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Author Topic: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters  (Read 146504 times)

Offline Toasted

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #580 on: July 15, 2020, 11:55:24 PM »
Twas the Cardinals and the bluejays today.








Offline tageed-lee

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #581 on: July 16, 2020, 10:17:20 AM »
Twas the Cardinals and the bluejays today.

Interesting, they haven't really been around our yard since they fledged, but yesterday we also had a lot of Blue Jays by our feeders.

At one point we had at least 8 of them at once, and 6 of them were Juveniles. It was really interesting and fun to see!

Offline tageed-lee

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #582 on: July 16, 2020, 11:45:28 AM »
Finally got some Eastern Bluebird shots!  :D

Male





Female





Offline good sam

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #583 on: July 17, 2020, 01:47:57 PM »
A goldfinch stopped by a few days ago and actually sampled our Kaytee thistle seed. Apparently he liked it because he came back the next day with his lady friend and has been back every day since at least once a day. Strangely, house finches (female only, I don't know why) and black-capped chickadees have also started eating the thistle seed which has been out for months without a single bird touching it. Maybe they needed the sun and the heat to dry it out?

Patience has proven to be a virtue in this business and so I will keep my nectar up and hope the orioles and hummingbirds find it. It also has remained untouched for months.
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Offline CountValentine

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #584 on: July 17, 2020, 01:52:36 PM »
Nice pics and posts. Keep them coming as we all need some relief.  :)
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Offline Jellybelly

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #585 on: July 17, 2020, 02:29:43 PM »
I’m looking for ideas how to get rid of birds! Not necessarily looking to kill them by putting out poison or traps, just something that repels them. Is there a food or smell that they don’t like? From the little I know it looks like it’s mainly Sparrows.
I know this doesn’t belong in a bird lovers thread, But they’re ruining my backyard, it’s just gross, every time we go outside, we have to clean off all the chairs and toys!
Update I finally just called an exterminator and he sprayed repellent and put something in the crevices that looked like caulk and had a little of a minty smell. Haven’t seen any birds since.
Before all you bird lovers go crazy, As far as I know, no birds were hurt in the process. They may have in fact relocated to your backyard so you can feed them and take their pictures. Enjoy!

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #586 on: July 20, 2020, 06:01:11 PM »
Just put out dried mealworms for the first time. Let's see who bites.
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Offline good sam

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #587 on: July 20, 2020, 06:14:17 PM »
Just put out dried mealworms for the first time. Let's see who bites.
I have been thinking about it. Mostly I'm too cheap
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Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #588 on: July 20, 2020, 06:16:11 PM »
I have been thinking about it. Mostly I'm too cheap

I got this, not too expensive for an experiment.
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Offline good sam

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #589 on: July 20, 2020, 06:19:13 PM »
I got this, not too expensive for an experiment.
Let us know what happens.

(We all know you are out for the bluebirds. Good luck)
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Offline good sam

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #590 on: July 20, 2020, 06:20:54 PM »
Has anyone tried installing a bird house for nest building? I visited an enthusiast yesterday and he had a few of them. Inside the houses were fully built nests and babies!
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Offline tageed-lee

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #591 on: July 21, 2020, 12:47:15 AM »
Just put out dried mealworms for the first time. Let's see who bites.

We started putting them out around early July and have yet to finish the same size bag. (We put a little at a time)

So far, I am yet to see anything out of the norm attracted to the yard.

Usually it seems the mealworms are eaten early morning, before we get up though, so it could be we are missing something cool. Who knows!

The bluebirds we had this week came for the suet, and only been eating suet even though there are plenty of mealworms out.
« Last Edit: July 21, 2020, 01:15:01 AM by tageed-lee »

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #592 on: July 21, 2020, 12:54:57 AM »
We put them out around early July and have yet to finish the same size bag. (We put a little at a time)

So far, I am yet to see anything out of the norm attracted to the yard.

Usually it seems the mealworms are eaten early morning before we get up though so it could be we are missing something cool. Who knows!

The bluebirds we had this week came for the suet, and only been eating suet even though there are plenty of mealworms out.

You have live or dry?
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Offline tageed-lee

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #593 on: July 21, 2020, 12:54:59 AM »
Has anyone tried installing a bird house for nest building? I visited an enthusiast yesterday and he had a few of them. Inside the houses were fully built nests and babies!

We tried. One was a small one and i didn't expect anything from it. The Carolina Chickadees checked it out many times, but never took to it.

The other one we had out was a window suction type with a one sided mirror. I expected more from it, but that one also only attracted some Carolina Chickadees to take a peek a few times.

I think ill try again next year.

We spotted the following nests in and around our yard this year: Blue Jays, Multiple Grackle, Multiple Robin, Multiple Cat Bird, Song Sparrow, Mourning Dove, Chipping Sparrow, and Starlings.

Offline tageed-lee

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #594 on: July 21, 2020, 12:55:14 AM »

Offline aygart

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #595 on: July 21, 2020, 10:35:17 AM »
I got this, not too expensive for an experiment.
This has been typically $3 and change with S&S

Kaytee Mealworms, 3.5 oz ($6.39)

Feelings don't care about your facts

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #596 on: July 21, 2020, 10:42:19 AM »
This has been typically $3 and change with S&S

Awesome, good to know.
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Offline good sam

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #597 on: July 24, 2020, 02:01:59 PM »
New species today: Carolina Wren

I was a bit unsure being that the allaboutbirds map has my area just barely within its migration range but confirmed based on its unmistakable call.

And boy is it LOUD for a small guy!
« Last Edit: July 24, 2020, 02:05:42 PM by good sam »
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Offline YitzyS

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #598 on: July 24, 2020, 02:11:00 PM »
New species today: Carolina Wren

I was a bit unsure being that the allaboutbirds map has my area just barely within its migration range but confirmed based on its unmistakable call.

And boy is it LOUD for a small guy!
Pic?

Offline good sam

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters
« Reply #599 on: July 24, 2020, 02:14:51 PM »
Pic?
Unfortunately cannot take clear pics with my broken Samsung s7 camera
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