We have several adorable and functional bird feeders here at BrightHaven. Unfortunately, our neighbors have several lean and highly functional kitties. Don’t get me wrong, I admire an animal that can feed itself (kind of the point of this post), I just don’t want to be setting out a birdie buffet. That said, I only rarely fill the feeders. Rather, I try to let any spilled bird seed grow into its intended plant. What do you figure comes from those seeds? Well, it’s not something crazy. It looks just like a little corn sprout and doesn’t get too tall. It reseeds itself and comes back every year. How can it get any better?
It gets better when you realize the birds are actually eating it! I took these photos from our library window and then stitched them together. Click on the image to actually see the little cardinal enjoying its foraging!
5 responses so far ↓
Cindy // August 15, 2008 at 5:24 pm |
I am planning on leaving some sunflower heads and spent purple coneflowers in the garden just for this reason!
ourfriendben // August 16, 2008 at 8:19 am |
Wow—I wonder if that’s millet seed your birds are enjoying! My spilled sunflower seed sprouts, but the millet hasn’t ever made it to adulthood, even though I leave it in place. Lucky birds!!!
Carla // August 25, 2008 at 9:56 am |
This is wonderful! I guess I never figured they would eat it on the plant! DUH!
Lisa // May 12, 2009 at 12:02 pm |
I feed the birds outside my house here in northern california regularly. I have a small back yard with bark coveringa all of it. I have noticed weeds coming up where I am feeding the birds…and despaired thinking about weeding through the bark….since pesticides are totally out of the question due to the birds. I think now, I will rake away the bark and leave a square under the feeding area that I will just let grow. It seems a lot more zen than fighting it. Maybe if I have to move someday…there will still be some plants here that can feed the birds when I’m gone.
Becca // September 5, 2009 at 1:39 pm |
Good thinking Lisa! How did that work out for you?