exhausted just thinking about all they do and go through sometimes!

Anyway, how about giving them a (FREE) helping hand? got an old sweater? moth eaten perhaps? Don't toss it, unravel it. Cut small pieces, about 6-10" and some smaller ones too for the tiny birds, like hummingbirds which should be arriving soon. Now go and Tie them on, to your trees of course and bushes. . Basically just wrap them around the branches so they are easy for the birds to 'harvest'. They will welcome this material to make a nice cozy warm nest for their little ones and if you use a bright colored yarn you may even be able to spot them!

Want to help the birds even more? After your morning eggs, or better yet, when you shell your hard cooked eggs, save the shells (better than raw egg shells because they could contain Salmonella*). Dry them off on some paper toweling and when dry, you can put them in an old bread bag and beat them up! Then place them in spots around your yard where the birds can find them. The females will be ever so grateful as they get drained of calcium during egg laying time.

Put them near the feeders, on a rock or on the corner of your patio. You may be surprised at the variety of new birds you attract with this simple and free treat!

* If you use shells from raw eggs, first sterilize them by washing and placing on a cookie sheet in in an oven at 250 degrees until they are dry looking but not browned. Then let them cool and crush, they should break up easily. If you have lots to do at once, you can put them in a food processor with a metal cutting blade to pulverize them, but be careful not to let it go too long or else you will end up with a powder, this if you do , you can put around the top of the ground where you plant your tomatoes, they will love it!

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