4BillsintheBurgh Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 2 hours ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said: that would be one of 3 humming birds I get yearly. This particular one seems lazy and sits to drink and not hover Probably the "owner" of your feeder, the others are watching out for him when they're drinking. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 1 hour ago, 4BillsintheBurgh said: Probably the "owner" of your feeder, the others are watching out for him when they're drinking. trust me they all fight for a spot at the feeder.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 3 hours ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said: that would be one of 3 humming birds I get yearly. This particular one seems lazy and sits to drink and not hover I tried to make it NOT in sideways .... P~~~ Last year v I have to downsize the images to get them to load so the quality is poorly 88.29 kB · 0 downloads 88.29 kB · 0 downloads Every time I rotate my phone, the image rotates too. Can you help me out here! I need help, stat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 Just now, ExiledInIllinois said: Every time I rotate my phone, the image rotates too. Can you help me out here! I need help, stat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 1 minute ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said: It's all fun and games til you try and solve a plumbing issue! ? ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 Oh... LoL... Giving hummingbirds pre-mixed nectar is like giving my ass: And @BringBackFergy : You're gonna send those poor hummingbirds to both a cardiologist and Betty Ford! /smh... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 (edited) I was exiting work with some coworkers and there was a hummingbird stunned outside glass door. Coworkers said "You have birds, right". I replied "Yes". "Please take care of this bird there are wild cats in area". I carefully put hummingbird on leaf to carry to car and put in a box I had in it. Half way home it was stirring and trying to fly unsuccessfully. I took the box with bird onto my back deck in a bigger box with my dog on deck with it. Eventually it was flying with just one wing and could not control flight but a couple of hours later it appeared to be completely recovered and left. Note: my dog was very protective of injured birds. He found a injured cockatiel when my wife was walking him and refused to let her go home until she took care of injured bird. It is why I put him on deck with bird. No animal would even try to grab hummingbird. Edited July 24, 2020 by Limeaid 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 the hummers are back to typical visits every 20 - 30 minutes... Been a weird summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irv Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 I bought these suet cakes at Home Depot and the birds are treating them like crack cocaine. One cake lasts about a day.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 6 hours ago, Irv said: I bought these suet cakes at Home Depot and the birds are treating them like crack cocaine. One cake lasts about a day.. Oh yeah, they love that one. Mine last maybe 5 days but I have two other feeders right there, one just sunflower seeds and the other a round seed cake crammed into a suet feeder, so they have choices. I you google C&S suet cakes on images there a ton of other ones out there... I'm going to see if home depot or lowes has any of the different ones... mainly the insect one and the hot pepper one. What is strange to me is the packaging of the ones you have, seems like last years look... all of the packaging around here looks kind of like this depending on which cake it is: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irv Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 Put this one up today. Crack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoTier Posted August 2, 2020 Author Share Posted August 2, 2020 On 7/5/2020 at 11:21 PM, I am the egg man said: Loved backyard birding for years. Have a 4 acre lot that backs up to a creek. In a residential neighborhood. It was a joy learning what to feed to draw beautiful birds. Spent a nice chunk at Wild Birds Unlimited yearly. Then the big blue totes came to town. Which were clearly merited, as the rats, which I never had, found my feeders not long after. I will never do backyard birding again....but I still get a wonderful variety, but they're on their own. You don't have to give up backyard birding if putting out feeders is a non-starter. A birdbath or a small water feature like a fountain with a basin will attract lots of birds, including many that might not come to feeders. I have a modest garden pond -- about 5 feet long and about 2 1/2 feet wide and 2 feet deep -- with a waterfall that attracts all kinds of birds to a shallow basin that's between the small upper basin and the main waterfall that spills into the pond. Hanging planters of bright red/pink flowers like fushcias can attract hummers. Mandevilla vine, especially