richard@grebyn.COM (Richard Cohen) (08/04/88)
Hi there! I'm a newcomer to all this but I have a new house and
would like to have some bird neighbors. I've had trouble this spring
with a lot of squirrels gobbling all my bird food before the birds
get any. So:
1) What kind of feeder is suggested to keep the squirrels away?
2) What kind of birdhouse is suggested and what month do the
birds start using it? I'd really like to have cardinals
or bluebirds use my birdhouse and there are quite a few
of these birds in my neighborhood.
3) Are certain types of feed better than others.
I recognize that these questions have been answered in the past and
apologize for duplication. Thanx A Lot!
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Richard Cohen Home (703) 379-2740john@oravax.UUCP (John Gregoire) (08/04/88)
In article <10982@grebyn.COM>, richard@grebyn.COM (Richard Cohen) writes: > 1) What kind of feeder is suggested to keep the squirrels away? Expensive "squirrel proof" feeders are available. They have a counter- weighted door that can be adjusted to accepted various bird weights on the feeding perch and shut when the preset weight is exceeded. First, try a hanging feeder weel away from tree trunks, proch, etc or mount one on a pole with a conical guard about four feet up the pole. The greatest variety of birds will, however, prefer to come to an open platform type feeder. Don't forget to hang suet for the woodpeckers. Despite the literature, I have a family of Hairys regularly using a suet ball. > 2) What kind of birdhouse is suggested and what month do the > birds start using it? I'd really like to have cardinals > or bluebirds use my birdhouse and there are quite a few > of these birds in my neighborhood. You should be able to find a bird house book in the library. Entrance hole size is critical to the type of bird desired as is the depth and dimensions of the cavity. Cardinals prefer to build in protected bushes. Bluebirds are happy to find the proper size box...you can get plans from the North American Bluebird Society in Silver Spring, Md. > 3) Are certain types of feed better than others. Suet in balls or placed in a wire mesh cage will attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and several others. The best all-around seed, favored by all seed eaters, is black oil sunflower (it is often the least expensive as well). Fruit eaters such as Orioles, catbirds, and waxwings will come to berries, cut apple , cut orange;it is best to devise a small tray or a skewer to hold these in place. Lastly, all birds are fascinated by slowly dripping water. Many hose restriction devices are available or easy to make; try a drip rate of around one drop/ten seconds to one per minute. Let it fall into a shallow pool which will serve as a bath and drinking place. Glad to see new birders.....best of luck and never hesitate to ask as that's how we all learn. P.S. Contact the Virginia Ornithological Society in your area, There is also an excellent audubon club in Fairfax.
mrd@sun.soe.clarkson.edu (Mike DeCorte) (08/05/88)
1) What kind of feeder is suggested to keep the squirrels away? I had a cinder block with a 8' 2"x4" (might have been thicker I don't remember)stuck in it. On the top of the 2x4 I put a sheet of plywood about 4'x4'. I never had any problems with squirrels. -- Michael DeCorte // (315)268-2292 // P.O. Box 652, Potsdam, NY 13676 Internet mrd@sun.soe.clarkson.edu // Bitnet mrd@clutx.bitnet ------------------------------------------------------------ Clarkson Archiver Server archiver-server@sun.soe.clarkson.edu archive-server%sun.soe.clarkson.edu@omnigate.bitnet ------------------------------------------------------------
jim@hpfcdc.HP.COM (Jim Tear) (08/05/88)
My favorite feeder is a 2' by 2' wooden pltform on top of a long galvanized pipe (about 3/4") attached via a floor bracket. If squirrels are around, a guard is essential; I've always used a commercial one. I usually put out a cup of seed each morning and evening. That's enough to attract plenty of birds. By rationing the seed, I limit the birds' dependence on me; they must get most of their food natually or from someone more generous. Some people try to keep their feeder full, but that can cost a fortune. Improvements to a simple platform include a cover to protect the seed from snow and rain, a windbreak on the northwest side, and a seed hopper. Place the feeder near a window but far enough (much farther than you think) away from buildings, trees, and shrubs to keep the squirrels off. Currently, I'm using a bird bath as a feeder. It's in the front yard on the south side of the house. We have no squirrels here. I put out only one handful of sunflower seeds each morning and evening. I put a bird bath next to it. We get house finches, pine siskins, English sparrows, and a variety of migrants. Robins love the bird bath. Every year we see new species as the landscaping in our 10-year old subdivision matures (a couple of years ago, we did'nt even have robins!). Jim Tear -- Hewlett-Packard -- Ft. Collins, CO
chris@leadsv.UUCP (Chris Salander) (08/06/88)
Beat the squirrels by using something other than seed that they won't eat - - put out a bird bath or elevated water source (this should attract all birds, especially if there is a gurgling noise) - plant flowering plants (you get birds that eat nectar of the insects that fly around the flowers) - keep wetting and turning up the dirt in your area, which should attract insect eaters or: use very small seed, which I don't think the squirrels will eat