| How to Protect Bird Nests from Predators Posted: 30 Oct 2018 05:00 PM PDT A bird's nest is a wonderful addition to a backyard, and these are most common during the nesting season in spring. Make it difficult for cats and racoons to reach the nest box through limiting when cats can be outdoors, installing the nest box in a good spot, and attaching a predator guard. For snakes and insects, keeping the area around the nest box maintained, and making sure that the nest box is clean when it's empty is key. Protecting the nest from predators will increase the likelihood of survival for the birds and their chicks, and you will be able to watch many generations thrive in your own backyard. EditProtecting the Nest from Cats and Racoons - Keep cats indoors during the breeding season. The breeding season for most wild bird species is during the spring, however this can be slightly earlier or later depending on the species. Keeping your own cat indoors, and asking your neighbors to do the same, particularly at night, will help to keep the nest safe from cats.[1]
- Some further signs of bird breeding season being underway are all of the typical signs that you associate with spring. Blooming flowers, light rain showers, bright plumage and feathers, and an increase in bird song are all signs that the nests will have chicks soon.[2]
- Put a bell on your cat's collar if you can't keep them inside. This will help to warn the birds of an approaching cat. Although a bell will only offer a small amount of protection, it will be helpful in addition to other protection strategies.[3]
- You can buy bells for cat collars from most department or pet stores.
- Buy a nest box for the birds. You can get nest boxes from many hardware and gardening stores. Ask the salesperson what boxes are suitable for the bird species in your backyard, as there may be one type that is more effective than another.[4]
- A nest box or birdhouse that is mounted to a pole in your garden can make a huge difference for the survival of the birds in the nest. When a nest is in a tree, there isn't much that you can do to protect it.
- Install a roof that extends 5 in (13 cm) from the front of the nest box. When it's not breeding season and the nest is empty, you can either extend the existing roof to make it bigger, or replace the roof with a larger one. This will prevent cats and racoons from being able to sit on the roof and reach into the nest box hole from above.[5]
- Cats and racoons are intelligent creatures who will quickly learn that nest boxes can be a reliable source of food. This means that making access to the nest as difficult as possible for these animals is key.
- Place the nest box as far away from any large trees as possible. A nest box which is close to large trees makes it easy for cats to leap from a tree to the top of the nest box. This will reduce the likelihood of any felines being able to reach the nest and predate on the birds.[6]
- Nest boxes ideally should be placed at least (15 m) away from trees.[7]
- Make sure that the nest box is at least (1.8 m) off the ground. Cats can generally jump up to 6 times their own height in a single leap, which means that a (30 cm) family feline can reach a nest (1.8 m) off the ground. This will also help to keep racoons out of the nest.[8]
- Nest boxes that are (1.2 - 1.5 m) above the ground, or less, will become an easy target for predators that dwell on the ground.
- Attach a predator guard to the nest box pole. This will prevent cats and racoons from being able to climb the pole to reach the nest. A common design for predator guards is a conical metal collar which is attached convex to the nest box on the pole. A stovepipe baffle is another effective guard, which is a piece of pipe that encircles the pole and makes it very difficult to cross.[9]
- There are a variety of different shapes, sizes, and designs of predator guards available from gardening and hardware stores.
- A stovepipe baffle will also help to prevent most snake species from reaching the nest, which makes it ideal to use if you are concerned about multiple predator species.[10]
EditPreventing Snakes from Accessing the Nest - Rub 1 cup of hot red cayenne pepper on the nest box pole. Give the pole a light dusting with the pepper to deter snakes from climbing the pole and reaching the nest box. Do this 1 - 2 times per week throughout the breeding season, until the nest is empty.[11]
- Cayenne pepper will also help to deter cats, squirrels, and bears, making it ideal if a wide variety of predators is the problem.
- Birds don't have much of a sense of taste, and the cayenne pepper cannot harm them or their nest.
- Keep the vegetation around the pole trimmed and maintained. Snakes love long grass and thick cover to hide in, and this works especially well if this is around the pole to the nest box. Mow the lawn regularly and keep it free of weeds, to help keep snakes at bay.[12]
- If snakes are a particular problem in your area, consider getting rid of the lawn and creating a circle of clean sand around that pole that is (30 cm) in diameter.
