Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Happy National Feed the Birds Day!
If you plant flowers, herbs and shrubs, and add a water source, they will come!
I became a backyard birder accidently some years ago at my home in Seattle, when I planted a garden.
The birds were attracted, so I hung feeders.
I don’t have a lavish garden at my home in Renton; most of my yard is shaded. But honestly, it’s a bird bonanza!
I still feed the hummingbirds and they come year-round, multiple times a day.
Varied native plants supply seed for other birds and the trees provide all the bugs a bird could ask for. During cold winter spells I put up additional feeders with seed or suet.
All the birds appreciate the water. I have two birdbaths and a stream my husband built.
Most of the birds that visit my yard are small, 4- 7 inches or so. But occasionally larger birds drop by, my favorites are the woodpeckers!
I was surprised to see a Northern Flicker checking out the lodging in the snag this morning.
The snag has been quite a hit with all the birds, including the chickadees,
and this surprise visitor!
Did you know that February 3rd is National Feed the Birds Day? Well now you do!
Sharing with Sunday Stills, #Feed-the-Birds
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
What a marvelous garden, for the birds and you! Inspiring!
Thank you so much! I’m happy so many birds call my garden home!
Good to know! It should be easy to remember as it is my youngest son’s birth day. 🙂
Happy birthday to your son! 🙂
Thanks, 34 years old, yikes! 😀
Still young!
Such a beautiful garden. No wonder it attracts such a wonderful array of birds
Thank you! My Seattle garden was more flowery, but the birds love my current garden sheltered by the woods. 😊
Your garden is a real paradise. Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos. Best wishes, Michael
Thanks so much, Michael! At least the birds think so. 😊
For sure, Susanne! They will enjoy it as long they can observe the state of the domestic cats. 😉 Best wishes, Michael
Great bird pictures! You have a wider variety of birds than we do. I miss all the pretty songbirds we used to have back East, but at least we have the Quail, and of course sparrows and finches.
Thank you.We really do get a wide variety of birds in our yard, and I didn’t include them all. But we dont get Quail and they are particularly charming. 😊
Yes, they are such fun to watch, especially the little ones.
I’m so darn jealous of your backyard oasis, Susanne! All those birds! So wonderful and amazing pics of so many species 😍 and the owl, how fun…definitely on my bird bucket list!
Thank you, Terri. 🙂 My yard in Seattle had more sunshine and flowers, but my yard in Renton, though shady has so many more birds! I love them all! 🙂
Wow spectacular I have an orchard in my modest garden I get chaffinches and blue tits mainly you get alot in your beautiful garden
Thank you so much! I’m lucky to be surrounded by trees and shrubs that attract the birds! 😊
You have a great garden Susanne. I can see why the birds love it too. Love the Pileated Woodpecker too. You always know when they’re around, banging their beaks against the trees!
Thanks, Graham. I think I got lucky being so close to the woods. It’s always a treat when a woodpecker drops by! ☺️
Yes you are
Oooo! Great selection of feathered friends!!
Thank you! 😊
Very peaceful sanctuary! Images are stunning.
Thank you so much!
My pleasure, Sussanne
Those birds love your garden and you get such a variety of species. We don’t get as many as you, but I have counted about seven different types as regular visitors this winter, plus two squirrels who drop by every day.
Best wishes, Pete.
I think we get so many different birds because we’re close to the woods. It’s wonderful to have any birds drop by, squirrels too! 😀
Such a beautiful garden, a true haven for birds. The trees, diverse shrubs, and water source provide perfect conditions for them to live and thrive. The photographs are stunning, and the final one is especially dear to me. I love owls.🦉
Thank you so much for your comment. I hear the owls hooting at night but that was the first time I saw one in my yard. It was such a treat!
What great spaces you have had. I always hear owls by our house but have yet to see one. Loved your photos.
Thank you so much. ☺️ I’m happy to have so many birds visit my yard. It was a special treat to see the owl.
Beautiful garden and birds!
Thank you! 🙂