Yahoo gave me the catagory of Pets-birds????? I didnt know where to put this so here it is…lol
Im pretty sure its not a septic field or tank, its in the back yard (the tank is on the side of the house the field in the front) and its big, like I said its now a basketball court. there are no doors, but looks like it may have been sealed up.

Birds typically eat insects, seeds, fruits, nuts and berries. When you are planning your backyard environment, you should include species of flowers to attract insects and spiders. For fruits, nuts and berries, chooses a variety of plants, shrubs and trees which will continue to produce food as the seasons change. Another option is birdfeeders. The most common food for birdfeeders is sunflower seeds along with corn and millet. There are different styles of birdfeeders with different feeding areas to attract various species of birds including hanging feeders, platform feeders, tube feeders and suet (for birds to eat insect) feeders.

Safe water, free of pollutants and away from predators is extremely important to birds. Birds use water for drinking, bathing and cleaning their feathers. If you choose a birdbath, make sure it has some rough edges so the birds can get solid footing Birds are attracted to the sound of running or moving water so if you are lucky enough to have a stream, you have a great start. Ponds or pools should have stones, pebbles or sand for the birds.

Providing shelter or cover will protect the birds when they feed and nest. Many birds like to scrounge for food on the ground and look for areas where they can’t be seen by potential enemies. They also need place to build their nests. A combination of dense twigs, shrubs, plants and trees along with thorny plants such as roses with shield the birds. You should also have some open grassy areas. The greenery and shrubbery will also provide great nesting material for the wild birds. You can also set up nest boxes which will provide a place for hole-nesters and their babies since most backyards won’t have their normal habitat, dead trees. You can also either buy or build bird houses in your backyard, providing a safe haven from the wind, rain and cold.

One of the simplest ways not to scare birds away from your backyard and providing happy safe area to raise their young is to keep other animals away, especially cats. Following these easy tips and you will be able to enjoy many wild birds calling your backyard home.

Food

If you throw a bunch of seeds or stale bread on your lawn, you will attract birds. (See, I told you it was easy!) Of course, you will also attract squirrels, raccoons, cats, possums, and a host of insects. The birds that come around may only be starlings, sparrows, and crows. If you are not selective about which birds you attract, and you don’t mind having some other critters creeping around, then bird feeding could be that simple. This is not the method preferred by most backyard birders. To be more bird-selective, (and thereby reduce the number of unwanted prowlers), just be a little more selective about the type of food offered. Black oil sunflower seed and mixes of various seeds are available at many supermarkets or, usually more cost-effectively, at feed stores and garden centers. These foods attract a variety of wild birds, including chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, buntings, sparrows and cardinals. They can be placed in tube feeders or platform feeders, tube feeders being more selective toward the smaller songbird species.

Suet, which is raw beef or mutton fat, is a great, high-energy food for birds. Suet can be bought in preformed blocks at the supermarket, purchased unformed at the butcher shop, or formed by hand from the beef trimmings in your own kitchen. Suet, which is often mixed with nuts or seeds as an added bird-bonus, is particularly beneficial in the cold winter months when birds can really use the extra calorie boost.

Fruit, berries, and even peanut butter are also good for attracting wild birds. Whatever variety of food you choose, always keep the feeder clean to protect against bacteria that can harm the birds.

Water

Every living thing on earth needs water. A proper birdbath will attract many birds, some of which are pure insectivores and do not use bird feeders. The water in a birdbath should be no more than three inches deep to attract the greatest variety of wild birds. It is best if the floor of the birdbath is fairly light in color, so the birds can clearly gauge the depth. The floor of the birdbath should also slope gently to the deepest part, and it should be textured to assist birds with footing. The birdbath itself could be on a pedestal, hung from a branch or pole, or, if there is no danger from cats, it may be placed directly on the ground. In the winter, it may be necessary to add warm water to keep it from freezing, as most birds are poor skaters.

Watching the amusing antics around a birdbath is a uniquely entertaining experience for backyard birders. Birds of various species often perch around the rim, sporadically splashing, drinking, and preening in the water.

