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Old 06-07-2003, 03:32 PM
Tyra Trevellyn
 
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Default A-T-T-R-A-C-T! Not Attrack.

From: (Rupert)
Date: Sat, Jul 5, 2003 4:36 PM
Message-id:

Frogleg wrote in message

. ..
On Thu, 03 Jul 2003 21:54:20 GMT, "Berob" wrote:


"Rupert" wrote


I had a thought. Last summer I had grubs in my front yard but not

in
my back (where the birds hang out). Is there a good way to attrack
birds to the lawn so that they can eat the grubs up? Is this why I
didn't have them in the back?


If you can't say somethin' useful, don't say nothin' at all. Heaven
knows we've all typed quickly and hit 'send' before thoroughly
proofreading.

Rupert, feeders and birdbaths attract birds. I don't know what
varieties might go after grubs, or even if bird visitations are
responsible for the difference between front and back.


Thanks. Yeah, my typo has caused little feedback on the subject (my
own fault). I get tons of finches, doves, and black birds, but not
many Robins, which, from what I understand, are the Grub eaters. Not
sure what to do about this.


The true champions of grub-eating are European Starlings. Most people don't
want to attract these rather unpleasant birds, but they are good at
de-grubbing. If you have grubs and keep your grass relatively short, they'll
be there to sample the cuisine, and will often descend in flocks. This time of
year, roving bands of juvenile starlings (dull brownish-gray with dark bills,
totally unlike their iridescent. yellow-billed parents) show up regularly. As
others have said, water is a great lure; put some extra bowls of water around
in the front yard. If there are starlings in your area (and they are almost
everywhere people are), they should visit. (I'd advise you not to encourage
them to hang out for too long.)

American Robins are attracted to expanses of short grass, especially during
nesting season. Trees and shrubs with fruits/berries also attract them other
times of year. Robins would be charming and ideal de-grubbers, except they're
unlikely to appear on your lawn in flocks and thus won't do much work for you.

Best,
Tyra
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