Do you have seed feeders as well? I would think that would bring the birds in. But if you only have suet, I'm sure some birds will find it eventually. I have a suet feeder attached to the maple tree that's about ten feet from my house and both the birds and squirrels take advantage of it. Good luck.

here anyway i can see the birds flying from tree to tree until they land in the one with my feeders. they sit in the tree till they think it's clear and then to the feeders or the ground Everytime i put out a different feeder or a different food it takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks for them to come to it. If you see bird flying into your trees there is a good chance they will try the feeders. especially the chickadees they are the most curious and the least afraid of people.
I don't use the straight suet but make a suet mix of my own. lard or shortning and peanut butter the main ingredients. but also mix in oatmeal or cornmeal or some thing elas to thicken the mix to a thick paste add nuts or raisins or whatever else. and put it in lids or trays or plastic trays similar to the suet mix trays from the stores. i have suet cages from walmart that are enameled metal that were less than 2 dollars each. the woopeckers especially like nuts in theirs but the chickadees and jays and others like almost anything.

from murrysmom Do you have seed feeders as well?

No seed feeders. I don't think that I will get too many birds because I rarely see birds in the tree. I didn't want to put a seed feeder out because of the mess. But if I do get birds coming in, I will consider a seed feeder.

I mostly get the robins, meadow larks, kildaires, bluebirds, cowbirds, etc..The only time I see the other birds is if they are passing through and happen to land in the tree.

I did check the suet about an hour ago and still no signs of activity. No peck holes or anything on the snow.

Bernie

I do have Downy WP's and Red-bellied WP's feeding at my suet here. There is an occasional Yellow bellied Sapsucker. The Wrens,Nuthatches,and Warblers eat the suet, and then there's the Starlings. (Grrrrr) Unfortunately, they love it too. My suet feeders are hanging in trees, and all 3 of them see activity. Of course, I also have seed feeders in all of those trees as well. I am also thinking that a seed feeder would draw in the seed eaters which might also encourage some of the suet eaters to come by. There are seed mixes which are referred to and sold as "No Mess" or "No Waste" mixes. I think that this means that everything would be consumed by the birds, and you would not have seed hulls to deal with. Good luck!

I would try putting it in your maple tree near the house. I hung a suet log in my maple tree this year. The maple tree is probably about 20 feet from my house, and far away from other trees. The woodpeckers found it within a day. I don't know for sure, just speculating, but maybe they found it more easily because it was more noticeable hanging from a single tree? As soon as one bird found it, others followed, and it brings in lots of birds now that I can easily watch from my window. You are so lucky to get Meadow Larks. I've always hoped to spot one.

I'll have to look into that "No Mess, No waste" mix. Thanks bandjzmom.

My thinking of putting the suet where it is, was to see if there was any activity. If there was activity, I would have moved the suet about half way and let it sit there for a couple of days then move it to the maple tree by the house.

More I think about it, that no mess no waste stuff sounds like the ticket. If you could see my lawn you would know why I didn't want stuff growing in my fairway. You see, I'm a semi retired greens keeper for a golf course.

Thanks everybody for your input. If you have any other suggestions, feel free to let your fingers do the typing.

Bernie

Try putting up more than one suet feeder. I've found peanut butter really attracts the birds to the suet. Also do you have a bird bath? That will also attract the birds to your yard.

Hi Bernie, please don't forget the saftey factor for the birds as I explained on the other forum (HAWKS), ALSO are you using chemicals on your lawn to make it "golf course perfect"? IF you are please don't try to attract birds to your yard. We lose so many baby songbirds in the spring from fertilizer and pesticides. Those of us that provide nest boxes and monitor each year can pretty much look at the nearest perfectly manicured yard and know that is usually what caused the baby birds death if there are no other obvious causes. I have nothing against beautiful yards (I live in the woods)just the things that are used to make them look so nice. I hope you are using all Natural non toxic products. GOD bless.