Shelter

Many times, providing shelter for birds is an easy task. Place your feeder in a spot that is near some trees. Birds will fly into the trees when they seek protection from weather or predators. Make sure there are no shrubs or high grass (or any other place where a cat might lay in ambush) within 12 feet of the bird feeder. The birds will take it from there.

Over the years, we have encroached on wild birds’ domain, polluted the air and water, and otherwise contributed to a shift in the natural balance that has put the survival of many bird species in question. We owe it to them to give a little assist. Recent conservation efforts have done much in that regard, but there is still a long way to go. Feed the birds and take another step to a happier, healthier world.

1. These birds prefer to feed from the ground so it’s best if you scatter their favorites (grain, cracked corn, melon seeds, raisins and peanuts) around your backyard.

2. A great way to attract these birds with little effort is by planting berry-producing bushes and trees. Mulberry, blackberry and dewberry are all excellent choices.

3. Make sure that you’ve got a bird bath in your yard. It should always be filled with clean water and consider installing a small fountain in it.

4. Northern Cardinals do not like other animals, so if you have dogs or cats that play outside regularly, you may want to restrict the area they inhabit, especially during nesting periods.

5. Planting wildflowers will attract small insects which Northern Cardinals need to feed their young.

6. Mount a feeder on low platform feeder in your yard and make sure that it has a sturdy room and that it won’t sway from side-to-side in the breeze.

Northern Cardinals are amazing creatures, so it’s no wonder you want to attract them to your backyard. Let’s face it, watching real birds in the wild in much more interesting than staring at a bird stuffed into bird cages.

If you have never had a pond before it pays to spend some time deciding what type of pond you want. Do you want an ornamental pond with a fountain? Or do you want a pond that attracts wildlife? If you are going to keep fish, will it be a specialised pond for keeping koi?

Depending on the answer to the above questions you then need to decide on the size and shape of pond. The other consideration will be maintenance in and around the pond that needs to take place once a week otherwise your hobby could turn into a chore. Don’t rush into a decision, as it could be a costly mistake.

A Pond for fish

There are lots of different fish that will live happily in a pond in your garden. There are goldfish, shubunkins, orfe and tench not to mention the famous koi. The pond will need to hold about 900 litres of water and should be at least 24 inches deep (this allows the fish to survive a cold winter). Koi need a great deal of space to thrive so make the pond as big as you can. Experience has shown that most people who start a pond will want to enlarge it sometimes twice more before they are happy with the size of pond. Large ponds are usually easier to maintain and the fish will thrive.

A Wildlife pond

In this more enlightened age, we are all encouraged to feed the birds and look after the wildlife we share our gardens with and creating a wildlife pond is a great way to do this. If you have a garden that gets lots of sun the majority of plants will prefer this situation, however, full shade is not a good position for a pond as the plants will not thrive. Some shade is needed and can be created by planting a deciduous tree in the correct place.

Types of pond

Liner ponds are probably the most widely used as you can create the size and shape you want (within the constrictions of the chosen site). The pond is dug out and an underlay is put down first to protect the pond liner from sharp objects that could puncture it and cause a leak. A concrete ‘collar’ needs to be constructed around the shape of the pond to give rigidity to the area if people are likely to stand on the edge of the pond. The paving or other material you chose to put around the edge of the pond will camouflage the concrete and the pond liner.

Rigid pond shells offer a convenient and trouble-free method of creating a pond. There are several different shapes to choose from and are light enough to enable you to move it around until you find a suitable position to place it. Make sure there are no tree roots or drains nearby that can interfere with the pond. Check for any damage i.e. holes or cracks before putting it in the ground.

A patio pond can be created using any form of rigid shape and a wall can be created around it. There are new shaped materials on the market that can be used to create the walls making job this much easier. The materials can be dry laid and this means you can move the pond in the winter. As you lay the walling ensure that it is level and upright as it would be unstable and could be dangerous and even fall over. If you want to add lighting or a fountain it’s a good idea to site it close to power points.

