Show me your feeders!

I can't find that exact one right now Becky, I'll have to get back to you because I have to go out. Maybe Fleurs would know. Mine came in 3 pieces, the auger (am I saying that right?) that srews into the ground, the pole, the baffle and the shepheards hooks (okay 4 pieces). It was a bit pricey but well worth it.

I have a single shepherd hook with a feeder. The pole's only about 6' high and was no challenge for the squirrels. Couldn't find a ready-made baffle that would fit, so I came up with this temporary solution. Took a plastic nursery pot and sliced it down one side, put in on the pole and held it up with a little duct tape and a couple of wood chips underneath. Now, it doesn't look very nice, but if you found a nicer, prettier plastic pot....?
Bottom line, squirrels totally "baffled". :)

Deb

This morning's visitors...
Deb

Oh my gosh, Deb! What a great idea! I was looking at the baffle prices online and whoa! are they ever expensive! I might just try your idea for starters until I decide what kind of commitment I am willing to make to our feathered friends. I'm not sure how many feeders I want to add to my yard. Is "one" not enough?

Becky: One is a 'good start'! :) I think most of us will say that one is never enough. Since diff birds like diff types of seed and some are perchers and some aren't. So I have a couple of tube feeders, a flat feeder, a suet feeder, and a thistle feeder! (and I want to add more... ;-> )
Deb

LOL! I was afraid that might be the consensus! LOL!

Is there any particular seed mix that attracts a lot of different birds. I have scrub jays, cardinals, woodpeckers, and have been told that we have a pair of Painted Buntings that live in the vacant lots on my street and feed at the neighbor's feeders.

This message was edited Jan 2, 2007 12:05 PM

Someone else may know more about what the buntings like. I'd like to know that myself, as I've only ever seen one at my feeder and would love to see more! I do know that most birds seem to like sunflower seeds. That's almost a universal one.
Deb

Gardenpom will know that answer. I know she has whats called a No Waste mix that they really like. I think it consists of just hearts of sunflower, peanuts etc. ( very small pieces).

DebinSC,
I just called my friend at the bird center to ask for you. She said White Proso Millet is favorite of the Buntings... And of course Sunflower seeds, as you already mentioned.
Might give it a try...

Deb♥

Becky, there are other stores I'm sure, but we like Wild Birds Unlimited. They have franchises all over the country. If you go to their website, they have a listing of all their locations in your area. The pole system we have does come in parts so you can customize it. It stands on a circular base that's not big enough to prevent it from being knocked over by raccoons, etc. so we weight it with large stones or heavy potted plants. It's not cheap, but they last a long time. I'll vouch for that. Mine was knocked off the 2nd floor balcony several times and, other than a little bent, it's fine.

http://www.wbu.com/index.htm

Debra

fleursdefouquet - The Advanced Pole System is very nice! I saw online where a store in Florida is selling the basic pole kit for about $60. But it doesn't include the baffle in the price. It does look like a very good pole setup for my yard. I have feeders already. I just need a squirrel-proof pole/baffle setup. I emailed the store to see if they ship items. We'll see. There are no retailer dealers/stores within 250 miles of me that sell this set-up. :-(

Thanks for the suggestion. It does look like a very good one! :-)

This willow bird feeder was my retirement gift. It sits in the middle of the flower bed all summer - sometimes I plant morning glories at the base and they wind their way up to the top - and in the winter I move it to the back patio just outside my kitchen window so I can sit in my old rocker and watch the birds.Nothing special about the seed in it and Im sure the squirrels climb up for a fair bit too but I notice even the blue jays get in there sometimes. Mostly it is sparrows and chickadees.

Fancy, Thats so pretty!

fancy, I like that a lot! Was it purchased or did someone make it for you? I'd like something like that in my courtyard garden. Very pretty garden, too!
Debra

debnes:
Thanks! I started really 'watching' our birds about 10 years ago, at which time I marked the painted bunting in my bird guide because I wanted to see one. I was surprised we had such brightly multi-colored birds here. I didn't see one until last year. He stayed for about 30 seconds and this was the best picture I could get! It's fuzzy but I'm not deleting it! It's the only proof I have! LOL
I'll try that seed tho, and maybe I'll get another chance at a sighting.
Deb

Debra it was purchased. Usually lots of things like that locally in the spring. Now I want 2 willow chairs to match!

Deb, Thats a fine photo, but I know what you mean. Not long ago I had a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker in my yard on the back side of a tree trunk. I have a VERY blurry partial shot of him. I'm glad I never deleted it because I've haven't seen him since then.

Oh, yes! Chairs to match! That would make such a nice set.

Love that bunting Debin...actually a really good picture!!

Thx for showing it!

My friend also said that if you live in the burbs, or in town, you will see less of the Bunting that if you lived out in the country.

