Bird Feeders & Visiting Birds

[SummerRain]

I've heard (on countryfile, lol) that birds only use feeders when there is a lack of other food, and that they prefer to hunt their own food where they can. Perhaps now that it is summer the birds are starting to hunt on their own more? As there are berries/seeds/nuts around.

 

[Lord Snot]

I've heard (on countryfile, lol) that birds only use feeders when there is a lack of other food, and that they prefer to hunt their own food where they can. Perhaps now that it is summer the birds are starting to hunt on their own more? As there are berries/seeds/nuts around.

That makes sense. We've only had a garden and bird feeder since March, and when I did some research I read that they need it most in the cold months.

I'll keep putting stuff out and keeping the water feeder and bath clean and full. I like to watch them so much, I hope they still visit me sometimes

 

[Pickle Juice]

Wow I may have to put out another hummungbird feeder. There are five at the feeder now, and there are only four holes.

And they empty the feeder every two days now.

 

[KLS52]

My butterfly bush is starting to bloom. Last summer I had three hummingbirds visit...I hope they come back this summer! The hummingbird moths are cool too!

 

[Lord Snot]

Still no birds

 

[peewit]

The birds have deserted us

I forgot to buy dried fruit this week so I expected the starlings to storm off in a huff, but all the little birds have been absent too. The seed hasn't decreased in 4 days. Does anyone know why that could be?

There's lots of reasons that this could happen at this time of year. In better weather (if you've been luck enough to have any!)
it will be easier for birds to forage for natural food. If it's very wet, it will be harder for them to get insects etc, & they will also need more food
to keep warm, so come to feeders more. I generally get a lot more birds in the garden in winter, but have lots of chicks visiting at the moment.

Many adults moult at this time of year, & will keep a low profile, & "disappear".

As chicks become less dependent they may move on to find their own territories, & adults may chase them away,
hence less birds.

Also, at this time of year many birds will come to feeders at 5 0r 6AM, though, since your seed hasn't gone down
that's obviously not the reason.

 

[Lord Snot]

Thank you

They have been coming for the dried fruit, that's going down very fast, but still not the seed. I'm going to empty the seed feeder, wash it thoroughly, put some more in and see if it makes a difference.

 

[peewit]

I've got a birdtable, which is good, as the birds get some shelter whilst feeding when the weather's bad.
I put mixed seed on this & have two peanut feeders which are always popular.
I also have a nyjer seed feeder, which siskins, redpolls & goldfinches love. I'm hoping to replace this though
as I have serious ethical concerns about it, as it comes from Ethiopia. The more I read about it, the more confused I become!
Wanting to get a sunflower seed feeder to replace this.

It's lovely seeing all the birds in the garden & a great feeling, knowing that you're helping them.

 

[peewit]

Thank you

They have been coming for the dried fruit, that's going down very fast, but still not the seed. I'm going to empty the seed feeder, wash it thoroughly, put some more in and see if it makes a difference.

You're welcome

Sometimes no birds have come to my feeders for a while, then I've looked inside them & the seed is mouldy from rain

So, that could well be the reason, rather than my convoluted ideas!

 

[Pickle Juice]

Mama and Papa Quail just came by with a new batch of babies.

 

[Pickle Juice]

.

 

[Lord Snot]

You're welcome

Sometimes no birds have come to my feeders for a while, then I've looked inside them & the seed is mouldy from rain

So, that could well be the reason, rather than my convoluted ideas!

Ah how funny, I just came here to say I found out what was happening. Some rain must have gone in and some of the seeds were horribly mouldly. I had to use bleach to get the smell away. But no fear, I used diluted bleach and rinsed it thoroughly afterwards. The birds are now returning

 

[led.boots]

I can't have a bird feeder because of a neighbor panther (OK, black house cat) who stalks them. I have a million birds in my yard though, as there is lots for them to eat. Fruit trees, and lately some fruity looking stuff in a palm tree. These guys were eating grubs the other day..

 

[sallyomally]

I mix seed with peanut butter and smear it on the tree in the front yard, and more birdseed and sunflower seed on the ground around the tree. When it's gone in a few hours, I repeat the process. It's worked well and keeps the area clean. All I have to do is rake up a few sunflower seed casings about once per week. We have five squirrels, a billion sparrows, blue jays, doves,wood peckers, cardinals, mocking birds, and occasionally a lone robin. The family of crows that were here last summer finally came by yesterday with their fledglings. Love it when the sparrows stop in;they're so noisy and hyper it's like a wild party in the front yard!

 

[sallyomally]

I think the sparrows must have a facebook page. There are at least 50 of them in my yard!

 

[KLS52]

I think the sparrows must have a facebook page. There are at least 50 of them in my yard!

lol...awesome!

 

[sallyomally]

My Dad took my van into town to the speedy lube. I wish I had gone with him and taken my camera. The mechanic went to change the air filter and found a bird's nest in it, complete with eggshells. I figured birds nesting in air cleaners might be a common thing in rural areas, but the mechanic said he'd never seen anything like it. I can't believe the bird was willing to hatch those eggs and raise the babies in there while I was driving it around. That's just crazy!

Whoa! That is crazy! Maybe she enjoys traveling.

 

[AlmandineSky]

My Dad took my van into town to the speedy lube. I wish I had gone with him and taken my camera. The mechanic went to change the air filter and found a bird's nest in it, complete with eggshells. I figured birds nesting in air cleaners might be a common thing in rural areas, but the mechanic said he'd never seen anything like it. I can't believe the bird was willing to hatch those eggs and raise the babies in there while I was driving it around. That's just crazy!

I didn't know that was possible for them to do. Do they like just sit on the nest and ride around inside while your driving?

I put out a bird feeder and the birds finally found out. At first I had it really close to the house and for about two weeks nothing so my husband moved it to the middle of the yard and within three days little birds were visiting. They also go into the garden plants and eat bugs which makes me super happy because while I don't have many pests I do have a ton of spiders in the garden and I'm phobic so it makes hard for me to garden without getting an anxiety attack. But I know spiders are essential for keeping pests away so I just try and deal the best I can with them. I'm hoping the birds reduce their numbers some though because you seriously can't move a foot without running into a web or seeing a spider.

BUT now I'm having a problem with cats hanging around in the garden and under a bush near the bird feeder. The feeder is far enough away that the birds should have enough time to see the cat(s) but I'm still worried about it. Is there any way to deter the cats from lurking around the bird feeder and the garden? I don't even know if these cats belong to anyone, two of them I'm pretty sure do but the rest I've never seen before and they do run at the first sight or sound of me. When I see those cats all I have to do is open a window and they run. But the other two who are definitely not feral I have to go outside every time and shoo them off but then they often come right back a few minutes later. Any suggestions?

 

[led.boots]

I had to take in my bird feeder because of neighborhood cats. They can get the birds.

 

[sallyomally]

I had to take in my bird feeder because of neighborhood cats. They can get the birds.

I'm considering moving the food to a tree across the street that's in plain view as opposed to the one in our yard which is close to a bush where the cats could easily ambush the birdies.