Experiment - switching to Safflower seed to deter sparrows
15 years ago
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- 15 years ago
- 15 years ago
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What kind of seed isn't attractive to raccoons?
Comments (4)Racoons, being omnivores, eat almost anything. You probably cannot stop them. I would put up a sturdier feeder. Mine is a metal one, that closes with the weight of a squirrel, on a length of copper pipe. Usually works and not harasses by racoons, although they are common. In N. Jersey, they are having trouble with black bears raiding the bird feeders,so racoons seem like pikers to me. My feeder will be totalled if the bears move into S. Jersey....See Morefirst post - bird food that sparrows dont eat?
Comments (51)I know nothing about birds i have had a small wooden bird house on my porch for 20 years i have had small sparrows or wrens living there and mating there for years This year i bought a hanging house like feeder which is hung about 4 feet away i never knew that people hate house sparrows i enjoy watching thrm sitting on top of the bird house once or twice i saw them at the feeder not much action I filled the feeder with classic wild bird food i hope i see more birds in the Spring any advice for me about seeds or sparrows i have never had a problem i just wanted to feed thrm thanks for your advice...See MoreFeeding cardinals and not house sparrows
Comments (13)whenever I hear people discussing ways to discourage the sparrow I have to ask myself why? As You can easily see from my photo's when there is an abundant supply of food the birds will all mingle well. From my observation it is only when the food is in short supply that they really begin to be territorial. The question then becomes, why is the seed in short supply? No doubt the answer here is simple economics. People don't care to spend a lot of money on expensive birdseed, only to have it consumed by the less desirable birds and they don't get to see the species they are really interested in. From my experience the solution here is to shop around for your wild bird seed. By example, we have a local store that caters specifically to feeding and attracting wild birds. They sell a general mix of wild bird seed for $15 for a 20lb bag. On the other hand, Walmart has 20lb bags of the same seed for $10, however at Walmart it is a seasonal item and by now you probably can't find it. How would you like to find a year around source that has a better selection at prices far below the average retail store prices? In almost every community there is a store that specializes in selling feed, grain and hay for horses or farm animals. When my sister goes to the feed mill to buy feed for her horses I tag along and buy 50# bags of premium wild bird seed (mixed seed & peanuts) for $12 plus I buy a 50# bag of black oilseed sunflower seed for another $13. I then mix the two together and I end up with a premium blend for an average of $.25/lb. If you cannot find a Feed & grain supply in your community check out TSC (Tractor Supply Co.) TSC is also a great place to find feeders of all types for prices far below what you find in the regular retail stores, but then feeders are so simple to build i don't see why anyone would pay the prices they ask in most stores. While we are on the subject of bird feed, you may be surprised at how much you throw away every month without realizing it. When you bake a ham or a roast trim off the excess fat and put that in your suet feeder, the birds love it. At my house we all love to eat acorn or butternut squash. When you hollow out the seeds put them out for the birds, here again, they love it. Making a salad? Save the carrot peelings of the birds and by all means, be sure to save your orange or grapefruit peelings. I have seen a Bluejay grab an entire half section grapefruit peel and fly it up into the pine tree. Stale popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, breakfast cereal and cookies all go over well with the birds and as silly as it may sound, even leftover porky beans, whole kernel corn or green beans will quickly disappear when the birds find them. As you can see, I have taken feeding the birds rather seriously however to tell the truth it is more an means to an end. Since I retired last June I have taken up nature photography as a hobby, and since it is a bit too cold to get out in the woods like i would like to do, this is a way i can bring nature to me while i comfortably sit in the house...LOL. Gein that the subject of this thread was how to attract cardinals I thought i might post a couple more Cardinal Picks, along with one of my favorite pics of a Bluejay....See MoreThe price of bird seed! And liqueurs!
Comments (23)I learned a long time ago not to buy those bird seed mixes! I have stopped buying black oil sunflower seed because it attracts too many scavengers, especially grackles. I only buy safflower and niger now. I ordered 50# bags of each; don't remember exact prices; no doubt will be higher this year. The niger is primarily for the finches; grackles don't like safflower seed, and we don't have squirrels here. So the safflower is for the Cardinals, which I am trying to encourage, with minimum success because across the road from me are plentiful woods which they prefer. This spring I had seen a couple Cardinals in and out of the (ornamental) pear tree and then one day I heard a peep, peep and there was a nestling on my back porch rail. I watched and sneaked out the back door from the garage and got close enough to snap a picture. Soon Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal came by and had a discussion with him(?) and he got brave enough to attempt to stand up. I snapped a second picture and soon after all three were gone. Pictures are not clear; I only use those CVS throw-away cameras. A photographer I'm not! Click to enlarge. I'm hoping they will come back this year. Sue...See More- 15 years ago
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