- Be very careful when checking the nesting box and surrounding area for snakes, especially while you are keeping the garden maintained. Most injuries in this situation come from getting a surprise from seeing a snake and falling over, rather than from the snake itself.[13]
- Polish and clean the nest pole regularly. Use fine steel wool to rub over the pole regularly to remove any dirt. This is because any debris will make it easier for the snake to climb the pole, as there will be more friction.[14]
- To test if it's likely that snakes will be able to climb the pole or not, use a silk handkerchief to rub lightly over the pole. If the handkerchief snags on any debris, especially if it's every 6 in (15 cm) or less, then it's likely that a snake would easily be able to climb the pole.
- Use carpet tack strips to deter snakes. Use either nails or duct tape to secure carpet tack strips up the pole to deter snakes from climbing it. You could also use adjustable clamps to hold the carpet tack strips in place.[15]
- Carpet tack strips are used to hold carpet in place, and are thin boards which are covered in small nails.[16]
- Carpet tack strips should only be used as a last resort, when all other solutions for predation by snakes have been exhausted. This is because they could be dangerous to small children or family pets, so avoid using them if possible.
EditKeeping Insects Away from the Nest - Use vinegar and mint to deter insects. Insects rely mostly on smell to survive, and most will be deterred by the smell of vinegar and mint. Spray mint oil or natural cider vinegar both in and around nest boxes while they are empty.[17]
- Spray insecticides after the nesting season is over. Mites, fly larvae, and bird lice can all be eliminated by pyrethrin and rotenone insecticides. This will help to keep the nest box clean, and to discourage insect predators from hanging around.[18]
- Never use insecticides either just before or while the birds are using the boxes, as the birds are very sensitive to chemicals and could easily be harmed.
- Clean the nest box after the breeding season. Once the nesting season is done, remove the nest box from the pole and scrub it with a 10% bleach water solution. This is to get rid of any insects that are nesting in the box.[19]
- Leave the nest box in the sun to dry, and wait until it has completely dried before you put it back on the pole.
- Coat the ceiling of the nest box with bar soap to deter wasps. Wasps like to make their nests inside bird nesting boxes, however a smooth, slightly slippery coating will prevent them from being able to. Cover the ceiling with a coating of soap, and extend it slightly down the walls too.[20]
- An unscented bar soap with as few ingredients as possible is the best choice.
- Try not to get discouraged if predators do happen to get into the nest. It's impossible to make the nest 100% safe from predators, so if the worst does happen, try out a different solution next time.[21]
- Remember that native predators can also help birds, rather than being detrimental to them. While the native predator might consume a few birds nests per year, it will also hunt many more rodents, which would have otherwise preyed on the nests. Some bird species choose to nest near native predators because this gives them the protection from many smaller rodents, despite the obvious risk.[22]
- Although petroleum jelly can be effective to to keep many insects away, never use this around birds as their feathers can get greasy and this will hinder their flight.[23]
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Make Fluffy Scrambled Eggs Posted: 30 Oct 2018 09:00 AM PDT Preparing fluffy scrambled eggs sounds like it should be fairly simple, but there is a lot of controversy in the cooking world over the best way to achieve that fluffy, light texture. It all comes down to finding out what works best for you and your taste buds—but there are several how-to tips you can follow to attain tasty scrambled eggs, from when to season them to adding in cream or butter. EditIngredients EditFluffy Scrambled Eggs - 6 cold eggs
- of butter
- Salt and pepper
- Crème fraîche
- Chopped chives
Makes 2-3 servings EditScrambling Eggs like a Pro - Invest in a nonstick pan. Avoid using cast-iron or stainless steel pans when you cook your eggs—they're much more likely to stick and burn. Use a small nonstick pan for cooking 1-4 eggs, a medium sized nonstick pan for 4-6 eggs, and a large nonstick pans for 6 or more eggs.[1]
- Don't use metal utensils in a nonstick pan, as they will scrape and scratch the nonstick coating.
- Stir your eggs with a silicone spatula. Avoid using metal utensils, wooden spoons, or any utensil that has a firm edge because they won't be able to fully scrape the sides of the pan as you cook. When you stir, make sure to scrape the sides of the pan, the bottom, and especially that little corner where the sides connect to the bottom.[2]
- If you don't have a silicone spatula, a wooden spoon is the next best option; it's less likely to scratch your non-stick pan than a metal utensil.
- Add milk, cream, or crème fraîche for creamier, fluffier eggs. Add more liquid if you want your eggs to be creamier, and less liquid if you prefer a firmer scrambled egg. Use about of liquid per egg you are cooking.[3]
- Whole milk and cream give a better texture to scrambled eggs than non-fat milk.
