Oasis For Flighty Friends

Sun., July 27, 1997

In some areas, water is more important than food in attracting birds.

Handy bird watering devices and misters are available from bird-feeding supply shops. Homemade bird watering systems also can be devised.

For example, place a large, shallow container under trees and fill it with water. Then fill a clean plastic milk jug with water and suspend it a few feet above the saucer. Poke a tiny hole in the bottom of the jug, so a drop falls every few seconds into the container below.

Make sure the jug is filled just after daybreak. The sound and motion of dripping water will draw an assortment of birds.

Some water saucers should be placed directly against trees, since nuthatches, flickers and downy woodpeckers like to walk down the tree trunk to get their drink. , DataTimes

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.