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Open Air Aviary

Grown now are the small children who used to swing on the old swing set in our backyard. So I removed the rusting swings and teeter-totter for easier mowing. Then, with sudden inspiration, I realized that this was a made-to-order frame for hanging bird feeders. It boasted six sturdy hooks that I could easily access with a small stool. Large leafy trees were nearby for shelter and a birdbath could be placed conveniently close.

Goldfinches, rosy finches, and redpolls are now daily visitors in our Minnesota backyard. Thrushes appear along with the finches, and I was delighted one day to see a rose-breasted grosbeak. Robins, blackbirds, cooing mourning doves, a family of blue jays, with their heraldic beauty, and several gray squirrels feed in the grassy area on leftovers from the feeders hanging above. They all disperse quickly to the nearby trees to watch when I appear to replenish the feeders with thistle seed, mixed seed, and sunflower seed.

A red hummingbird feeder also gives color and variety to my open-air aviary, while a hanging basket contains ivy vines in season and blooming, red petunias, which attract these tiny, magnificent performers.

I anticipate travelers in the spring and fall, migrating orioles and maybe a scarlet tanager. I find much happiness in attracting many different species of birds to my own backyard, observing their habits, and hearing their varied songs.

Our 25-acre farm graces the edge of our small town, so my birds are not frightened by everyday noises of passing cars and people. If I am diligent and keep my feeders full so all stations are available, the reward is continual bird company.

Swing Birds

Our children are 39 and 37 years old, respectively. But our swing set has never been out of use.

When the children outgrew the swings and glider, my husband transformed that set into a birds' cafeteria, hanging different bird feeders and suet holders from the hooks already in place. When we moved to the country four years ago, the old swing set was one of the first things transplanted, and before two hours elapsed a chickadee had discovered the new restaurant.

Over the years, some parts gave in to rust, but Jim replaced the pieces with PVC pipe and wood cross-pieces -- a remodeled cafeteria!

When I see swing sets waiting at the curb for the trash haulers, I always want to get on my soapbox and shout the virtues of recycling the apparatus for the birds and tell of the pleasures of watching all their daily visits.