Show Us Your Feeders Vol. 6

Hi Betty, I usually have a glass pie pan in it but took it out to clean it. I threw seeds on top of the dirt that was frozen in the planter. I put the pie pan back later today...makes it easier to keep the feed clean.

Thanks Pelle...those birds are very addicting (as if you didn't know)! :0)

Thanks Rose

dellrose-- enjoyed your feeder pics--do you take them through a window or are you hiding outside waiting for the birds to stop by? Every time I crack open a window to take a photo the birds fly off...too clumsy I guess...

Today we are going on a bird walk. Hope to find the owls hooting in our neighborhood and find the hawks' nests. Too many of those hawks around these days for good bird watching...don't like to see the chicadees being hyjacked from the feeders.

Does anyone have 'roosting boxes' for winter protection for the birds? Saw one in our park and wondered if they ever get used...?

My recycled Christmas tree that we put under the feeders is wildly popular. Titmice checking it out and woodpeckers are ground feeding under it. We have a number of evergreens around the yard, but this one must be in just the right spot (of course, directly under the feeder.)

Scavenged some nice logs to make suet feeders with this weekend. Also 'created' some delicious suet with peanuts, pinenuts (I dropped a dish full on the floor over the holidays so the birds came into a gourmet treat), lard and crisco. The Carolina wrens seem to really love it.

Sunny and bright here lately. Snow is melting. Happy birding today. t.

Thank you Tabasco. Most of the pics I take are through the window! It has been too cold to try and sit outside and wait for them to show up...my fingers freeze and can't shoot the pic. Did you see the thread that trois has posted using a remote? That looks like something I'd like to try. My pics would be better if I could shoot without going through a window and screen but then I probably wouldn't be getting any pics either. I will be glad when spring gets here and I can stay outside and wait!

I don't know anything about roosting boxes but I hope someone has some ideas. I did get 3 birdhouses for Christmas and plan to make more to set around the farm. I have also been putting evergreens (cedar branches and limbs) around our feeding areas and the birds are really using them. They finally have a place to hide and also ground feed.

We will be above freezing today so I hope to get out and take some pics if the sun comes out!

I set up another feeder today so I could take some photos while hiding in the garage...as you can see it was a big hit with the American Goldfinches. They are so much fun to watch and take to any new feeder with gusto! I bought this mosaic tile dish at the thrift store for fifty cents and set it on a plant stand. It's easy to reach so I can clean it and fill it very easily. The area is also well protected from the wind.

Wonderful pic Rose!!

I was delighted to look out my front garage window and find this Red Bellied Woodpecker, American Goldfinch and Brown-headed Cowbird eating together. They are eating out of a hanging planter which I have put a plate in and filled with BOSS! The planter hangs from a willow tree and has become my favorite bird watching area as it is always filled with every kind of bird I've seen so far!

Thanks Pelle...I swear we have so many of those Goldfinches...they are everywhere and I just love it! They are such pigs!

That is a cute pic of them sharing!

When ever my Red-bellied Woodpecker flys in everyone clears out!

I was surprised too! The WP came and went several times but the other two held their ground and stayed! I actually saw a Goldfinch challenge a couple of Starlings today on my patio feeding table. I was shocked and laughed and would have loved to give him a high-five! LOL!

I was so happy to see this litte Black Capped Chickadee at the barn feeder this AM.

And then ate from the new cedar gazebo feeder I put up a few days ago. This is very exciting for me to finally have this darling bird visit our feeders!

Here is a full view of the new feeder (duh...)!

This White Breasted Nuthatch was so cute eating out of the hanging basket!

Here's another!

Very nice pics dellrose! The new feeder is attractive!

Thanks Pelle and Shan!

Shan don't forget to take your camera when you go dogsitting!

Oh I will! Last time I was there in the july there was a Cardinal nest with 3 eggs at eye level. We went out every day and peered in and finally we saw babies!

Can't wait!

Hello everyone!! I met a couple of you on another thread!! I was bored for the winter so I decided to start a new hobby of feeding and watching birds. I'm having so much fun. I had two squirrel proof feeders, a tray feeder and a suet feeder hanging from trees and the squirrels terrorized the birds, got into the tray feeder and hung from the squirrel proof and suet feeders. I visited a Wildbirds Unlimited and bought the Advanced Pole System with a baffle. So far so good - they have not gotten into the feeders. They climb up into the inside of the baffle but aren't able to grasp the baffle itself cause it is to wide and being metal there is nothing to claw into. They sit at the bottom of the pole and look up at the feeders with their mouths watering. I'm hoping for the best but still wouldn't be surprised if they actually do get in the feeders!! As the owner was showing me the system and it's different options another customer came up to me and said it's a good investment cause it works!! So I came home with the Advanced Pole System!! Here is a pic of what I have for the birds.........

and this is what I have for the squirrels, as far away as possible!! Eleanor

And also a heated bird bath to wet their whistle!! So far I've had the usual for this area: male and female cardinals, chickadees, gold finches, titmice, nuthatches (not sure if it's red or white breasted), juncos and a woodpecker (downy, I think) and also a blue jay payed a quick visit (TG he didn't stay long cause he scared everyone else away). Eleanor

Eleanor you'll love the pole/baffle system!!

As long as the feeders aren't hanging too low or the whole thing is too close to a tree you'll be fine!

I've had mine for over a year and they've never beat it!

Nice pics!!

Pelle

I still think squirrels are beautiful.

Thanks Pelle -I think the pole is far enough away from the trees and buildings and the feeders high enough. They were very thorough at Wildbirds Unlimited in giving me instructions and help. I'm so glad the store is nearby cause the owners were very knowlegeable and really cared about their products and customers. Eleanor

Very good! You can't do better than knowledgeable and friendly service. :-)

I agree you will be satisfied. I got mine up a couple months back. I had to get the raccoon baffle since we have them and the squirrels. So I have to make sure the bottom of all feeders are above the baffle.

The finch have started to find the new finch feeder.

Thanks nanny. I haven't seen a coon in several years but that doesn't mean they aren't there. A while back we had some wild animals with rabies - skunks and coons so maybe our population has dwindled. We live in a woodsy area so wildlife can sometimes be plentiful. Woodchucks is one of my biggest problems - eating my flowers that is!! Eleanor

f_chisolm,

I agree with you.
I love the squirrels, and their bold and cautious antics.
I posted a squirrel picture way up in the middle of the same post.

Very clear shot, and comical.

Eleanor...Welcome to the BW Forum. You have a very nice feeding set up and I hope it helps with your squirrel problem!

We only have one squirrel but he won't even eat the corn we put up for him. I did catch this Red Bellied Woodpecker working on the corn cob though.

Birds Behaving Badly!! (American Goldfinch)

Birds Behaving Nicely!

I got mine!

Goldfinches and House Finches on the fence post...before the heifers knocked it over!!

Thanks dellrose. So far no squirrels and there are several hanging around the base of the feeder waiting for a dropped seed. I was finally able to get a shot of the cardinal that comes to the feeder. Eleanor

p.s. - my next project will be a decent camera to get good closeups and distant objects!!

Nice pics dellrose! Did you say heifers? That must mean you live on a farm!! I was brought up on a farm just outside of Syracuse, NY. Miss farm life very much. Here is a pic of the female cardinal.

Brrrrrrr Eleanor!!

Here is my squirrel feeder! I've got peanuts in it. The other one is a bungee corn cob holder.

Yes we live on a farm in the Ozarks. We retired from dairying last spring after 26 years but still have some heifers. I have recently discovered birding and just love it! I love the Cardinals too but have a hard time getting them to sit still long enuf to take pic! Thank you Eleanor!