Need help with bird feeder.
Jan 23, 2014 11:16:56 #
I have placed two bird feeders off my porch. One has thistle seed and the other a mix for winter birds. I put them up at least 5 weeks ago and not one bird has approached the feeders. I saw two cardinals in my lilac bush looking at it 1 week ago but neither tried the seed.
Could the seed be contaminated. Bought it fro a very reputable place but this is very confusing as to why they will not use it.
Could the seed be contaminated. Bought it fro a very reputable place but this is very confusing as to why they will not use it.
Jan 23, 2014 11:47:07 #
tk wrote:
I have placed two bird feeders off my porch. One has thistle seed and the other a mix for winter birds. I put them up at least 5 weeks ago and not one bird has approached the feeders. I saw two cardinals in my lilac bush looking at it 1 week ago but neither tried the seed.
Could the seed be contaminated. Bought it fro a very reputable place but this is very confusing as to why they will not use it.
Could the seed be contaminated. Bought it fro a very reputable place but this is very confusing as to why they will not use it.
Try putting the feeder near the lilac bush, birds seldom fly straight to a feeder, especialy a new one. They will often use an incomming 'flight path' to a nearby area of semi cover before venturing onto a feeder. You can move the feeders back towards the house once the birds have become used to them. The area of semi cover also makes a better photographic back drop than a hanging mesh feeder.
Jan 23, 2014 12:31:37 #
Spindrift62 wrote:
Try putting the feeder near the lilac bush, birds seldom fly straight to a feeder, especialy a new one. They will often use an incomming 'flight path' to a nearby area of semi cover before venturing onto a feeder. You can move the feeders back towards the house once the birds have become used to them. The area of semi cover also makes a better photographic back drop than a hanging mesh feeder.
Pretty frozen ground here right now but I may have a spot closer to the lilac. Thanks. I'm worried the seed may have been contaminated from mice in the storage barn of the store I bought it from.
Jan 23, 2014 13:21:37 #
tk wrote:
I have placed two bird feeders off my porch. One has thistle seed and the other a mix for winter birds. I put them up at least 5 weeks ago and not one bird has approached the feeders. I saw two cardinals in my lilac bush looking at it 1 week ago but neither tried the seed.
Could the seed be contaminated. Bought it fro a very reputable place but this is very confusing as to why they will not use it.
Could the seed be contaminated. Bought it fro a very reputable place but this is very confusing as to why they will not use it.
tk, Cardinals will not be interested in your Thistle birdfeed. Thistle will draw American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins and possible Common Redpolls, but if your wild bird seed contains Sunflower seed, Cardinals will be interested in that. Spread some wild bird seed on the ground under the feeder, this will also draw Dark-eyed Juncos, Doves and Sparrows of all types. :-D
Jan 23, 2014 16:53:40 #
A. J. wrote:
tk, Cardinals will not be interested in your Thistle birdfeed. Thistle will draw American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins and possible Common Redpolls, but if your wild bird seed contains Sunflower seed, Cardinals will be interested in that. Spread some wild bird seed on the ground under the feeder, this will also draw Dark-eyed Juncos, Doves and Sparrows of all types. :-D
Lots of snow my way but there is a patch I can clear and toss some there. Thank you!
Jan 24, 2014 05:58:42 #
Jan 24, 2014 09:03:40 #
Jan 24, 2014 12:41:26 #
Black oil sunflower seeds will attract Cardinals, Finch, Chickadees, and an unfortunate array of Sparrows, Black Birds, oh and don't forget Squirrels. Suggest you get a Hilarious Bird Feeder. You can set the perch to exact weight of the Cardinals and that will allow Finch and smaller birds to feed and keep the unwanted birds and squirrels from feeding.
Jan 24, 2014 12:42:53 #
tk wrote:
Lots of snow my way but there is a patch I can clear and toss some there. Thank you!
You don't have to clear the snow. They will take it from on top of the snow and once the birds start to use the feeders you won't have to spread any on the ground, enough will fall from the feeders during feeding.
Jan 24, 2014 13:17:57 #
hamtrack wrote:
Black oil sunflower seeds will attract Cardinals, Finch, Chickadees, and an unfortunate array of Sparrows, Black Birds, oh and don't forget Squirrels. Suggest you get a Hilarious Bird Feeder. You can set the perch to exact weight of the Cardinals and that will allow Finch and smaller birds to feed and keep the unwanted birds and squirrels from feeding.
I do have black oil sunflower seed but no one was coming. I have bought a different brand from a place that caters to bird people and am trying this new seed. I feel that the previous seed I bought from a garden store may have been contaminated from mice droppings and I've heard the birds will not go near it. I've thrown out the old and tried the new today. I spread some on the ground and will wait. Thank you all!
Jan 24, 2014 14:37:54 #
Wash and wax your car.The birds will eat the seed like crazy and crap all over your car.never fails.lol
Jan 24, 2014 14:40:15 #
pbearperry wrote:
Wash and wax your car.The birds will eat the seed like crazy and crap all over your car.never fails.lol
:thumbup: 'Cept it's 19 degrees with a nasty windchill!
Jan 24, 2014 14:55:51 #
tk wrote:
:thumbup: 'Cept it's 19 degrees with a nasty windchill!
I woke up this morning in sunny Massachusetts and it was 3 degrees.lol
Jan 24, 2014 15:34:33 #
pbearperry wrote:
I woke up this morning in sunny Massachusetts and it was 3 degrees.lol
Can't believe the winter we are having! Only thing that helps with the cold is that it last about 36 hours and we get up to 20 or 30 for a short break before heading down again.
Stay warm!
Jan 24, 2014 23:14:30 #
tk wrote:
I have placed two bird feeders off my porch. One has thistle seed and the other a mix for winter birds. I put them up at least 5 weeks ago and not one bird has approached the feeders. I saw two cardinals in my lilac bush looking at it 1 week ago but neither tried the seed.
Could the seed be contaminated. Bought it fro a very reputable place but this is very confusing as to why they will not use it.
Could the seed be contaminated. Bought it fro a very reputable place but this is very confusing as to why they will not use it.
I added two more large bird feeders in my back yard this winter
for a total of four.
There was a very large turn out of birds for about ten days...then no birds for over a week. I suspected larger predator hawk was in the area and finally spotted him/her catching a dove. After several days the birds returned and then a few days later...no birds....the hawk is back. I hope the hawk likes Starlings........there are so many. Anyway, it has been running in cycles like this since November. Maybe you also have a hungry hawk.
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