Anthony wrote:
> Is there any secret or technique to attracting a broader variety
> of birds? Do the grey squirrels scare some birds away?
> Thanks.
>
> Anthony Debase

Anthony:

Welcome to the challenging world of urban bird watching. If you live near
a park or are in a very treed neighborhood, you have a good shot at
attracting a greater variety.

Even in more barren neighborhoods (like mine--Ballard), you can get an
interesting assortment if you vary the bird food. Thistle seed will
bring gold finches (but only in the winter). Suet with seed in it will
attract downy woodpeckers, bushtits, and flickers. You'll probably get
some nuthatches in the winter coming to the black sunflower seeds. But,
mostly you'll get what you're already getting: sparrows, house finches,
chickadees.

Persistent watching does pay off. We keep a list on our fridge of
backyard sitings over the past three years, here it is (crows and all):

Flicker
Blackheaded grosbeak
Bushtit
Fox Sparrow
Oregon Junco
White Crowned Sparrow
Chestnut Backed Chickadee
Sharp Shinned Hawk
Bewick's Wren
Blue Heron (he was lost)
Anna's Hummingbird
Goldfinch
House Finch
McGilvray's Warbler
Downey Woodpecker
Yellow Warlbler
Varied Thrush
Robin
Starling (news flash)
Crow
Stellar Jay
Nuthatch
Blackcap chickadee
Pine Siskin.

One other thought for you--your garden. If you spray with pesticides,
quit it. We don't use any in our yard, and our neighbors have also quit.
Those who have been in the neighborhood for more than 10 years report a
rise in the bird population. You can also plant bushes that attract
birds. We've devoted the perimeter of our yard to bird plants: Mt.
Ash, High bush cranberry, evergreen huckleberry, aronia, viburnum,
dogwood, honeysuckle.

Okay, just one more thought: water. Make sure you have a bird bath in
the summertime (if you really want to drive them wild add a pump so the
water moves).

Welcome to birdland.

Diane de Ryss, Seattle
deryssmacon at halcyon.com