Bird feeding question

[spence]

Originally Posted by Raven

Cardinals prefer to feed off the ground!!

If I had a lot of cardinals I'd use the open fly through feeders. At least that way there's some protection for the seed from some rain.

Just make sure you use safflower so the squirrels don't empty it in a day.

-spence

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by spence

Just make sure you use safflower so the squirrels don't empty it in a day.

-spence

Not in my neighborhood. Doesn't matter what I put in the feeders and the squirrels empty them with in 2 days. I was told that they didn't like safflower so I filled it up and every time I looked out there was a squirrel on or near the feeder.

This is why I decided on 'other ways' of preventing the squirrels from eating all the food.

[Raven]

you'll have to buy the squirrel proof bird feeder
that closes the slot with their own weight.

[basswipe]

There are two things I do when it comes to squirrels.

I used to grease the poles that the feeders are on and that works good only for a little while and I finally got tired of constantly doing that.Now what I do is use a cheap feeder and fill it with cracked corn which is pretty inexpensive when compared to seed.I place it below and under my bird feeders and the squirrels naturally go for it first.

I also own a match grade pellet pistol.Its sole purpose is to be a tack driver at 10yds.
It has no real significant power and does no real damage other than sting like a bastard,the squirrels tend remember that and will stay away for a while.

[Raven]

there are NO acorns under the snow or cached away
in a hollow tree trunk for lean times this year.

Last year i was inundated with grey squirrels 20
and red squirrels 10
to the point it was a loosing battle.

[PaulS]

I'll spread more seed on the groung today - and try the orange peels. I do have the spring loaded bird feeder and it works much better than the non spring loaded. Live near the beach and don't get a real lot of birds. I think other years when I feed them through the summer, I'd see more around.

I may try to net some at my Dad's this weekend and bring some home w/me.

I read somewhere the acorn crop this year was at it's lowest in many years. Last year there was an abundance - normal cycles.

[Raven]

the day after Christmas
most Christmas trees are free

you can take advantage of that fact
grab a few and make yourself a
temporary instant mini forest...

i go out to my huge blue spruce and toss sunflower seed
up on the branches and soon it is filled with happy birds

[PaulS]

Originally Posted by Raven

you can take advantage of that fact
grab a few and make yourself a
temporary instant mini forest...

Usually I take the tree to the recycling center. This year, I'll leave it in the yard.
Thanks