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Cynthia's Favorite
Birdwatching Site

Mason Farm Biological Preserve

Cynthia's Tip
Hummingbird Recipe: Four (4) parts water to one (1) part sugar. Keep any extra in the refrigerator until needed.

Come Join Us for a Bird Walk


Unless otherwise indicated, dress for the weather and come to the store by 7:55 a.m. We will car pool to the local area "hot spot" and return to the store for coffee by 10:00 a.m.

Call (919) 933-2030 for more information.

Bird Walk dates:

May 3*
(*meet at Duke Gardens at 8:00 am)
May 17-18**
(**This is a special birdwalk to the NC Mountains. You must call 933 -2030 to register for this walk as the number of participants is limited.)
May 31
Deer-repellent Recipe
I would like to share a recipe that the Prus family, of Chapel Hill, gave to me. This is a homemade DEER-OFF recipe that you can try on your plants. You need to spray your plants every few weeks and after it rains with the mixture. The mixture's strong odor supposedly keeps deer away. I will be trying it, so come in and swap success stories with me. (Another trick you can try is hanging strong-smelling soap all around your plants. Keep the soap in the wrapper, drill through its top, and hang it from a string near your plants. If it works to repel deer, let me know the soap's brand name, so I can buy stock in the company!)
Recipe for Deer Repellent
In a one-gallon container mix:
-one cup sour milk, yogurt, sour cream or buttermilk
-two eggs beaten and strained (don't omit the straining, or you'll plug up the sprayer)
-five drops liquid dish soap
-five drops cooking oil or dormant oil
-20 drops essential oil of cloves*
Top off the gallon with water. Shake well. Pour mixture into sprayer. Lightly mist plants -- enough to moisten, not enough to run off. Apply the repellent when leaves are dry and when no rain expected for a day. Respray every two to three weeks.
*Essential oil of cloves is important, as it is concentrated. It's available at Kerr Drugs, at University Mall. If it's not in stock, they can order it for you.

Some of the most frequently asked questions we hear in our stores

can be answered by The Top Ten Tips of Dr. Geis*

(*Dr. Aelred Geis, Ph.D., is former Director of Research for Wild Bird Centers of America, Inc.)

  1. Use the seed most attractive to the birds you want to feed. Oil sunflower seed is often the best
  2. Put feeders where you can easily see them.
  3. Make sure all feeding ports and feeding areas are kept clear of debris so birds have easy access to food.
  4. Have a shrub or other perching area near feeders to increase bird visits and visibility.
  5. Make your own hummingbird nectar using 4 parts water to 1 part sugar.
  6. Since most birds that eat millet are ground feeders, present your millet either on a platform feeder or directly on the ground.
  7. Use Bird Cakes to attract woodpeckers and other unusual species.
  8. It may be shocking to see a hawk taking a bird in your backyard, but there is no need for alarm. High mortality rates are normal for songbirds and balance their high reproductive rates.
  9. Plant more shrubs and trees on your property.
  10. Remember that birds prefer feeders that give them access to food. Always choose a bird feeder that has high bird appeal and, if necessary, use baffles to keep squirrels away.