oF 18 - Friday, December 1, 1989 - North Shore News FEEDING TIPS HOME & GARDEN Birds bring life to winter garden From page 16 And birds, of course. In the unlucky event that your garden is birdless, Bell offers some sugges- tions to attract the feathered creatures to your backyard. The most obvious is to offer food. By offering up the right food, you can attract up to 35 bird species, from Red-shafted Flickers and Evening Grosbeaks to Pine Siskins. Favorite foods are sunflower seeds, buckwheat, millet and peanut bits. Bell warns people not to use old white bread, since it “binds up their insides,’’ and to avoid salt, orange and lemon peels, waste from spicy foods, and dessicated coconut (it swells up in their stomach with fatal results). Don’t think you are doing them a favor by sweeping crumbs off your floor and putting them in the feed- er. Birds have nutrient needs just like people. Another favorite food is apple, enjoyed by robins, thrushes, woodpeckers and jays in late winter. Also try raisins, figs and dried fruit (soak before putting out). To avoid providing birds for ‘ food, rather than the contrary, make sure the feeder is at least six feet off the ground, out of the reach of cats and other predators. The feeder should be wooden or plastic — metal pieces are not recommended since little birds’ feet can get stuck to them in cold temperatures. “All birds like is that the seed is kept dry,’” says Bell, and adds that locating the feeder near shrubs is & ae We’ re Free also a good idea, so little birds can take cover. If you want to see larger birds such as the Merlin or Sharp-shinned Hawk, locate the feeding station away from the house, so that they can ‘“‘swoop in.’’ Be prepared, however, for larger birds to make the occasional snack of the smaller ones. If squirrels are horning in on the offerings, try hanging the feeder from the eaves, or providing food suck as nuts or corn cobs in another location. In addition to providing food, you can design your garden with birds in mind by providing natural food sources (and cover) such as Holly, Mountain Ash, Cotoneaster, Fireberry, Hazel, Vine Maple, Sunflowers and coni- fers. Bell points out that people will not ‘“‘spoil’’ the birds by putting out seed. ‘‘They (birds) have been coming here for thousands of years for food and all those food resources they used to have are disappearing. Instead, there are houses or office buildings, or parking lots, which means they don’t get a lot of food.’’ Further- more, birds act as insect control, some species eating aS many as 2,000 mosquitoes a day. But most of all, birds provide pleasure to the homeowner who can watch their seasonal activities and listen to their songs. To participate in the North Shore Christmas Bird Count for garden, yard and patio, contact the Ecology Centre at 987-5922. We’ re Easy... or most retailers, manufacturer's cooperative advertising programs represent the best way to gain more visibility and to sell more products while keeping advertising costs to a minimum. The North Shore News operates a Co-op Depart- mag SPA PRICES PRE CHRISTMAS SALE Order Now to Ensure Delivery. f WALLPAPER " AVAGONs Brings a store to your door... Make decorating your home a pleasant and relaxing experience It is “one stop shopping” and the stop is right in your livingroom. The WALLPAPER WAGON brings perfectly coordinated walicoverings and SAVE UP TO 5,000 POOL & SPA CHEMICALS fabrics right into your home to see the effects. “Your Hot Tub Specialist” bartle & (2 blocks off Maln Street) ‘988-4141 P the season to give your favorite Santa the well-earned relaxation he deserves. And there’s no better way to get it started than with a J. Collins chair-that-reclines. Beneath the superbly styled exterior (you'll never want to hide it away in his workshop), lie the famous J. Collins features. Like the sturdy kiln-dried frame, and the ali-linkage mechanism—beth designed to provide years of carefree comfort. Come see all of the J. Collins chairs-that-recline. There’s a style for every Santa. And for Mrs. Claus, too. Separate yourself from the ordinary! Opt for a leather interior. COMFORT NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD. Leather gibson co. Itd. 399 Mountain Highway yp WHOLESALE? : 4 ment that’s both free and easy. Free, because we don’t charge for researching your product lines for available co-op dollars, for taking care of the claiming procedure, or for keeping track of the advertising requirements. Easy, because all you have to do is give us a call. We'll do the rest. CO-OP 980-0511 Many other leather styles to choose from THOMASVILLE GALLERY 435-5566 4240 Manor Street. Burnaby (%2 block west of Villa Sheraton Hotel) HOURS: Monday to Saturday—9 to 5 p.m. Sunday —Noon to 5 p.m. 1080 Maintang Street Vancouver, BC. THE VOICE OF NORTH AND WEST VANCOUVER . Main Floor north shore’ Yale Town Galleria Bidg. 685-8414