- Season your eggs right before they finish cooking. Wait until your eggs are just a little bit runny still, and then sprinkle on your salt and pepper. Some cooking aficionados claim that seasoning the eggs too early will make them watery and rubbery.[4]
- Some experts say to season the eggs before they even go into the hot pan. This is one of those areas where you'll have to test it out to see what you like the best, as there is more than 1 way you can season your eggs.[5]
- Crack the eggs directly into the pan. Or don't. This is another area where experts are split. Try it out both ways—cook scrambled eggs by cracking the eggs directing into the pan, and cook them by cracking them into a bowl and whisking them together there first.[6]
- Try it out to see which method you prefer, then you can speak with confidence when making your own scrambled eggs.
- Remove the eggs from the heat right before they finish cooking. When the eggs are mostly cooked but still slightly runny, take them off the heat. The residual warmth from the pan will finish cooking the eggs the entire way, whereas if you left them on the burner a little longer, they would start to dry out and get less fluffy.[7]
- If you accidentally take your eggs off the heat too soon, just turn your burner back on and continue cooking the eggs for another minute.
- Add in tasty toppings, like cheese, chives, or even chopped olives. Wait to add your toppings until you've removed the eggs from the heat. Then, just before you transfer the eggs to your plate, sprinkle your topping onto the eggs. For cheese, the heat from the eggs will help it melt and meld to the eggs.[8]
- If you're hosting a brunch, you could even have a variety of toppings available for your guests to choose from, like chopped ham, olives, shredded cheese, fresh basil, chives, and a myriad of hot sauces.
EditMaking Fluffy Scrambled Eggs - Chop your chives and set them to the side. Use a sharp kitchen knife and a clean cutting board, and finely chop your chives. You can make the chive pieces as small or as big as you like, depending and what you prefer. Set the chives to the side in a small bowl.[9]
- Wash your hands after chopping the chives to remove the onion smell.
- Crack your eggs straight into a deep, unheated saucepan. Crack the eggs either on the counter or on the side of the saucepan, and deposit them straight into the pan, rather than first putting them into a bowl. Put the shells down the garbage disposal or add them to your compost pile.[10]
- Depending on your preference, if you're a "whisk before cooking" person, go ahead and crack your eggs into a bowl and whisk them until they're incorporated.
- Use cold eggs if you can for a better texture.
- Put the cubed butter into the pan along with the eggs. Use about of butter, and add it right into the unheated pan along with the eggs. You can cut the butter into smaller chunks if you prefer, though the eggs and the butter will all get mixed together fully in the end regardless of the size of the butter at the beginning.[11]
- Your butter can be cold or at room temperature.
- Turn the burner heat to high and continuously stir the eggs. Use a silicone or rubber spatula to break, mix, and move the eggs. It's very important that you keep them in constant motion to ensure they incorporate together and don't become streaky.[12]
- If you prefer to whisk the eggs together ahead of time, simply whisk them in a bowl before adding them to the pan along with your butter.
- Lift the pan off of the heat every 30 seconds for 10 seconds at a time. Continue to stir the eggs the entire time the pan is off of the heat. So you will heat the eggs for 30 seconds, remove for 10 seconds, heat the eggs for 30 seconds, and so on, until you've cooked the eggs for about 3 minutes or until they are silky, light, and just very slightly runny.[13]
- As you stir, make sure to scrape the eggs from the bottom, the sides, and the corner where the sides intersect with the bottom to ensure none of the eggs burn.
- Season the eggs and add the crème fraîche right as they finish cooking. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and a small spoonful of crème fraîche (about will be adequate) into the eggs and stir until everything is incorporated together.[14]
- You can use sea salt or regular table salt, whatever you have on hand is fine!
- Remove the eggs from the heat right before they finish cooking. When you notice that the eggs are silky and smooth, but still slightly runny, turn off the burner and also remove the eggs from the heat. The residual heat of the pan will continue cooking the eggs.[15]
- Continue stirring the eggs even after they've been removed from the heat.
- Transfer the eggs to a plate and garnish with the chopped chives. You could serve the eggs on top of toast or potatoes, and sprinkle as few or as many chives as you prefer. Eat the eggs immediately after they finish cooking for the best taste and fluffiest texture.[16]
- If you don't like chives, consider using fresh basil or adding some shredded cheese.
- Try to use organic, free-range eggs when you can, as they will have a better flavor.
