Installed heater in bird bath to keep from freezing so our feathered friends can have drinking water. You can see electric cord going to heater in water. T-stat controlled. The Bluebirds frequent it every day along with the Gold finches which are just starting to change their plumage to vibrant yellow. We got our first Robin sighting, Jan 30.. Can Spring be too far away?
When we came to Florida (2013), I set up the new Bluebird house on the corner post of our "lanai"(that's Floradese for back porch) just outside of our breakfast nook window. The neighbor two doors down had an old house on a 4 x 4 post on the their back property line, but I didn't allow myself to worry about any potential territorial disputes, what with Florida being such a very peaceful sort of a place, and all. Well, what a shit-fest that turned into. Within a day or so of setting the house out, Momma and Papa Bluebird starting showing some serious interest, but just couldn't get settled down. Before long, Missus Titmouse started sniffing around. Momma B got pissed, but didn't do anything about it. Then the Carolina Chickadees showed up. All of this taking place in February and March. Well, before you know it, a gawd-dammed Papa Flicker (one of the prettiest ones I've ever seen) decides the hole ain't big enough, and begins some fairly advanced Home Remodeling. It took me two days to run his ass off, and he'd still be there if I hadn't got the garden hose after him. Well, long story short, The Titmice took official occupancy in April The First. Their choice of date was a portent of things to come. More later.
So, anyhow, the Mama and Papa Titmouse started building a nice little nest out of miscellaneous scraps, small leaves, moss, dry grass...they did a nice job. Shortly, Mama had dropped a 5 egg clutch. Mom and Pop futzed around for a couple of days, flew away and never came back. After a while, I cleaned out the mess, and for the next 7 or 8 warm months sat at the breakfast table waiting for some respectable, family oriented blue birds. Zip, nuttin'. I gave the little Titmouse eggs to a buddy of mine who sets out Martin gourdes every spring and decided to just be patient. Long about the 15th of February (next) up flies Momma and Papa Bluebird (might have been the same pair, but I wasn't certain). Same-same. They messed around for a couple of weeks and here come the Parents of the Year, the Titmice. Again, same story, quick nest and a 4 egg clutch. Well, they stayed, and in no time at all, the nestlings fledged. It was a day or so after I cleaned out the shit-hole that the Bluebird pair returned, and they have been regularly updating their claim since that day. More later.
I love bird watching, Never had the time for it though. Could i see the other end of the code ? How exactly did you regulate the temp.
I ordered the bird bath heater thru Amazon. It comes pre set to turn ON at 32 deg. Here's proof that it works! Note ice around bath. Temps got to single digits with this artic blast that came into Ohio. Have to refill water at least twice a day cause the birds drink so much since most of their other water is frozen.
These Bluebirds were mesmerized by the camera flash 18'' from them. Had to use flash to offset the brightness of the snow.
As spring approaches we get a large supply of grape jelly ready for the orioles.....we never even see an oriole until we start the jelly feeding process. We've had as many as 20 at one time eating on the back deck. One jar each week! Beautiful birds!
