I have never tried to discourage the finches. For many years, when I lived in Louisiana, I got finches at my feeders early in the Spring. Where I lived, I never got hummingbirds until around July 4. Around March or April the finches gave purpose to my efforts and enabled me to haves a hummer feeder available for the occasional migrating hummingbird. If I had not hung the feeders out in time, the finches would fly to where they were supposed to be--alerting me to set up for them. I use Perky Pet feeders with long perches and the bee guards removed. I have also been rewarded with Baltimore orioles visiting and nesting. I have never had orioles respond to oriole feeders. The only problem I never solved was when late in the season honey bees invaded and clogged up the feeders in suicidal masses. I would have to take the feeders down then. I could not bear to kill honey bees. Maybe something new will come up now that I am in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Hi! Your feeder is neat, especially the way you've hung the tray on the bottom. The only thing I can think of, relative to your question about why birds aren't using that feeder, is that at this time of year it's not the feeder - there are so many insects, seeds, buds, etc. out there that haven't been available to the birds before spring, and I know that's where most of our birds are getting their nourishment. Even the gray catbirds that have been in the garden and birdbath haven't been visiting our fruit/jelly feeder. I've actually taken everything down except the nyjer feeder, and I keep the birdbaths filled and clean because all the birds come to those no matter what. On the other hand, we have a pair of goldfinches that visits our nyjer feeder every day at about 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., like clockwork. And more goldfinches than just those two take advantage of the feeder as well. So that feeder will stay up. This will work out - you could leave your feeder up and wait and see, birds may suddenly see it and use it. Good luck - Donna

Yes, sometimes this IDing the birds thing can make a newbie feel like she's gone a little "around the bend" as they say! :) Especially with all the species that are brown with stripes! LOL Thanks for writing, though, I appreciate the thought. I did realize that a photo would have made a huge difference in people being able to help me out, so I am going to keep my camera by my side and get my DH to work with me on posting photos. Thanks again for writing - I check in here every day because I haven't enjoyed anything like backyard birding in a long time. Your humor was appreciated. :)

A viewpoint to reflect upon Chisue. So true in power couple unions. A loving nanny might be the better choice. It is possible she will just take the baby to work with her. Her net worth allows her to forgo all the little day to day issues regular everyday working women have. She doesn't have to cook,clean,run errands,drive the kid to school when he gets older etc. If she breastfeeds I'm guessing it will be by pump and bottle shortly. Nannies,personal assistants...different vibe. I know people who are similar who don't have her wealth but still don't put bonding with child ahead of career. A lady in my group moved out here to take care of her grandchild 4 years ago. Mom and dad both work although they could easily survive on dad's income. The 2nd child came along last year. Granny/nanny fell and broke her foot and was in a cast. We asked if she was still able to help out. She said yes that they brought the baby's stuff and put it near her along with the bassinet. But with her being in a cast they were thinking of hiring additional help to help her. I asked if that was because the mother had to go back to work. No she still had 4 months of maternity leave left. So why did they need her AND a nanny? Was it a difficult birth? No it was easy and fast. Is the older child developmentally delayed? No. This is a quote. I kid you not. "Well. You can't expect her (the daughter) to take care of a baby AND a 3 year old." Several jaws in the room almost hit the floor.