The state bird of Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin, the American Robin is a familiar songbird in the thrush family.  They live in towns and woodlands, and are commonly seen on suburban lawns exhibiting their “running and stopping” behavior as they gather their morning worms.

The America Robin feeds on different things throughout the day, including earthworms in the morning, and fruits and berries in the evening.  They are mostly active during the day and gather in large flocks at night to roost in trees in secluded areas.

The average life span of an American Robin is 2 years, with some living as long as 14 years.  Researchers have found that only 25% of young American Robins survive their first year.

Robins are considered a symbol of spring, and the color of their eggs coined the name Robin’s Egg Blue.  American Robins are especially fond of bathing, and are very attracted to backyard garden bird baths.

Identification Facts

Head to Tail Length: 9 – 11 inches

Distinctive Features: ruddy-orange breast and belly, white undertail coverts, dark head with semi-circle white eye ring, streaked throat, black back and wings, mainly yellow beak, the juvenile is paler in color with dark spots on its breast

Male & Female Characteristics: the male’s colors are brighter and his head is black, where the female’s head is gray.

Songs & Calls

The male American Robin’s whistled-song is commonly described as  “cheerily, cheer up, cheer up, cheerily, cheer up…”. They often sing this song very early in morning and in the evening.

The American Robin uses it’s “peek, tut, tut, tut…” call to warn of predators, and makes the “he, he, he, he…” call (often compared to a horse’s whinny) when its nest is threatened.

Nesting Behavior

Distribution: The American Robin can be found throughout the continental United States

Nest Type: platform

Breeding Season: April – July, 2 -3 broods per season, one of the first North American birds to lay eggs

Migration: most migrate south to Florida, the Gulf Coast, central Mexico and Pacific Coast, returning north in February and March

Nest Facts: located 5′-25′ above ground, commonly between tree branches, close to human habitation and is built by the female alone, clutch consists of 3-5 eggs which female alone incubates, eggs hatch after 14 days and fledglings leave the nest about 2 weeks later

Recommended Bird House: Mounted Platform

Diet

Food Type: American Robins cannot digest hard fruits or grains, and they primarily eat worms, grubs, caterpillars, grasshoppers, soft fruit & berries (grapes, blueberries).  Commercially available food options include mealworms, or  insect and fruit suet.

Recommended Feeders: Ground Platform Feeder, suet feeder

Similar species

the thrush family is large and includes bluebirds, rufous-backed & clay-colored robins, aztec, dusky & eye-browed thrushes.

A bird bath is another common fixture, providing a place for passing birds to perch and drink in peace.

One of the best ways of attracting birds is to provide them with a place to nest – they will keep returning instead of just stopping on their way past. You can buy pre-made bird houses or kits that you assemble yourself. If you’re handy you can even build your own from scratch.

If you’re thinking of using a bird house kit the first thing to consider is how it will be used. Is it going to be a permanent fixture in your yard or do you want it to be more portable? And what types of birds are you hoping to attract with it?

Some kits are made for single birds, others for more than one. Some are hung while others can be mounted on a fence or a post of some sort. Taking the time to plan ahead will make your birding experience much more satisfying.

If you’re buying a ready-to-assemble kit, the wood will all be pre-measured and cut and all the other hardware will also be included. The entrance holes will be pre-cut and the mounting holes will be prepared for you. These kits are generally made from cedar as it is a good weather-resistant wood.

You may find the surfaces are rough or possibly primed, ready for a finish coat of paint. Painting the bird house is often half the fun. You can go simple, with a color that attracts the type of birds you want or you can go with a fancier paint job, making it a nice addition to your garden.

The great thing about birding is that is it a hobby that you can participate in anywhere – even in your own backyard. Infact, Backyard birding is not only exciting and enjoyable, it is also a very low cost way of observing nature.

There is over nine hundred species of birds in the United States alone. No matter how you stack it, that number means that the hobby can take you to far off locales and be exciting for a lifetime.

