Backyard bird watching

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

Agree with Raven, too high up and away from cover. Give them time others will find the feeder, especially at first snow.

Appreciate the input from you and Raven. Unfortunately, that spot was my only option. We have some large bay windows with a reflective coating on the outside which works out well in that we can stand right next to the window and see the birds (the pictures I posted are without any zoom). We don't have a yard or anything like that and wanted to put the feeders in a place where they could be enjoyed.

Those two goldfinches have gone through half the tube of sunflower seed in about a week. Do you guys suggest I get a mixed seed or keep going with the sunflower seeds?

Honestly, my main goal is to get regular visits from cardinals. I really enjoy their vivid red color. Tips?

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Honestly, my main goal is to get regular visits from cardinals. I really enjoy their vivid red color. Tips?

Get something with a flat bottom, cardinals don't like (but will try) to feed from tube feeders. Stay with 100% striped or better black oil sunflower seeds. Cardinals like safflower seeds (white). Put up a couple suet feeders and enjoy all the birds that like those. You can hang them from the bottom of your tubes.

Once birds start feeding they will draw more birds.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

Get something with a flat bottom, cardinals don't like (but will try) to feed from tube feeders. Stay with 100% striped or better black oil sunflower seeds. Cardinals like safflower seeds (white). Put up a couple suet feeders and enjoy all the birds that like those. You can hang them from the bottom of your tubes.

Once birds start feeding they will draw more birds.

I have a similar setup on the other side of the bay window that holds suet. Haven't seen a single bird land on it and doesn't look like a scrap of suet has been eaten.

I may go to Job Lot and grab something like this:

hang it where the suet bag is now and hang the suet bag below.

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

I've had the feeders up for almost two weeks now. For the past week, I've only had the same two birds show up every day. Haven't seen a single one of their avian friends. What's the deal?

Gay Democratic goldfinches

[PRBuzz]

Real suet (beef fat trimmed from a steak strip) went into 2 holders tonight. I'll let JD know when/what birds find it.

[PRBuzz]

Feeders, all single tube type are now up. Went to The Tractor Store and got the seed/suet last night. Great variety offered, pickup up individual bags of black oil, safflower, and sunflower hearts. Must have 6-8 different types of suet for $0.99 each. Have 4 suet block hanging.

[basswipe]

These past few days have been very busy around the feeders for sure.
All the usual suspects for this time of year.

[PRBuzz]

Air traffic controller needed: the flock has found the feeders within an hr!

Chickadees, house finches, titmice (titmouses?), wrens, sparrows, and 3 squirrels. Off to buy some cracked corn for those 4 legged rat, bas**rds with furry tails.

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

Air traffic controller needed: the flock has found the feeders within an hr!

Chickadees, house finches, titmice (titmouse?), sparrows, and 3 squirrels. Off to buy some cracked corn for those 4 legged rat, bas**rds with furry tails.

I go through way to much cracked corn.One thing I've started doing is placing my feeders away from anything that the rats can jump from and heavily grease the sheaperds hooks that I hang my feeders on.Its pretty damn comical to watch one jump up onto the pole and then slide down.The only drawback is that you have to regrease every few days so I just started using generic brand vaseline to save a few bucks.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

Air traffic controller needed: the flock has found the feeders within an hr!

Chickadees, house finches, titmice (titmouses?), wrens, sparrows, and 3 squirrels.

Off to buy some cracked corn for those 4 legged rat, bas**rds with furry tails.

not me.... i just YELL SQUIRREL!!
and unleash the HOUND on -em

that's her JOB

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by Raven

not me.... i just YELL SQUIRREL!!
and unleash the HOUND on -em

that's her JOB

Keeps the old guy in shape and the little one never gets tired of tryin.

[PRBuzz]

Day 2: add junkos, doves, and yes cardinals! I have 2 or 3 pairs of cardinals in the area year round.

JD: still no birds? You have seen cardinals around your condo, right? Try this: scatter seeds on the ground below. Even try to put out a water source. Once the birds are attracted to the area, they should look up and find your feeders. Gradually stop to the spreading of ground seed and the birds should be hooked on your feeders. Good luck.