Deb

Pelletory and Debnes: Ahh well...We live in hope!
=)

What a great thread! I REALLY need to get out and wash my windows while its still kind of warm here so I can get sme better feeder pictures lol! We stopped in a Wild Birds Unlimited while we were visiting relatives up north. Boy, I sure wish we had one closer than an hour and a half away. I just love them! I got one of those advanced system poles with a baffles for a new bluebird house. Now I wish I had gotten two. I have also seen a pole system at our local tractor supply sotre but I didn't like it as much and it was more expensive.

fancyvan - Love your birdfeeder and garden. Must be a real pleasure to sit out there and enjoy it all! :-)

Both Debs - I just love the colors of the Painted Bunting. I hope that I get to see one once I get my feeder up! I'd love to get a photo of one!

That pole and baffle system, is working for me 100%. One caviaet to that is, you MUST keep it where the can't jump on it it either. I have been able to now afford to feed good bird food ( the tree rats will go thru a 25$ bag in a couple days), and I get such pleasure with all the different birds. I was also able to get the fly-thru feeders with the screen bottom. The birds of all sizes love those. Could never have those with the squirrels. Today I saw a cardinal fly from the feederm got down and just snapped an azelea off the bush....took it over and ate about half of it. Never had seen that before.

LOL! Maybe that Cardinal is like me, just have to have something sweet after a meal!!

Hey I haven't looked on Drs. Foster and Smith for bird items before, I usually get my Koi food and netting from them. So I went out just now and found they have some really good prices for the wild bird feeders and squirrel baffles. Take a look at the baffle for $12.99!! http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9136&rel=1
Click on wild birds on their home page and you can see all the neat feeders they offer. After work today, I may need to send an order. From what you guys have shown me, I need to update a lot of my items for the wild birds.

That is a good price! They run some very good specials on things from time to time also.

gardenglory - Thanks! I was thinking about how easily the squirrels jump from place to place. I also get raccoons. So I am looking at a couple of options. Not sure yet what I want to do. I have a post (for a climbing vine that I will be moving to a large container pot) that is in the perfect location. I am considering adding a baffle to the 4" X 4" post. I found one that will fit a post, but it is also expensive. (Though not quite as expensive as the APS system. My main concern is high winds (in case of a hurricane), The post is in the ground in concrete. Which might be a better option for me.

How high off the ground is the best for height for feeders?

My post is only about 6 ft. high. (See photo.)

Thats a good height.

Becky, that posts looks like a great place for a feeder. Good luck. Be sure to show us the finished project!
Debra

Sheila, hadn't thought of Foster/Smith for birds, either. Will definitely check out the link. Darn - we just ordered a dog bed from there Monday. Wish I'd checked the birds before ordering!

Debra

Pell - Here's a website for the post baffle. What do you think? Would it work? There is free shipping if your order is over $75 at BestNest. They have the no waste seed, too! Can you see my mind clicking! lol

This is a website that lists post baffles for sale by various online retailers:

http://www.answers.com/topic/squirrel-baffle-4x4-post

Which do you think would work the best?

This message was edited Jan 3, 2007 8:50 AM

I think someone else would be better answering about that type of baffle since I've never used it. I think my whole setup was around $65-75

Pell and anyone else able to answer this question ...

Do you think the long tube style baffle system would work better? Don't you have something similiar? They actually make one for a post and the price is cheaper than most of the other flare out baffles. (I don't much like the looks of those anyway.)

This website selling the long tube baffle says, "Description: Cylindrical raccoon baffle made of galvanized steel sheet with collar for 4inch X 4inch wooden posts." Being 28" long, I don't imagine a squirrel or a raccoon could climb up it? What is your baffle made out of? I'm real tempted to buy that one. Just because it would be easier to get to the feeder instead of something that is sticking out 19-22 inches below the feeder.

Comments and opinions, please.

Becky, we started with the tube style baffle and it did keep the squirrels out, but not raccoons. There were constantly little muddy raccoon prints on it and empty feeders (knocked to the ground by the way). We added the shield above it and it works great as long as it's not close enough to a branch for them to jump. I don't know how the flared shield would work alone. Maybe someone else has experience there. Good luck!
Debra

Thanks, Debra! I guess the raccoons could have a long reach? Their arms are certainly longer than that of a small squirrel. There is NOTHING near my 4 X 4 post. So there is nothing for them to jump from to the post. Hmmmmm.... except my lawn furniture! lol I guess I'll have to move the furniture further away from the post. How far is their jumping range? Anyone know?

All this to put a feeder in my yard. LOL!

How far is their jumping range? It depends on how expensive your seed is. LOL!!!

ROFLMBO! Now THAT was funny! Thanks for making me almost fall outta my chair with laughter, fleursdefouquet!

Glad to be of service....

Hi Becky, I just came from the Bird Sore (bad me) and talked to him about your situation. He showed me baffles he had for squirrels/racoons for your style post. They did not seem expensive but I have no idea about shipping. He said you could contact him with any question through his site.
http://www.awildbirdoasis.com/index.asp

Pell - Thank you so very much for asking at your local bird store for me. I will definitely contact him.

No problem Becky. He's a very nice knowledgeble (sp?) man. His town has loads of racoons so he would definitely know what works best.