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!

I LOVE Australian Shepherds (and Border Collies), but I would never get either one because of their high activity needs. I know myself, and I wouldn't be able to work with a high energy dog enough. As others have said, if you want a dog that is not high energy, an Aussie is NOT the dog for you. Just because what you saw was a smaller version, does not mean they have any less energy or will be any less destructive without the proper amount of activity and training. The Aussie (as he is lovingly nicknamed) is a very active dog that needs a great deal of exercise on a daily basis to prevent him from become bored or frustrated and developing destructive habits. Because of their high energy level, combined with high intelligence, Aussies need to be given a "job" to perform, be it shepherding the children, herding livestock or competing in dog events. One of the most frequent reasons Aussies are turned over to rescue groups is because their owners didn't realize how much energy the breed has, and weren't willing to channel that energy through training. Aussies are also quite demanding of their owners' time and attention and want to be constantly with them, following them from room to room in the house, and going along in the car or truck on errands. They can be highly territorial and protective of their masters' possessions, which can cause serious difficulties unless controlled with proper training.

Like rhizo, I see robins every day. And not when I am lookin' in the mirror ;) There was one that would follow me around the yard when I was weeding and watering the garden. Then, the garden got a lot more carefree and he'd come out just because I was there. I see those every day along with sparrows, Carolina chickadees, cardinals, blue jays, and mockingbirds. I can tell its winter when I see a titmouse if that counts. added this: here is a link to all our birds, and have seen just about all of them. Not all of the water birds. I have seen a great blue heron and the other big white one, but not kingfisher types. :) Here is a link that might be useful: Birds of Tennessee This post was edited by rob333 on Thu, Dec 5, 13 at 7:57