[Raven]

i grab christmas trees
after christmas sometimes b4 on (last day)
or when they are free....

and i place them in a half circle
out in the snow as an instant habitat
then i salt the trees with seed
hang red onion bags of suet

a couple of those seed bells
and throw seed all over place
and in front of the trees

the birds have a freiken PARTY !!!

[Raven]

when i lived out west i paid particular attention
to the behavior of ants

if they were running around frantically
it was gonna rain sure as sh!t


yesterday i noticed the JUNCO's (acting different)
all spread out on the lawn (mathematically)

they were behaving like the ants.....
knowing the snow was coming

they were acting as if in unison
"all knowing" simultaneously

now every time is see that
i know what it means

[ProfessorM]

literally a 1000 birds a day easy at my 3 feeders last couple weeks. Going thru seed like crazy. . Our 3 outdoor cats have lost interest there are so many birds. Tons of Blue Jays this year and have been absent the last several years. Seem to be hanging around the Japanese Snowbell tree i have as there are tons of fruits on the ground. I have lots of fruited shrubs loaded which are drawing birds too. I also think the flying squirrels have made an appearance too as I think I spotted one th other nite late. Cats are keeping the squirrels away it seems.

[O.D. Mike]

So,
today I'm outside working on the driveway and I look up and see a laughing gull (black headed seagull) that the right defination? Never seen one of those inshore before...

[Raven]

birds are eating quite frantically...

as i trim fat off the roasted holiday ham for meals

i place it outside.....for them

i had cooked some bacon the other day

and i had a small amount of liquid bacon grease
in the black iron pan..... to dispose of... ok

so i took a quart of black sunflower seed
and swirled it around in the pan... to soak it all up
then carried the whole works out to a feeding platform
the blue jays loved it as they eat the whole seed
without shelling them.... every seed was gone that day

they have been congregating on top of my PINK (coarse)
sand pile eating small stones for their gizzard- grinder too

[Raven]

well i don't mind feeding them some seed
but when they come in a flock of 30 +
and then attract the starlings -> i get pissed

and they drive off all the other smaller birds
then......... i have to take stronger measures

so i grabbed some unused at the moment
freezer baskets and caged them bastids out

they can find greener pastures elsewhere- LOL

F U

[PRBuzz]

Raven: Great idea! Also functions as a squirrel guard.

[ProfessorM]

looks like a carolina wren in there.

[Raven]

my lil Buddy....

blue jays can eat off the ground, he's lovin the privacy

[ProfessorM]

my fav. call and bird. Loud little sucker

[striperman36]

I have to go get more seed. the birds have eaten me out again.

Gonna head to TSC.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by striperman36

I have to go get more seed. the birds have eaten me out again.

Gonna head to TSC.

BJ'S wholesale sells 40 lb bags Black sunflower for $18 and change

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by Raven

BJ'S wholesale sells 40 lb bags Black sunflower for $18 and change

I'll check out TSC and if need be, go over to BJ's right next door.

TSC is cool though.

What I am looking for though is a heated outdoor waterbowl for the dogs, the darn this freezes all the time.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

my fav. call and bird. Loud little sucker

i was quite surprised Paul

i hung a cedar bird house in the blue spruce

it looked like it was turned on a lathe too

very next day the wren moves in SINGing up a storm
i was real pleased

soon afterwards, a damn chipmunk evicted him
and moved in..... man i hate those lil bastids

[JohnnyD]

Hanging out in Truro for the holiday. Had some time to kill yesterday so headed to Mid-Cape Home Center, grabbed some Cedar and built one of these last night as an alternative to the tube feeders...




Just need to head to Lowes and get a piece of plexiglass. Hopefully the birdies like it.

[PRBuzz]

Nice. Build a wide gaged wire covering like Raven to permit only desired birds.

If you got more time to kill....I'd like one, too.

[striperman36]

Nice work Mr D!

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

Nice. Build a wide gaged wire covering like Raven to permit only desired birds.

If you got more time to kill....I'd like one, too.

I'm gonna put it up and see what happens. Sorry Phil, off-Cape now and back to work tomorrow.

Originally Posted by striperman36

Nice work Mr D!

Thanks!