Lorna, I plant flowers the hummingbirds like on purpose when I see on the tag they like them, but then don't really expect to see them. Now that I saw one, I am encouraged to plant more plants they like. Cameron, our night temps have been in the 40s and 50s for a few weeks, so maybe the one I saw was one of the stragglers, and the rest have flown on. I just bought a book on attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. It was an Ortho book, and I almost didn't buy it, because I didn't want to support a company that makes poison, but then decided that the book looked good, and I should support them for selling an animal friendly publication. I'll have to learn more about their habits and migration. Anne, I'll have to check out the "Hot Lips" salvia. I almost bought some kind of red when I bought the black and blue, and now wish I had. Well, there's always next year. I haven't seen any more hummingbirds, even though I'm on the lookout for them. Do you all put out feeders? We have one, but don't put anything in it. Maybe we should. I'll have to see what my book says about that, too. Sue

Hi, guys! Glad you aren't giving up on your garden birds. It CAN take a long time for birds to both FIND and get brave enough to USE a new feeder. It depends on so many factors. In neighborhoods where everyone has lots of feeders around, a new one is accepted pretty easily. In areas where birds aren't routinely being fed via feeders, it looks strange to them, and they are cautious. They can also be very fussy about where it is placed. If it is too close to bushes, they are afraid a predator might be lurking nearby. If it is too far AWAY from bushes, they feel too exposed. If you can, try more than one feeder, and more than one location. (Like in real estate, it's "location, location, LOCATION!"). I recommend several different styles and more than one type of seed. Different birds like different things. For cardinals, as Marion said, safflower seeds are a great choice. Squirrels don't eat them (usually) so you can use a tray type feeder and don't need to worry about putting a squirrel baffle on your post or hanging wire. Feeders with small perches are good for smaller birds like titmice, sparrows, etc, but the larger birds like bluejays, blackbirds (and sometimes even cardinals) may not use them. They need more room to sit. For a new set up, I would say at least one tray type feeder and one "house" type one with perches. If you have a squirrel problem, add a hubcap shaped baffle to your pole to keep them out of the tray, and fill the second feeder with safflower seeds. Titmice like safflower, too, and so do white-winged doves, if you are lucky enough to have some of those, like I have at this house. Don't put up finch feeders or thistle (niger) finch seed, as we don't have any here now. You only use that during migration for the goldfinches that are passing through. During those times, though, it's a great addition, as they can stay for several weeks, filling your yard with loads of yellow and black birds. And don't forget water! Even more important than food. And it will draw birds that aren't seed eaters, too, like mockingbirds, thrashers, catbirds, etc. If you are on a budget, you can fill large plant saucers with water and place them on upside down pots. But keep the water only 2 to 3 inches deep, and make sure it is fresh. (I refill daily, while hand watering plants). Hope this tips will help. If you have other questions, give a holler! Good luck! Marcia

Thanks! It definitely was not the rusty blackbird, that bird has a "cute" head like a chickadee but the one I saw was more "scary" like a crow or like the brewer's blackbird you mentioned. It doesn't 100% look like that either so who knows! I wish I could remember the beak color, if it was black or yellow. It was pretty big too, bigger than a Robin which I have a million of around here. Not as big as a crow though. Hmmm!

Leslie...How wonderful to have a Bluebird trail! I have always had only one BB box up at a time but have always had good luck with it. A few years I had only Chickadees in it, but better that than HS. Here on the Cape I have no HS. I have worked hard at keeping them out of the yard. I count for PFW at Cornell so I feed all winter. I offer thistle, safflower, BOSS, sunflower hearts & suet...the HS are not interested. We are all birders in our neighborhood and keep a watchful eye & ear for any HS. My blood runs cold when I hear that chirp, chirp, chirp. That's when I get my sling-shot...and I'm a very good shot! A few years ago I watched as two adult male HS ganged up on a Chickadee, had it down on the ground pecking it until I jumped up and ran them off. I hate those awful birds! I am thankful that we do not have them here! But...I am always on the look-out!