The basics of backyard birding are simple. There are two considerations and both of these are equipment-based thoughts that you will need to work with. The first important decision will be choosing the binoculars you will use. This is probably the most important piece of equipment that you will buy for the hobby. Without a good pair of binoculars then bird watching is nearly impossible to say the least. Not only should you consider the quality of the binoculars. You should also make sure the comfort level matches your personal preferences.

For backyard birding, pocket binoculars are usually sufficient because the birds will be in relatively close proximity.

During certain months, the sights of natural birdlife may be scarce but there are many ways of making your garden attractive to many different birds and enjoying their presence for most of the year.

There are a few ways that you can make your garden more suitable for backyard birding. These methods are:

1. Installing a Bird House: This is one of the most common methods and, best of all, birds love them. No matter what the weather a house can provide shelter against any kinds of weather and birds can have something to eat or drink during their stay.

2. Fitting a Bird Bath: For people who love bird watching there is nothing nicer than watching birds frolic in a bath while you sit comfortably inside or lounge in your garden.

3. Having Large Trees: As the winter months start to creep in, birds need to prepare their nests ready for the birth of their young and it creates a beautiful atmosphere. There is nothing nicer than watching birds twittering away from the trees. Greenery such as conifers almost guarantees visitors all year round. Overall, these are common features that can be found in any garden, but birds love them and this will mean an ultimate experience for you and your family.

With these backyard birding tips, you should be able to enjoy bird watching from the comfort of your own home.

Birdhouses are basically made in many sizes and with a variety of different wood materials. The birds enjoy a safe haven subject to the outside temperatures and predators and it allows them to nest. Birds always need somewhere to nest, so why not build a variety of wooden birdhouses in different sizes for the birds in your area. A basic wooden birdhouse can be very easy to build, and can also be a fun weekend project.

Here are a some important things for you to consider when building your own wooden birdhouse:

Do research the environment and the different variety of birds commonly known to migrate in your region.

Do understand the needs of your feeder birds, such as the size of birdhouse, and location of birdhouse.

Don’t paint, stain, varnish, or treat the inside or around the hole entrance of the birdhouse, this will keep away the birds. There are many different woods that you can use to make your birdhouse, but most commonly used is Cedar. Cedar wood is a good material which does not need to be pained, stained, or treated.

Avoid using a perch on the birdhouse. By putting a perch on the birdhouse, the bird may become trapped inside the birdhouse because of fear. A perch will allow a predator bird to wait on the perch until the smaller birds comes out.

Drill the proper entrance hole, for the bird you are trying to attract. Again, the importance of size. You will need to research the birds in your area and which ones you would like to invite to your backyard.

Location:

The importance of a great location to properly install your birdhouse is a big part of your awaited new guests. Once you are done building your birdhouse, you will need to find a good location, that is away from any danger, such as cats, and weather. A good location would be somewhere in your property that doesn’t have to much human activity, but will allow you to view the birds without interference. The birdhouse can be hung on a tree, or mounted to a pole or tree limb, and should be at least 3 to 10 feet high.

Bird feeder:

Adding bird feeders to your property is another great way to attract birds. As stated above, you must research the different variety of birds commonly known to migrate in your region, that will give you some insight as to what kind of birdfeed and treats to fill your birdfeeders. Once birds discover your newly built bird feeder and the great treats you are providing them, you can expect to start seeing the birds flock into your backyard.

Building a basic wooden bird feeder is not difficult at all, you can get many ideas by searching for bird feeder plans on the internet, or visiting a bookstore or library.

Water:

Birds are also attracted by water. Birds need a water area for drinking and for bathing. This to is a project that you can make on your own, or if you do not have time buy at a store. It is suggested that you research different bird bath plans and see if this is a project you would like to do. You can also use any shallow container to hold water. You can place them on the ground or above the ground, near the feeders would be a good location. If you do have cats in the area it would be suggested that you make it closer and accessible to the birds so that they do not become victim to such animals.