Feeding Birds
Forum Archives
sparklemama
Location: Western Washington
Posted: Apr-21-2005 at 9:21am
My yard has lots of birds in it so i decided in additon to the two birdbaths and few houses i had i wanted to hang some bird feeders up. where are the best places to hang them? I have one up now but it has not been visited and has been up for 2 weeks. Am i supposed to put out certain food for specific birds? i have no clue what kind of birds are already visiting but will watch them closely and try to identify them. Do the birds mind if the feeders are handing in front of a sliding door or windows? not sure if people going in and out would bother them or not. thanks for your help guys, this is a new area for me.
KellieD
Location: Oregon, Northern Coast
Posted: Apr-21-2005 at 6:18pm
I've had the best luck putting the feeders in close proximity to shrubbery so the birds can check it out safely before they fly to it. There are all kinds of bird seed mixes available. I stopped feeding black sunflower when I realized the squirrels were planting them for me all over the yard, stopped feeding mixes with millet when I saw rats feeding on the seed spilled on the ground that the birds wouldn't eat. I fed a no-waste mix of peanut hearts, thistle, sunflower chips and cracked corn until I moved here and couldn't get it locally. I now feed a blend of sunflower chips and chick scratch that I mix myself. Both the no waste and my blend are loved by the birds and I never have any sitting on the ground.
KellieD
Location: Oregon, Northern Coast
Posted: Apr-21-2005 at 6:21pm
Ooops. Forgot to tell you who has been visiting. Redwing blackbirds, American goldfinch, Oregon junco, black capped chickadee, chestnut back chickadee, pine siskin, purple finch, Northern Flicker, Stellar's Jay, Towhee, gold crown sparrow, white crowned sparrow and lots of LBB's!
sparklemama
Location: Western Washington
Posted: Apr-22-2005 at 9:12am
I should have said that I have lots of birds playing in my yard, not staying. I have a plain two sided bird house on the side wall of the house. both sides were full last year, but this year noone has moved in. They just seem to play here in the early morning and at dusk. I have two cats and a dog and kids, so mabey its to busy over here for them? I have a feeling this question seems silly but i really am clueless about what the birds like best.
oh yeah the mix i am using is Wild bird feed mix. It contains Milo, White proso millets, wheat, sunflower, calcium carbonate. Also i have seen the suet(spelling?) cakes at the store, are those any good?
KellieD
Location: Oregon, Northern Coast
Posted: Apr-22-2005 at 8:58pm
The birds really like suet, especially in the winter. When I put up a new feeder it usually takes them a couple of weeks to get comfortable with it. One bird will find it and start coming around, then you'll get a couple more, then a few more, and before you know it word is out and lots of birds will be coming. Don't give up hope!
sparklemama
Location: Western Washington
Posted: Apr-25-2005 at 7:00pm
I have finally saw a brave little guy on there this morning. He had a red head and black chest. As soon as he saw me watching him though he took off, but I am sure there will more visiting. :) thanks a lot!
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