- Try making scrambled eggs a few different ways to see which you prefer: salt your eggs before they cook or just as they finish cooking; whisk your eggs in a bowl or directly in the pan; cook your eggs over medium-low heat or use high heat with frequent stirring.
EditThings You'll Need EditMaking Fluffy Scrambled Eggs - Cutting board
- Sharp kitchen knife
- Large saucepan
- Silicone/rubber spatula
- Spoon
- Plate
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Bake Cupcakes Without a Cupcake Pan Posted: 30 Oct 2018 01:00 AM PDT If you need to make cupcakes but don't have a cupcake tray, it's still possible to bake those cupcakes. If you have cupcake liners, all you need to do is create stronger liners by stacking them on top of one another before placing them in a regular baking tray. If you don't have liners, you can make your own using square pieces of parchment paper and a cup. EditPlacing Cupcake Liners in a Tray - Create a stable structure using cupcake liners. If you're using paper liners, you'll need to use at least 2 or 3 stacked on top of one another so that they're able to stand on their own. Foil liners are the best choice as they're already very strong.[1]
- It's likely that you won't need to double or triple the foil liners.
- Place the liners on a baking tray. When placing the liners, arrange them on the tray so that they're close together, even touching. This will give them more support.[2]
- It's best if the tray has some sort of lip so that if the cupcakes do spill, you won't have a huge mess to clean up.
- Set the liners in mason jar lids for extra support. If you want to be extra careful, take out the flat sections of mason jar lids and use the metal rings. Line the rings up along the baking tray and then place a cupcake liner in the center of each ring.[3]
- Fill the liners with the cupcake mix. Once your liners are all set, mix up your cupcake mix according to the instructions. Fill each liner ⅔ or ¾ of the way to the top, just as you would in a regular cupcake pan.[4]
- Put the tray into the oven and bake for the recommended amount of time. Place the tray in the preheated oven after all the liners have been filled. Move slowly and carefully when putting the tray in the oven to avoid spilling the cupcake batter. Follow the recipe to know how long to bake the cupcakes.
- Set a timer to help you prevent overcooking the cupcakes.
EditCreating Your Own Cupcake Liners - Make your own cupcake liners out of a stiff, oven-safe material. If you don't have cupcake liners or a cupcake pan and still want to make cupcakes, you can make your own liners at home. You'll still need to double or triple the homemade liners so that they can stand up in the pan.[5]
- Parchment paper is the recommended material, but you can also use wax paper or aluminum foil.
- The stiffer the paper, the more stable your cupcake liners will be.
- Cut the parchment paper into squares. Pull off a stretch of parchment paper and use a ruler to measure out squares. Use scissors to carefully cut out each measured square. You'll be doubling or tripling the liners for each cupcake, so cut out enough squares for this to happen.[6]
- Most normal-sized cupcake pans make 12 cupcakes.
- Find a cup with a base the same size as a cupcake liner. The sizing doesn't need to be exact, but try to find a glass or cup with a bottom similar to a cupcake liner. Most regular-sized cupcake liners have a bottom diameter of roughly .[7]
- Center the parchment paper over the bottom of the cup. Turn the cup over and place the square piece of parchment paper over the circular bottom. Try to align the paper so that all of the corners are equally spaced.[8]
- Press the paper over the cup to create 4 folds. Create a fold in between each corner of the piece of paper so that you create a mold of the cup. You should have 4 clean folds when you're finished.[9]
- When folding, try to press the folds as close to the cup as possible.
- Run your fingers along the entire edge of the liner. Once you've finished the folds, keep the liner on top of the cup. Press your fingers along the circular edge you've created so that you form a solid base. Now your liner is finished![10]
- Remove the liner from the cup and start placing your liners in the pan. Set up the liners on a baking tray just as you would if they were store-bought liners. Make sure they're placed close together to give them additional support.
- Double or triple the homemade liners to make them sturdier. Most materials that you use will need extra help to support the weight of the batter. Double or triple line your cupcake liners on the tray so that they won't spill.
- Try not to use tape to keep your homemade cupcake liners together — tape doesn't do well in the oven and you don't want it near your food.
EditThings You'll Need - Cupcake liners
- Baking tray
- Cupcake batter ingredients
- Mason jar lids (optional)
- Parchment paper or foil (optional)
- Cup (optional)
- Pen (optional)
- Ruler (optional)
- Scissors (optional)
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
No comments:
Post a Comment