Yikes! I found out the hard way,too,to check what the birds are getting upset about. Walking to the end of the driveway where there are huge bushes on each side...I noticed the birds squawking and zooming down right under the edge of the bush.Of course I looked up and was watching the birds up high when I should've looked down at the ground. But the snake let me know real quick! I heard this fast thumping sound (the snake was beating his tail on the ground warning me!) and there was a black racer with it's jaws unhinged nice and wide, swallowing a large bird. All I could see was tail feathers, part of a wing, and the bird's 2 legs sticking out of this snake's mouth!! kudzu Ya'll be careful of the snakes! I think I saw that video on America's Funniest Home Videos! Such a HUGE snake trying to get away from the rabbit, and the rabbit sure looks smart!

Thanks for the advice all...what I really want is to be a slumlord and get some cash out of these free loaders. Do the flickers really think I put my sweat and blood into building that house for them to live free? Not only that but the darn things fly away every time I approach to talk to them about it. I figure they know they are pushing it. Despite my rough exterior the word must be out that I don't have the heart to evict as I have 5 (that I know of) nest sites. Ohhh what to do? SCG

Well, I bit the bullet and bought a new feeder that only allows smaller birds through to the cup that holds the worms. Currently, I have it propped open to allow easy access, which was recommended by the salesperson, until the birds find the worms inside. I moved the old feeder closer to the window I'm able to see from, and Jung the new one close as well. Hopefully, the birds will recognize the old feeder and find the new one quickly. The tufted titmouse was the first to find the old feeder in the new location, and the robins were close behind. Martha

Those berries/apples in the tree is what's keeping them there....they will stay until there is no more food for them. Even here in Newfoundland we get robins that stay late.