| We have tried to discourage a nesting pair from the same bad spot for the past three springs. This year, I even removed the nest repeatedly as they built it. They managed to finish it during a weekend I was preoccupied and promptly laid 3 eggs, The spot is a narrow ledge and causes their babies to fall to their deaths and this year, they even lost a fledgling. I drive a recent hatchling to the rescue center last year and they wouldn’t take it because it was a non-native bird. I do not think they have ever successfully raised a single chick from that spot. Next year, I’ll put spikes on the ledge. |
There are things you can put in the birdbath so mosquitoes do not hatch (just google ain’t-mosquito bits). Or you can add a battery powered thing the keeps the water moving. |
Not really. Bird parents are working 12 hours a day to find nutritious bugs and grubs for their babies. They stop at your feeder for fast food for themselves on the way to the next grub delivery. Ornithologists will tell you this. Also, I love it when people put bird feeders out and connect with nature. Nothing pointless about that. Watching them brings joy and peace (most of the time, unless the Jays are kicking off the smaller birds). And, if just some of you are thinking, hey, I like my feeder birds so maybe I'll keep my cat inside so their nest full of babies has a chance, that's a great thing. |
| You should not use pesticides or herbicides and you should leave/put all your leaves into your gardens. Keeping a good cover over your garden soil encourages worms and things which feed the birds as well as helping your garden to grow well and be healthy. |
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I dump my bird bath every night. Fill it in the morning when I let the dog out.
You either can a small pump to move water around or use mosquito dunks. |
| How do I keep the fat greedy squirrels from stealing all the bird food? |
Sounds like a house sparrow. I welcome all birds but house sparrows. |
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I have a bluebird feeder, a finch feeder, and two feeders with mixed seed. I also have a bluebird nesting box. The first year we had the bluebird nesting box up house sparrows took it over. However the next two years, with our help, the bluebirds have had multiple broods. House sparrows are not native and will attack bluebirds, killing them and their eggs. We have to keep a close eye on the nesting box and remove the house sparrow nest repeatedly.
I also have a bird bath and a plant tray on the ground for water. I've tried humming bird feeders, but have only had one hummingbird ever. |
Thank you! |
| I feed my birds twice a day. I absolutely love them. I do sunflower seeds or sometimes surprise them with suet but the squirrels are crazy around here and often takeover. I feed them on my windowsill, front porch and on a table, I keep a bowl of seeds and they love coming close to the window screen and tweeting to me. I was consoderimg a birdbath so thanks for that tip. I also grow plants they love, specifically milkweed. Tons of hummingbirds and other birds love it! |
Yes. That’s what the refuge people said. The dead babies constantly are depressing. |
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There are a whole lot of bird haters out there and to you - please do not post on this thread, this is for bird lovers only.
Thank you for not posting negative statement about the birds or people who care about t hem. There are infinite amount of other threads that will fit your need entirely. Thanks! |
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I’m the poster above you. I hope that you don’t consider me a bird hater. I’d really like to stop their deaths. I’ve taken steps to help them. Since those steps are futile, I’m going for spikes to stop them from nesting where their babies die. Lack of food is not their issue. If I didn’t care, I would have allowed two different family cats outside. |
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If you have anything to share about bird feeding please do so. Many parents and pet owners are right now getting into it as it has a great emotional and educational value for the kids and also those who have indoor cats exclusively love to have some wildlife for them to observe from the windows.
Please share your: Tips and wisdom Experiences Warnings Encouragements Happy moments Surprises Amazements Bird Feeder sources and types Food and food sources Anything really that could help more people to get involved into increasing the bird population in our area, bringing life and bird's songs back into our neighborhoods. |