in red, planted in a pot or in a garden can attract them, too. Plant several hostas fairly close together in a shady corner or bee balm like "Cambridge Scarlet" in sunny spots. Create a "natural area" with some unmanicured shrubs that set fruit like virburnums, tartarian honeysuckle, blueberries, currants, etc provide fruit as well as provide shelter and nesting areas. Trees are useful in attracting birds too, especially choke and domestic cherries, crabapples, arborvitae, spruces, etc. On 7/8/2020 at 11:27 AM, ExiledInIllinois said: Oh, But... In a way... Trying to keep the flowering plants at bay may be keeping the hummingbirds away effectively! People complain about not having fireflies anymore. It's because people keep their yards TOO neat, well lit. Exactly right. I allow an area along my back fence to be pretty unkempt because it's not visible from the house, and my neighbor just has some large shrubs on the other side of the fence in that corner, and there are plenty of fireflies there. They seem to be most numerous on warm, muggy nights. Birds, too, love that "wild area" although I don't often see them but hear them. Catbirds and thrushes especially love bushy thickets. I also never deadhead my purple coneflowers because chickadees love to eat the seeds all winter into the early spring even though I have sunflower seeds, suet, and mixed bird seed in feeders for them all winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 Whilst enjoying a cup of coffee on the deck, I heard the distinct chirp of a nuthatch. My nuthatches left late in the Spring. After hearing the chirps for a minute, one of them went right to their house. Always happy when they come back. They should stick around for most of the remainder of the summer. Very fun to watch/listen to. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 1 hour ago, Gugny said: Whilst enjoying a cup of coffee on the deck, I heard the distinct chirp of a nuthatch. My nuthatches left late in the Spring. After hearing the chirps for a minute, one of them went right to their house. Always happy when they come back. They should stick around for most of the remainder of the summer. Very fun to watch/listen to. Wish we had some nuthatches here. Maybe my wife has seen one but not I. Lots of trees here but no cavities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Egg Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 Luckily, I had red tail hawks nest in my yard. With the mild winter, had lots of bunnies and squirrels.....not anymore. They're going after the woodchucks now, so far, no kills. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoTier Posted August 2, 2020 Author Share Posted August 2, 2020 4 hours ago, Limeaid said: Wish we had some nuthatches here. Maybe my wife has seen one but not I. Lots of trees here but no cavities. Since I had my big ash tree removed because it suffered from ash die back, my nuthatches have largely disappeared -- along with the ants that had lived in the ash tree. I'm guessing that the nuthatches were feasting on the ants and whatever other insects lived in the ash tree. Now, they only come in the winter when they're hungry for sunflower seeds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 4 hours ago, I am the egg man said: Luckily, I had red tail hawks nest in my yard. With the mild winter, had lots of bunnies and squirrels.....not anymore. They're going after the woodchucks now, so far, no kills. I have red shouldered hawks all around... once in awhile they land in the back part to make their presence known. A woodchuck is a ferocious piece of fat that would be hard for a hawk to take down, unless it is a pretty young one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 3 hours ago, SoTier said: Since I had my big ash tree removed because it suffered from ash die back, my nuthatches have largely disappeared -- along with the ants that had lived in the ash tree. I'm guessing that the nuthatches were feasting on the ants and whatever other insects lived in the ash tree. Now, they only come in the winter when they're hungry for sunflower seeds. 2 hours ago, T&C said: I have red shouldered hawks all around... once in awhile they land in the back part to make their presence known. A woodchuck is a ferocious piece of fat that would be hard for a hawk to take down, unless it is a pretty young one. Hawks (any kind) are probably my favorite bird. They fly with such grace. I've never seen a hawk from my yard. But I did have a woodchuck living under my shed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Gugny said: Hawks (any kind) are probably my favorite bird. They fly with such grace. I've never seen a hawk from my yard. But I did have a woodchuck living under my shed! I see a pair of swallow tail hawks fly around here once in awhile, seems a half a mile high though... never have seen them perched/landed ever. The red shouldered though... they screech around here all day. Just throw a bag of mothballs in there if you want to get rid of the woodchuck... even opossums can't stand it. Had a problem in my pump shed a couple