Birders
Related: About this forumMy cardinal is training me.
When I left the curtains open they would hop on the branches on the other side of the window to get my attention, knowing I would come out to feed them. Now they peep when I walk out.
I'm feeding on a regular basis, two pairs of mourning doves, the cardinal pair, at least one pair of carolina wren, and a blue jay that sweeps in when none of them are around.
What's are you feeding in your garden?
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)not the other way around.
Daily visitors for me are also Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Mourning Doves. I have Carolina Wrens who nest in a house in the garden, but they don't come to the feeder. I also get lots of House Sparrows and European Starlings, but also regulars are Downy Woodpeckers, Tufted Titmouse, Nuthatch, Goldfinches, House Finches (but not many in recent years), Chickadees, Grackles just got here, Chipping Sparrows, White-Throated Sparrows, Juncos will be gone soon, and one gorgeous Flicker....and of course, lots of squirrels, both Gray and Fox Squirrels.
I just love my feeders.
Baitball Blogger
(46,769 posts)fadedrose
(10,044 posts)You'll make a good subject for the birds to train...and they will!
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)Birds have been fed year round at this house for 30-40 years, so they have generations of experience.
I only feed one type of seed after trying everything out there, and it is expensive---but this is my only entertainment budget. I use shelled sunflower seed. This is because I am tired of the mess of shells to clean up all the time, I hate the types of seeds that the birds don't like and just throw all over, and I have found that all birds love these. I also have different kinds of feeders, and a large platform for the birds who like to feed in the open.
Just keep experimenting.
fadedrose
(10,044 posts)Last edited Wed Mar 21, 2012, 10:42 PM - Edit history (1)
But right now, woodpeckers are training me. They like homemade suet. Trouble is, so do the starlings, but I put shepard's hooks close to the house near the kitchen table window, and the starlings are shy. The woodpeckers seem to know this is for THEIR benefit. Have about 5, maybe 6, downy's and a couple of redbreasted peckers. A few starlings still come, but not the fifty or so we had - they're chicken.
It rains blue jays in the morning (at least a dozen) when we put out the peanuts in shells - a couple of handfuls. They might stop back during the day for sunflowers, etc., but in the morning jays are awesome.
Cardinals come at night, late in the day, or early in the morning when it's slightly dark. I think I have only one pair, and they don't show up much during most winters. This is their nesting area in spring and they're starting to come again. As soon as the babies can come to the feeder, they're pretty much gone except for the pair. The cardinal fathers are good parents - they take care of feeding the new kids while mom is still on the eggs....
Nuthatches, chickadees, loads of red-wing blackbirds.
At least one pair of robins is back and sounds off in the patio tree, telling me to throw out a dozen grapes....
Soon to come - not here yet - tree sparrows, hummers, orioles, flickers, and my neighbor's bluebirds. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll see a blue bunting - only saw one once...Oh, and I forgot the rosebreasted grosbeaks - jelly and suet eaters, and seeds..
And the cedar waxwings the most acrobatic bird I've ever seen. They eat the serviceberries and mulberries and can get into the weirdest positions to reach a berry. They and the robins just barely tolerate each other...
Baitball Blogger
(46,769 posts)What I really shoot for is the hummingbird. I don't know if I'll get a nester, however, with so many of the other birds in the area.
fadedrose
(10,044 posts)Salvia, impatients, so many types. They will nest nearby if you have the right plants.
Be sure to put out a feeder. 1/4 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Cane sugar is best.
I like my feeder because it has a perches. They like to sit. Some of my neighbors said that hummingbirds don't sit - had to call them over to see.
Buy the smallest feeder you can, and keep it fresh. I prepare mine and keep it in the frige in a big jar.
A shepard's hook near your best viewing window . . . We watch ours about 8" away through the glass....
Good luck, and don't be surprised if an oriole comes too (they're not all orange and black - the females are kind of gold and brown).
The first week of May (maybe earlier with this warm weather. Put the feeder out about April 20, and keep changing the water until you see one... I'm in Michigan....
Baitball Blogger
(46,769 posts)I set it out for three weeks, but never saw one come to it. Maybe I got the formula wrong?
fadedrose
(10,044 posts)Where are you located?
Baitball Blogger
(46,769 posts)Because they compete for the nectar, or do they harm hummingbirds?
fadedrose
(10,044 posts)The hummers back up and fly off till it's safe to come back. They don't take any chances, so there must be a danger.