Dont forget the birds

WheresMyBobber · 01-07-2004, 12:45 PM

We bought a bird bath defroster a few years ago and the birds are really enjoying having some water to drink today. We've got 6 Varied Thrushes camped out in our back yard in addition to all the other regular visitors. With not much else going on today, it's kind of cool to look out back and watch the constant activity!

Firedog · 01-07-2004, 02:07 PM

We have a Squirrel feeder on a big cedar tree in our front yard. The birds and Squirrel's have been having a hay day all week. My wife puts bread out for the birds also.

[ 01-07-2004, 03:09 PM: Message edited by: firedog ]

Gus Orviston · 01-07-2004, 05:35 PM

I fed the birds, now I am broke...whew them buggers can eat a lot. Lots and lots of them birds feeding over here. I had a laugh today when 4 varied thrushes were fighting and tried landing on the ice covered snow...I have never seen a bird fall down before...

I also wrapped my hummer feeder with bird bath mat to keep it from freezing.. I have a pair that is wintering over here, the hummers seem to like it.

Oh,, and the cat apparently got a bird,,I found feathers in the garage.

gus

ampersat · 01-07-2004, 07:43 PM

I put up a homemade bird feeder a while back only to find that it was perfectly constructed for a squirrel to attach itself to it and suck it dry.

So I tossed that one and bought one. So far I haven't seen a single bird on it. Not one. Maybe I need to move it to a more prominent area in the yard.

fishbait · 01-07-2004, 11:47 PM

With all the snow and ice, if you get a chance be sure to fill those feeders or just toss some oatmeal on the ground. The birds will reward you this spring.......

SturgeonKing50 · 01-07-2004, 11:56 PM

I live up at 700' of elevation and have around 10" of snow with Ice on top. I have been feeding the little guys all along. They are alot of fun to watch when you are stuck inside. I had around 200 birds on the feeder this morning. Had around 100 juncos and small finches, sparrows and some wrens. Have around 50 quail and several doves. Also the scrub and stellar jays. They really like to steal the cat food. Even had a crow show up this morning.They are all hungry and have it alot harder than we do. They are a pleasure to have here year around and keep us entertained when we cannot fish.

Gus Orviston · 01-08-2004, 12:36 PM

I find the type of feed has a lot to do with what you get... If you use the mixed bird food. you won't get many birds, most of the birds around my house won't eat millet and that is what the mix stuff is most of. Even if they do, the birds throw everything out they don't want and eat just one thing.

Soooo, I fill one feeder with sun flowers chips and one with black sunflowers, and another with Niger Thistle. The Niger Thistle is great for finches and it is an upside down feeder. The bird has to land and then flip upside down to get the Thistle out. It is a hoot to see 6-8 Finches on the feeder all upside down. I guess that is how they feed it the trees, but had never seen it unitl I got a feeder.

Then I also have two Suet feeders out for the Nuthatches 1) for upside feeders 2) one attached to the kitchen window - fun to get wood ******s at the sink.

I get all my food at Backyard Birdhouse and buy it in 2-50# bags! Gets spendy, at one time I was burning up 60$ a month in bird feed.

gus

PeterMac · 01-08-2004, 12:48 PM

Gus, I have at least three Hummingbirds wintering over. I would have to bring my feeder in several times a day and run it under hot water to thaw it out. I really am attached to those little buggers now. :smile: It is really fun to watch them bicker over the food [img]graemlins/icon_argue.gif[/img] , and they are really brave around me too. Sometimes they'd be at the food before I had a chance to hang it back up.

Good stuff....

PeterMac