of years ago and that did the trick. Favorite predatory bird is the owls and the falcons... hawk variety next. Favorite non predatory bird is the cardinal.. and robins. Don't get robins but every few years in the winter here but they were my favorite back in WNY. Edited August 3, 2020 by T&C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 10 minutes ago, T&C said: I see a pair of swallow tail hawks fly around here once in awhile, seems a half a mile high though... never have seen them perched/landed ever. The red shouldered though... they screech around here all day. Just throw a bag of mothballs in there if you want to get rid of the woodchuck... even opossums can't stand it. Had a problem in my pump shed a couple of years ago and that did the trick. Favorite predatory bird is the owls and the falcons... hawk variety next. Favorite non predatory bird is the cardinal.. and robins. Don't get robins but every few years in the winter here but they were my favorite back in WNY. I actually had a skunk problem for a couple years. Found this remedy online. Soak tennis balls in ammonia over night. Next day, roll the tennis balls under the shed. It's preferable to do it when you know they're out, but I never worried about it. The ammonia smell makes them think another animal has come and pissed in their territory. They pack up the fam and leave. I did it for two years straight. They left both times and (knock on wood) I haven't had skunks under my shed in at least 5 years, maybe more. Robins are the first sign of spring here. And for that, I love them! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 On 7/31/2020 at 9:35 AM, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said: the hummers are back to typical visits every 20 - 30 minutes... Been a weird summer. No %$#&! We got a bird feeder with suction cups to fit on a kitchen window hoping to keep squirrels away. We have a huge fountain and the birds come for the water, but after a week they have yet to find the feeder. We either have the dumbest birds ever, or I bought the Lima beans of bird food. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 44 minutes ago, Gugny said: I actually had a skunk problem for a couple years. Found this remedy online. Soak tennis balls in ammonia over night. Next day, roll the tennis balls under the shed. It's preferable to do it when you know they're out, but I never worried about it. The ammonia smell makes them think another animal has come and pissed in their territory. They pack up the fam and leave. I did it for two years straight. They left both times and (knock on wood) I haven't had skunks under my shed in at least 5 years, maybe more. Robins are the first sign of spring here. And for that, I love them! You gave me a good idea... Slit a tennis ball a few times and then cram a 4 packer of moth balls inside it and then roll it into the unwanted territory... that should last for a couple of months at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 44 minutes ago, Augie said: No %$#&! We got a bird feeder with suction cups to fit on a kitchen window hoping to keep squirrels away. We have a huge fountain and the birds come for the water, but after a week they have yet to find the feeder. We either have the dumbest birds ever, or I bought the Lima beans of bird food. Get a tall shepards hook... available most home improvement stores... and hang your feeders. Sunflower seeds are the lobster for most species. Lube the post with cheap vaseline or whatever the dollar store sells. The squirrels will slide down it like 1 dollar hookers. Mine have given up lol. Figure I'm saving 40 a month by just feeding the birds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 1 hour ago, T&C said: You gave me a good idea... Slit a tennis ball a few times and then cram a 4 packer of moth balls inside it and then roll it into the unwanted territory... that should last for a couple of months at least. And the beauty of it is that you don't have to get too close (unless you're Tony Fauci, LOL)! Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 9 hours ago, Augie said: No %$#&! We got a bird feeder with suction cups to fit on a kitchen window hoping to keep squirrels away. We have a huge fountain and the birds come for the water, but after a week they have yet to find the feeder. We either have the dumbest birds ever, or I bought the Lima beans of bird food. window feeder? Seems like a recipe for disaster. birds fly into windows as it is, and the feeder would make that worse I would think, as well as peck at the window and poop all over the house. I have shepherds hooks and I've yet to see a squirrel climb one. (I don't have man squirrels in the neighborhood to begin with) I have one for the seed feeder and one for the humming birds 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 1 hour ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said: window feeder? Seems like a recipe for disaster. birds fly into windows as it is, and the feeder would make that worse I would think, as well as peck at the window and poop all over the house. I