PigeonQueen
Crazy Pigeon Lady
Hi all,
I put out a bird feeder out in my yard (this one specifically) about a month ago. It's been getting lots of regular visits from Norther Cardinals, Blue Jays, Black-Capped Chickadees, and various sparrows. Below the feeder, I've also seen Mourning Doves, Common Grackles, Brown-Headed Cowbirds, and Starlings.
It's was going great. They'd all eat and I'd end up having to refill the 5lb feeder...maybe one a week. Then about two weeks ago they cleaned it out in half a week. No big deal, it's a busy time of year I thought... but today...mind you I filled the feeder LAST NIGHT, it's almost empty by dinner time. I love these birds to pieces but I don't know if I can afford to keep it filled with 5lbs of seed on a daily basis
I decided to reach out for advice. Here's a few specific questions I had:
For background info, I'm currently using a seed mix of Black Oil Sunflower seed, millet, cracked corn, etc.
1. Is it normal to have feeder activity jump up like that just because of the migration season?
2. Is there a good type of seed I could use that would discourage some of the greedier customers? I'm hoping to find one that doesn't cost a lot more and a bug plus would be a 'no mess' variety? I tried Safflower seed the second time I filled the feeder and it went over fine but it made the same mess I'm struggling with below the feed from the sunflower seeds and it also seems to be more expensive to buy in any sizable quantity (at least here in the US).
3. I'm curious if the amount of seed my birds are eating is 'normal'. Given the size of your feeder(s), how much seed do you go through on a weekly basis?
Thanks everyone in advance for your help!
I put out a bird feeder out in my yard (this one specifically) about a month ago. It's been getting lots of regular visits from Norther Cardinals, Blue Jays, Black-Capped Chickadees, and various sparrows. Below the feeder, I've also seen Mourning Doves, Common Grackles, Brown-Headed Cowbirds, and Starlings.
It's was going great. They'd all eat and I'd end up having to refill the 5lb feeder...maybe one a week. Then about two weeks ago they cleaned it out in half a week. No big deal, it's a busy time of year I thought... but today...mind you I filled the feeder LAST NIGHT, it's almost empty by dinner time. I love these birds to pieces but I don't know if I can afford to keep it filled with 5lbs of seed on a daily basis
I decided to reach out for advice. Here's a few specific questions I had:
For background info, I'm currently using a seed mix of Black Oil Sunflower seed, millet, cracked corn, etc.
1. Is it normal to have feeder activity jump up like that just because of the migration season?
2. Is there a good type of seed I could use that would discourage some of the greedier customers? I'm hoping to find one that doesn't cost a lot more and a bug plus would be a 'no mess' variety? I tried Safflower seed the second time I filled the feeder and it went over fine but it made the same mess I'm struggling with below the feed from the sunflower seeds and it also seems to be more expensive to buy in any sizable quantity (at least here in the US).
3. I'm curious if the amount of seed my birds are eating is 'normal'. Given the size of your feeder(s), how much seed do you go through on a weekly basis?
Thanks everyone in advance for your help!