Backyard bird watching

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

There have been no fewer than 20-25 sparrows on the feeder right outside my window every morning for hours and then throughout the day. So many of them, no other birds show up any more... damn things.

Same here! The parents are teaching all the young ones how to raid feeders rather than really have to search for wild food sources. They empty my thistle tube feeder in 2 days and fight off the gold finches, chikadees, etc.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

Same here! The parents are teaching all the young ones how to raid feeders rather than really have to search for wild food sources. They empty my thistle tube feeder in 2 days and fight off the gold finches, chikadees, etc.

I used to have a pair of goldfinches that were here all through winter and still coming back in the spring. Since this madness with the finches started, I haven't seen them back since and don't get any chickadees either.

Pretty much down to a couple titmice and nuthatches.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

don't get any chickadees either.

Pretty much down to a couple titmice and nuthatches.

i was looking out the window..........

then it hit me.... J-D

are you feeding your birds straight
black oil sunflower seed?

because that could make a HUGE difference.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Raven

i was looking out the window..........

then it hit me.... J-D

are you feeding your birds straight
black oil sunflower seed?

because that could make a HUGE difference.

I've been testing different seeds, one time at a time - black oil sunflower, hulled sunflower, safflower, crushed peanuts - and some mixtures of the above with dried fruit and other goodies in it. Same result with most of them. Also, nothing I use has millet or cracked corn which I heard is like a magnet for HOSP.

The little bastards also plow through my suet, so I stopped putting that out.