have shepherds hooks and I've yet to see a squirrel climb one. (I don't have man squirrels in the neighborhood to begin with) I have one for the seed feeder and one for the humming birds The squirrels here will climb them but like I said if anyone has a problem with that just vaseline it up... it even stays on when it rains hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 11 hours ago, Augie said: No %$#&! We got a bird feeder with suction cups to fit on a kitchen window hoping to keep squirrels away. We have a huge fountain and the birds come for the water, but after a week they have yet to find the feeder. We either have the dumbest birds ever, or I bought the Lima beans of bird food. I'll bet that its the reflection of the glass that is keeping them away. As far as the seed goes, you can't go wrong with sunflower seeds. A lot of the cheap/budget bags of seed are loaded with milo... the brown seeds the size of a bb. Sure they are " edible" but nothing will eat it other than the mourning doves on the ground and that's only if that is the only thing there. Its just filler and in my opinion the only thing its good for is making more milo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 3 hours ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said: window feeder? Seems like a recipe for disaster. birds fly into windows as it is, and the feeder would make that worse I would think, as well as peck at the window and poop all over the house. I have shepherds hooks and I've yet to see a squirrel climb one. (I don't have man squirrels in the neighborhood to begin with) I have one for the seed feeder and one for the humming birds We’ve had squirrel problems, including flying squirrels that got in the attic for a costly adventure. (Catching them and sealing up was about $2,500.) We gave up on that type of thing. I’m not trying that hard, but I’m also not going to battle my wife who saw this window thing online somewhere. Chose your battles wisely. So far, not a single bird or squirrel so no harm done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 2 hours ago, T&C said: I'll bet that its the reflection of the glass that is keeping them away. As far as the seed goes, you can't go wrong with sunflower seeds. A lot of the cheap/budget bags of seed are loaded with milo... the brown seeds the size of a bb. Sure they are " edible" but nothing will eat it other than the mourning doves on the ground and that's only if that is the only thing there. Its just filler and in my opinion the only thing its good for is making more milo. I’m guessing it’s the reflection, good point. It’s about 1/3 sunflower seeds so you’d think they’d cherry pick that. I was surprised how many different kinds of bird feed there were! The next step will be to put up a sign that says BIRD FOOD with an arrow pointing to feeder in large font (everyone knows birds have poor vision). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 39 minutes ago, Augie said: I’m guessing it’s the reflection, good point. It’s about 1/3 sunflower seeds so you’d think they’d cherry pick that. I was surprised how many different kinds of bird feed there were! The next step will be to put up a sign that says BIRD FOOD with an arrow pointing to feeder in large font (everyone knows birds have poor vision). Straight outta Roadrunner! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoTom Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 40 minutes ago, Augie said: The next step will be to put up a sign that says BIRD FOOD with an arrow pointing to feeder in large font (everyone knows birds have poor vision). The smart birds will know that a coyote placed the food there. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 55 minutes ago, Augie said: We’ve had squirrel problems, including flying squirrels that got in the attic for a costly adventure. (Catching them and sealing up was about $2,500.) We gave up on that type of thing. I’m not trying that hard, but I’m also not going to battle my wife who saw this window thing online somewhere. Chose your battles wisely. So far, not a single bird or squirrel so no harm done. LOL a happy wife ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irv Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 I had given up on the Orioles and saw one from afar last week. Reloaded the jelly and oranges and bam~! This one showed up today: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 16 minutes ago, Irv said: I had given up on the Orioles and saw one from afar last week. Reloaded the jelly and oranges and bam~! This one showed up today: Nice... have never seen one down here. Wonder if they would like this one: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerJ Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 On 5/12/2020 at 4:44 PM, Gugny said: I would love to do more feeders but the squirrels make me want to pull my hair out. Our neighborhood is likewise overrun with squirrels. The other day my lawnmower uprooted a peanut seedling. We have neighbors that throw raw peanuts out on their lawns for the squirrels. Obviously, a squirrel brought one into the yard and buried it. We see a fair variety of birds in our yard regardless: cardinals, bluebirds, grackles, sparrows, house finches, robins, junkos, flickers, and mourning doves among them. Of course it varies by season. 