CLOSED: After 5 years birds abandoned my feeder!

Sometimes it takes me a day or two to notice that birds aren't coming around, which means the seed has become compacted. I promptly dump the seed, dig out the gook, run my Brome Squirrel Buster through the dishwasher (no soap), dry fully in the run, refill, and the birds *always* come back within 2 days. Max.

This time they have not come back after three full days (going on day 4). I saw ONE downy woodpecker at the feeder yesterday, but I think he was confused, as they generally eat suet only if given a choice.

I inspected the seed this morning and it appears to be flowing freely when I poke a finger in. Nice and dry. (We use Wild Birds Unlimited 'No Mess' blend.)

Does anyone think I did something wrong? Is it time for a new feeder? Did the dishwasher leave an unacceptable stink on the feeder, even though I used no soap?

I am feeling very sad. I can't begin to express how much I love seeing that feeder under constant assault from downies and hairies and red-bellied woopeckers, as well as cardinals, chickadees, nut hatches, goldfinches, sparrows, wrens, blue jays, grackles, house finches, etc.

Not even the mourning doves, chipmunks or squirrels are eating the seed I dumped out of the feeder early Friday morning. There's nothing wrong with that seed — or there wasn't when I dumped it in order to get to the caked-up — which I cased from watering my gardens with a sprinkler a couple days before that.

Does anyone have any advice?

Hi Peony.

I'd say have some more patience and see if the birds are eating seed on the ground in a while.


You also might find more responses if you post over on the Bird Watching forum, as this is the Identification forum.

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

Thanks. I hope it's OK to double post. :P

ha. no problem I'm sure.