CLOSED: Question about feeder

I realize this isn't the right board to ask this question (no bird ID needed), but there doesn't seem to be a general bird forum to ask questions.

We have a Squirrel Buster feeder near a suet cake, where we enjoy many varieties of birds, every season. I especially love the woodpeckers and many songbirds.

Last weekend, I noticed that the volume of the seed wasn't going down. The birds had been voracious eaters in the spring, and my husband had last filled the feeder to the brim.

I assumed the birds were eating suet instead, and a recent influx of gluttonous blue jays had distracted me from what might be happening at the seed feeder. A couple days later it occurred to me that some of our visitors do not eat suet. When I examined the feeder, I saw that it was completely clogged at the little seed outlet portals. We just had a month where it rained every day, and it appeared that the seed at the bottom had become moldy.

I tossed the seed into the woods (happy chipmunks!), dug out the moldy stuff with a plastic knife, thoroughly washed and dried the feeder, and filled it only a quarter with new seed. I thought they birds would be watching me from the trees and divebomb the feeder as soon as I'd walked away.

Two days later: No. More. Songbirds.

Does anyone with bird experience know how long it will take before the the word gets around that food is available again? I really miss the goldfinches.

Hi peony, I have 2 Squirrel Buster feeders also. I've learned you can't put too large a size of nut or seed in this feeder as it can become jammed right in the area where it empties into the portal. No other seeds will be able to come through once that happens so it needs to be checked often.

Also when filling it only pour in only 2 cups at a time because if you pour the food in too fast it will also clog it. I pour in approximately 2 cups then stop for a few seconds then pour in the next 2 cups (repeating until it is filled).

Very small seeds like nyjer or millet should also not be used in the feeder.

The last 2 days I've noticed our Red-bellied Woodpeckers haven't been coming around and the food is not being eaten that much. It could be a number of things including the heat but we have had problems with Coopers Hawks barreling in taking the birds so that is probably the reason why.

Another thing to consider is if your bird food is fresh. Bird seed becomes stale after 6 months and they will not enjoy it after that time.

Hope this helps.

Next time you have a bird related or feeder question the Bird Watching forum would be the best place to ask. Here is the link.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/birdwatching/all/

Good Luck, Pelle

Thank you, Pelle.

Wow, I have been using the same Squirell Buster for 5 years and never considered the rate at which I poured the seed in or what blend I used! I'll certainly be more careful going forward.

I pour it in with a plastic scoop that holds about one cup. But I will go outside and check it now, depress the landing strip and make sure seed is available. Maybe it's time for a new feeder.

We buy the Wild Birds Unlimited "No Mess" seed, and I never had a clog until just recently, after a month where it rained literally every day. We buy only one bag at a time, so I assume it's fresh. I'll sprinkle some on the ground to see if the Cardinals and Mourning Doves will eat it.

We usually wash the feeder twice a year (spring and fall), and there has never been a problem until this past week. When I took it inside, after dumping the seed in the woods, I could immediately tell that the problem wasn't from a seed/nut clog, but moldy seed. YUCK!

Hi Peony, Bird feeders should be cleaned every 3-4 weeks. WBU has a fine reputation and the Squirrel Buster is one of the finest feeders around. When there is a lot of rain you will want to check the portals more often because of birds eating seed inside it and leaving tiny pieces then when there is moisture from rain all those little pieces clog together in the portal. This would go for any feeder. The Squirrel Buster is my favorite feeder.

Is your's the original or the Squirrel Buster Plus?

Cleaned every 3-4 weeks! What a bad bird guardian I have been.

I am not sure if mine is the original, as it was a gift. The assembly paperwork that I saved call it the BROME Squirrel Buster Plus.

Then it is the SB Plus, same as mine.

I love it. Not only does it really keep the squirrels off, it also keeps the blue jays and grackles away, which is probably why they have been devouring my suet.

In other good news, the bird word got out, and we have eaters at the feeder. :)

By the way, I just noticed your location. I lived in Haddonfield and then Margate for a few years (worked in Mt. Laurel). I LOVE that part of NJ and miss everything about it but the heat!

Wow you were close to here!

Yes I love it here but it is getting very congested, the heat is bad but I could not take a colder winter. :-)

Glad to hear your birds are back; I just saw 2 of our Red-bellied Woodpeckers again.

Be sure to join us in the Bird Watching forum when you can.

I left NJ in 1993. You know what I miss? Driving! You may thing I am nuts (Garden State Parkway, hee hee), but my daily commute was on easy 295; I didn't even mind the Black and White Horse Pikes. Coming from Boston -- a city built for horses, not cars -- I was thrilled at how quickly I was able to get around when I first moved there.

I will be sure to check out the Bird Watching forum. Thank you for all your help!