16 hours ago, Augie said: No %$#&! We got a bird feeder with suction cups to fit on a kitchen window hoping to keep squirrels away. We have a huge fountain and the birds come for the water, but after a week they have yet to find the feeder. We either have the dumbest birds ever, or I bought the Lima beans of bird food. We tried a window feeder last winter, and the birds ignored it all winter. Apparently the only thing they're good for is making money for the seller and the manufacturer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 16 minutes ago, TigerJ said: Our neighborhood is likewise overrun with squirrels. The other day my lawnmower uprooted a peanut seedling. We have neighbors that throw raw peanuts out on their lawns for the squirrels. Obviously, a squirrel brought one into the yard and buried it. We see a fair variety of birds in our yard regardless: cardinals, bluebirds, grackles, sparrows, house finches, robins, junkos, flickers, and mourning doves among them. Of course it varies by season. We tried a window feeder last winter, and the birds ignored it all winter. Apparently the only thing they're good for is making money for the seller and the manufacturer. I've actually got a problem with juncos this year. I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but they've nested in both of my hanging baskets. So I've got two dead hanging baskets hanging in my porch. Sure the neighbors are loving that as they walk by, LOL. But they are MEAN bastards. I can't use my porch. They attack. And now they seem to have nested in the back, where I do my grilling. I haven't been attacked out back, yet - but I'm sure it's just a matter of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoTom Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 45 minutes ago, Irv said: I had given up on the Orioles and saw one from afar last week. Reloaded the jelly and oranges and bam~! This one showed up today: We have four oriole pairs bringing their youngsters to the jelly feeder. Gotta load up on carbs before flying south. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greybeard Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 19 hours ago, Augie said: No %$#&! We got a bird feeder with suction cups to fit on a kitchen window hoping to keep squirrels away. We have a huge fountain and the birds come for the water, but after a week they have yet to find the feeder. We either have the dumbest birds ever, or I bought the Lima beans of bird food. Get Sunflower hearts, de-shelled Sunflower seeds. Once the birds find that they come back. If your feeder is on a patio or porch, you don't have to clean up all the black shells. I have yard feeders and a window feeder. The window feeder only gets hearts but the the yard feeders get both types. If the yard feeders run out of hearts some of the larger birds come to the window. A blue jay will come and he is as big as the feeder. All he can do is grab the edge and hang, but he likes to come and pig out. Also, there are not many birds that come and stay if there is someone in the kitchen. I have seen them flying in and turn away if your within 5 feet of the window. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 4 hours ago, Gugny said: I've actually got a problem with juncos this year. I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but they've nested in both of my hanging baskets. So I've got two dead hanging baskets hanging in my porch. Sure the neighbors are loving that as they walk by, LOL. But they are MEAN bastards. I can't use my porch. They attack. And now they seem to have nested in the back, where I do my grilling. I haven't been attacked out back, yet - but I'm sure it's just a matter of time. If it was me I'd be moving those baskets out back somewhere's. I'm an animal lover but there comes a point where there is a line in the sand. Its not like you are killing them... just a simple relocation. Take tennis or badmitton gear when you move them... if you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerJ Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 4 hours ago, Gugny said: I've actually got a problem with juncos this year. I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but they've nested in both of my hanging baskets. So I've got two dead hanging baskets hanging in my porch. Sure the neighbors are loving that as they walk by, LOL. But they are MEAN bastards. I can't use my porch. They attack. And now they seem to have nested in the back, where I do my grilling. I haven't been attacked out back, yet - but I'm sure it's just a matter of time. LOL. I saw them more in the winter when I don't have flower baskets or attempt to grill steaks. I feel for you though, being harassed by a bunch of 3 ounce birds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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