I have two feeders one with BOSS, the other has nyger seed. I had a flocks of chikadees and finches. They suddenly left, occasionally I will see a few of each come to the feeders, they peck a little then leave. My trees are full of birds. Should I empty the feeders, and add new seeds? I don't know exactly how I should clean the feeders, the seeds aren't old. We did have a few slight showers last week, is it possible they may be tainted? I have no idea. I would also love to attract the tiny little birds I see in the trees. I don't know what type of feeder or seed. They certainly are not hummers, I can't see them that close, they appear to be dark in color. Also I have some cardinals that cannot feed in my cage feeder, but I also have a huge grackle problem. How should I feed my cards? I live in South Texas. Thank You!

Well these barn swallows have been re-furbishing this same nest on our porch year after year. There really is no other location on the porch or nearby that would be practical or safe for the swallows to nest. This southwestern corner is under the eaves above our steep staircase, high up and inaccessible to predators. I don't know for sure they are the *same* two swallows year after year, but there is only the one nest. Meanwhile Mrs Finch is sitting on the nest and occasionally perching on the edge to turn her eggs. I imagine Mr Finch takes over nest sitting duties, although I haven't witnessed the changing of the guards. I do see him sometimes land on the ledge and sometimes in the little crabapple tree nearby. It is totally strange to see the pair of barn swallows arriving at dusk to spend each night perched next to the nest. I wonder if one or both could be last year's barn swallow babies.

Poor thing- they eventually grow in but I don't know how well they navigate without them....

House finches are native to the US southwest. They were caught and shipped to New York in 1940. It was illegal, and when an investigation began, pet stores panicked and released the birds, which led to the finches over breeding and spreading all over the US. They are pushing other birds out of native migratory feeding and breeding areas, along with all year bird residents, and can quickly become a messy nuisance for backyard birding enthusiasts. There is not much they can't and won't eat, from seeds and nuts to bugs and dried fruit, so changing the food won't work. Upside down perch feeders are suggested. I haven't tried that yet. For now, I have removed my feeders for a few days (I also have starlings and grackles and that has worked before), and am hoping they might move on to "greener pastures".