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Has Achieved Nirvana |
I want to get a bird feeder. I'm not sure what kind or where to put it. If I hang it from the house I'm going to get bird poop all over the patio. (Been there) If I put it on a pole in a planter I am going to get a fine crop of millet and such. (Been there too) I really don't want a squirrel feeder. Any suggestions?
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Has Achieved Nirvana |
Funny you posted this; I was just going to post about avian flu. Around here we're being told to put away feeders and bird baths. Avian flu running rampant; two hundred birds were found dead in a nearby lake. https://www.nbcchicago.com/new...der-warning/2813690/ Meanwhile, back to your original question...you can do what I did....got rid of all the bird feeders because of the problems you mentioned plus concerns about bird diseases (not avian flu) that can sicken dogs.  I've been hanging flowering baskets on the 4x4 post with four hooks that I used to hang feeders from. People wonder why I have a raccoon baffle on the post... Before that, I had the post in the middle of a circle about six feet in diameter, in the middle of the yard where the squirrels couldn't dive bomb it from the tree. I put a ring of those concrete stones you use to build fire pits around the area. Seeds dropped down and I just turned over the soil periodically when weeds came up. I normally keep bird baths, though, and I get a lot of visitors. But I'm also in a neighborhood with a lot of 60 year old trees, so we're prime real estate for them. The neighbors feed the birds and deal with the mess. Win-win.
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Beatification Candidate |
One option might be to conider using "no melt" suet. There are hanging options that are good at keeping out the critters. I would buy a peanut suet that didn't have whole seeds inside. It still drops a residue, but nothing will sprout!
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| Has Achieved Nirvana |
My neighbor uses that suet. Anything that falls on the ground gets eaten by their dog.
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Minor Deity |
Have a bunch, but our favorite is a clear plastic tray that attaches to outside of window with suction cups. Offers great close view of birds. Jf
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| Pinta & the Santa Maria Has Achieved Nirvana  |
I'm a fan of "Squirrel Buster" feeders. They're spendy but super heavy and durable. They have a mechanism that closes the seed slots if a squirrel (or heavier bird) lands on the perch. For extra added protection I also attach them via an angled pole which you can swing out and over empty space. In my case, I have the pole attached to the top rail of our deck, and then it swings out into the open space below the deck.  Also you need to consider where the feeder will be relative to other stuff that a squirrel could launch from, like a nearby tree, roofline, or practically anything. They're total acrobats. If there's a backyard bird shop type store in your area, it might be worth a visit to see what types of birds you might be able to attract where you are--which might also influence the type of seed/suet, etc. you end up going with. | |||
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Has Achieved Nirvana |
get one that just feeds sunflower seeds. That stupid mix is usually half crap seed that the birds don’t want to eat. So all I feed are sunflower seeds. Get a tiny thistle seed feeder for the little guys. I have a flat feeder too - that I just put sunflower seeds in. (Honestly, you could just do a flat feeder and a thistle feeder) I get a nice crop of sunflowers growing in the bark that is under the tree the feeder is in - which is pretty cool.
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JodiHas Achieved Nirvana |
The number of birds in the area is much lower. Have not seen the chickadees, juncos or other little birds and there was one raven where there were several before. Hopefully the ospreys that have a nest on a tall pole will be back. Bird flu or what??
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Minor Deity |
Same here. We use thistle, but in a finch sock. They seem to like it better and you can just throw them away. The best bird feeder we have found to date, after several experiments, is this one. The birds love it, it contains a lot of seed and keeps it dry. Easy to fill. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/pr...n_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 For a pole, we use one from Wild Birds Unlimited with a raccoon baffle that also works for squirrels. Pricey but very effective. I recommend the four prong base. We have a red cardinal finial. https://order.wbu.com/shop/pol...s/aps-hanging-system For one feeder shepherd hooks, we use slinkies for squirrel proofing. Cheap and hilarious. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/pr...03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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| Minor Deity |
We got an Oriole this morning! Beautiful. We started putting out the orange feeder with oranges and grape jelly last year and we finally got one!!!! Had you told me 45 years ago that this would excite me I'd have laughed at you.
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| Has Achieved Nirvana |
Sometimes the birds are the highlight of my day. 
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| Minor Deity |
Just got our first Rose Breasted Grosbeak of the year. They are heading up to Steve's house. 
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| Minor Deity |
Now we have a cardinal, a grosbeak and a house finch on the feeder - three red birds at once.
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| Has Achieved Nirvana |
That's so cool! I've seen an oriole once or twice here when it was on it's way to somewhere. No grosbeaks. I have all the bird baths turned over so there's no water in them. All my bird friends look pretty bummed. My neighbor saw a couple of mallards under some bushes in her yard. We often have a mama build her nest around here, and then march the babies towards the cemetery that's half a block from my house. It's another few blocks to the lake that's at the south end of the cemetery. I've escorted them more than once, directing traffic and even lifting a section of chain link fence so they can get under it to get to the safety of the cemetery. Hummingbirds should be here soon. I was reading up and it might be ok to put up a feeder for them if I'm really careful.
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| Has Achieved Nirvana |
Heard a call that was unfamiliar and glanced up to see a flash of orange fly away! I ran inside and sliced an orange in half and put it out. Let's see if I can entice it back!!! edit: Mark took pics of one at his feeder exactly two years ago today... http://well-temperedforum.grou...853993497#1853993497
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