Am I scaring them away? (1 Viewer)

[EKnight]

Hello folks. Never been much of a “birder”, but we just moved to Vancouver, WA and have a lovely yard for birds. I put out a tube feeder and a suet and we have enjoyed sitting in the dining room watching the fun. Mostly dark eyed Juncos, but the occasional Pine Grossbeak and a Stellars Jay. I know this, not because I know birds, but because we got a Birds of Washington cheat sheet. 🤣

So they were going through the tube feeder in just few days. That wouldn’t be an issue, but I was watching them shovel it out of the feeder onto the ground. Probably to pick out only their favorite seeds no doubt. Sure a lot of them would pick up seeds on the ground, but it still seemed to be a waste and a mess.

Being the tinkerer that I am I glued a tray under the feeder. See picture. Since then the feeder is still almost full after 3 days. What gives? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum.

The birds can no longer reach the bottom port. Maybe the altered appearance has put them off the feeder.

 

[Scott98]

Maybe the tray smells like plastic or something....more likely it increases the visibility from above for predators (raptor birds). Either way they've given you a big thumbs-down on the tray! I would take it off. The seed one the ground is just where the juncos like it, they'll clean it up for you

 

[nartreb]

I recommend against using mixed seeds in a feeder. You get a ton of spills, which attracts rodents. Use separate feeders if you want different kinds of seeds.

 

[EKnight]

Thanks for the suggestions y’all. They are able to get to the bottom ports as I’ve seen a few standing at them. I’ll try removing the tray today and see what happens. Also, I’ll try getting all one type of seed. Suggestions on what type to get for birds of my area? Would sunflower seeds be to big for the Juncos?

 

[EKnight]

Well folks, my grand experiment was a total bust. 😖 After a week of having the catch tray under the feeder I had a good 1/2” deep pile of seed in the tray all the way around it. Much more than I ever saw on the ground. My initial plan was to recycle the seed back into the feeder. Alas, this is the PNW so, with the typical rainy weather the seed was all soggy, even though I had drilled lots of drainage holes. So, it was wasted anyway.

Today I ripped the tray off and refilled it. Let them do what they do. After all birdseed is cheap…just ask Wiley Coyote! 🤣 Thanks for all the suggestions!