Show Us Your Feeders Vol. 6

What a beautiful setting Eleanor! If I was a squirrel I would eat there!!

I can't see the thumbnail pic very well but I think this was the nuthatch! We aren't getting that much snow today. Further east they are getting more in the Mass. area. Eleanor

Thanks dellrose and I'm always gald to meet farmers. They work so hard for so little, but it is such a good life. I retired 4 years ago from teaching elementary music and I'm enjoying retired life if you can call it retirement - I take care of my 21 month old grandson who is throwing a temper tantrum right now so I'm getting off the computer.

LOL...Eleanor!!

I made 10 BBQ suet cakes this weekend. I'm wanting more wood peckers.

Looks great bronc!

Wow Rose, you're getting some great shots! So the heifers finally got the feeder...hmmm...I think I'll wait until DH moves the cows before I put one up like yours.

Hi Eleanor and welcome! I really like your Advanced Pole System, I looked at them the last time I went to Wildbirds Unlimited, they're nice!

Broncbuster, does the suet actually have BBQ sauce in it? I made my first homemade suet last week and I think the little Downy's like it much better than the "store bought", it was a peanut butter based one though.

Thanks! Do you think the bird's will like the BBQ flavor?

Sadi mae, yes it was drained off a brisket I cooked last week. This was my first time to make suet, too!

Well, it sure looks good :-)
Be sure to post if they like it, I'm always up for trying something new. I did see several recipes that said to include meat drippings, didn't specify what kind. Also saw several that included bacon fat, too bad I switched to turkey bacon...no bacon fat for the birds :-(

I'll try to get some pics if they like it. Also, I'm waiting for a pair of bluebirds to start nesting in a new cedar birdhouse. They were in and out of it all day yesterday, but no nest-building yet. I'll be taking pics of them too. Keep your fingers crossed.

Oh, I hope they do nest for you! I love Bluebirds, ours stay year round, I bought a special feeder for them but haven't put it out yet. I see them hanging around on the fence posts and diving after stuff (bugs?) in the field.

sadie you can use bacon fat for the birds. :-)

I see it in a number of recipes.

Thank you Sadie Mae! I put it back up after the heifers left that field! They didn't bother it for a long time now all of a sudden they have decided to torment me!! They are so ornery!!

Bronc...your suet looks good enuf to eat! Everytime I put out the homemade stuff the starlings go wild and it's gone overnight! I use lard and peanut butter in mine. Good luck with your Bluebirds...I have some birdhouses to put up also but haven't decided where to put them. We have Bluebirds here but they just do fly-bys and don't stop to visit. I need to get some of those worms they seem to like! Good luck on your WP and BB!!

Rose

Thanks Rose! I caught my dog redpawed about to get 2 suet cakes I put in and hanging tray feeder. I guess he wanted some BBQ!

LOL!!

LOL Bronc!

It might be a good idea to take it down at night if you start seeing any problems w/ wild critters.

Pelle ~ I was saying no bacon fat for the birds because I switched to turkey bacon and it doesn't leave any fat for the birdies :-( guess they'll have to be happy with the suet & veggie shortening mix

I was wanting to get a Bluebird feeder and get worms but man, that would break the bank!! I just have to settle for hoping I can get a pic or two when I see them around!

I do plan on adding an Oriole Feeder for sure though this spring!

I bought a small cup of meal worms and you're right, they cost a fortune!! I found some Bluebird suet recipes and I'm going to try one of them. The key seems to be to make it where it crumbles into small pieces...that's my next project :-)

I usually put out oranges and grape jelly for the Orioles but I want to get a nectar feeder this year too.

Do y'all have nighthawks in you areas?

Whats a nighthawk? Nothing listed at Cornell site.

Maybe it's this - Common Nighthawk
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Nighthawk.html

Yes! That's it Sadie mae! Read on that link under cool facts. If you've never seen a nighthawk doing it's dive, you should make it a point to see it before your life is done. It's really cool! I think what cornell describes as a booming sound is more of a really loud buzzing sound. It's quite a show! I wish I could find a nest and get some pics...maybe some day.

That sounds pretty cool, I'll have to keep and eye out this summer and see if we have any around here.

I just got a minute to skim this thread and saw the mention about meal worms-- I bought a new meal worm feeder to and was shocked at the prices for mealworms at the pet store-- so I hope to find a bulk supplier nearby ---

In the meantime, I found this article by Julie Zickefoose--an accomplished naturalist and bluebird feeder--and it explains how to handle the bulk purchase mealworms for a long life--

http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/how_to/feeding_feeders/mealworms.aspx

Now if I can find the name of the meal worm supplier that is in Hamilton, Ohio--?

And here's Julies bluebird suet crumble recipe that she says is wonderful for attracting the blue birds--

Take 1 cup peanut butter and 1 cup lard and melt together in the microwave. Measure out 2 cups quick oats, 2 cups yellow cornmeal, 1 cup flour in a big bowl and add the melted mixture. Stir together until mixture sets up. Store in a large covered jar. Put a small portion out for the birds each day.

Julie suggests putting the suet with a few meal worms on, or close to, a red peanut butter jar lid in a place where you see bluebirds flying past. Once the blue birds learn that the red lid means yummy food is nearby, you can move your meal worms with the suet closer to the house...she explains the method here on this blog way down in the 'comments' section--

http://www.juliezickefoose.com/blog/2006/01/suets-big-deal.html

I am definitely going to try this this--

Happy birding! t.



This message was edited Jan 14, 2008 5:07 PM

Thanks Tabasco!

Tabasco,

Here you go, the mealworm company you're wanting is Grubco

http://www.grubco.com/

Marilyn

From their 'about us' section on the website, "We are located in Fairfield Ohio...."

I know this is the company you're referring to in your post.

Under their 'talk to us' section

CONTACT INFORMATION
Address: Grubco, Inc
P.O BOX 15001
Hamilton, OH 45015-0001
Phone: (800) 222-3563
Fax: (888) 222-3563
Email: info@grubco.com



This message was edited Jan 14, 2008 6:53 PM

This message was edited Jan 14, 2008 6:56 PM

This message was edited Jan 14, 2008 7:11 PM

Yes, Grubco! That's the one! Thanks!

Marilyn--do you purchase from them?

Our feeders were fairly busy today-- titmice, cardinals, downies, goldfinches were busy feeding here. Also had regular visits by the hawks. I guess I'd better get used to having them around...

And St. Francis watching over the cardinals and juncos...

Nice pics tab!

Tabasco,

No, never ordered from them, I just knew what place you were referring to. Glad to help you out! You'll have to let us know how they are if you order from them.

Nice pics! Love all your feeders!

Marilyn

Tab, I do know that some people were having trouble w/ their orders in summertime from Grubco.

I'll do a little checking around to see what I can find out for you.

Okay heres a link to a company thats supposed to be much better than Grubco.

http://www.sunshinemealworms.com/

If you say your feeding Bluebirds you get a 10% discount.

Highly recommended. :-)

Excellent! And thanks for the tip about the 10%! Will get in touch with them right away.

I tagged this page so I can find that information later on!

My NEW upside down finch feeder from Birdscapes. Plastic tube, but the rest is metal. Let's see the Squirrels ruin THIS one!!!

Offering them a challenge eh, Mrs. Ed?!

Nice looking feeder though!

I see you have more than nyger in there (nyger/sunflower?) and thats why the squirrels probably want it.

I want to get that mix soon too but I'll need another baffled pole for my army of squirrels.:-(

Good luck; let us know how it works out!