Normally this is a good idea, but with the recent influx of bears to NoVA, people are advising not to put out bird feeders.

I feed them on my terrace. I love birds.

Make sure to clean and sanitize bird feeders periodically to keep them from spreading bird diseases.
https://www.audubon.org/news/3-ways-keep-your-feeder-disease-free-birds

Yea, I feed them. Love their songs but they are eating me out of house and home.

I think I need an income supplement.

Whooo.. all in one.. just add a grooming saloon?

Copied from the previous post. This is important to know, thank you PP!


During fledgling season, it would be best to keep cats inside all the time. Fledglings hang out in the grass or low branches, and they don’t go back to the nest at night

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: 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!

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.

I understand. Thank you for expressing this. I entirely agree that bird feeders in the area where cats roam free is
no the best for bird feeding because the cats can easily kill birds, especially birds like Cardinals who are quite trusting and are super easy pray for the cats. But what is going for spikes??? I don't know.

Thank you for keeping your cats inside. However under your strict supervision you can go with them outside for few minutes after the sunset when the birds are asleep. Just to allow them for the fresh air but NEVER leave them outside unattended indeed as it takes only a second for a cat to get a bird. They are really good at that. That is why after sunset cat walk is 100 safe is you are there all this time.

During fledgling season, it would be best to keep cats inside all the time. Fledglings hang out in the grass or low branches, and they don’t go back to the nest at night.

Thank you! Many of us probably did not realize.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: 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!

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.

I understand. Thank you for expressing this. I entirely agree that bird feeders in the area where cats roam free is
no the best for bird feeding because the cats can easily kill birds, especially birds like Cardinals who are quite trusting and are super easy pray for the cats. But what is going for spikes??? I don't know.

Thank you for keeping your cats inside. However under your strict supervision you can go with them outside for few minutes after the sunset when the birds are asleep. Just to allow them for the fresh air but NEVER leave them outside unattended indeed as it takes only a second for a cat to get a bird. They are really good at that. That is why after sunset cat walk is 100 safe is you are there all this time.

During fledgling season, it would be best to keep cats inside all the time. Fledglings hang out in the grass or low branches, and they don’t go back to the nest at night.

We have 3 bird feeders and put suet out in the winter and have an abundance of birds that come by daily. We regularly see 4 types of woodpeckers, blue jays, cardinals and many other birds. I was never into bird watching but now I truly enjoy feeding them daily. And even watching the squirrels and chipmunks trying to get the birdseed is amusing.

Anonymous wrote: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.

Sounds like Darwinism in action.

This is fun for kids! but not only...

https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/attracting-birds/feeding-birds/feeding-birds-hand/
Feeding Birds by Hand

Tips and tricks for getting birds to eat out of your hand.


The Colder the Better
For starters, you’ll need to be patient and dress warmly. That’s because the colder the temperature, the better the chances of a bird accepting your offering.
You see, since birds need more fuel to warm their bodies in cold weather, they’re bolder when searching for food. This increases your chances of coaxing one to your hand. Here in Pennsylvania, I can hand-feed birds from October through April. Depending on the climate where you live, you can, too…just
follow these basic steps:

Attach a small container or feeder to a tree and fill it with sunflower seeds—the favorite food of friendly chickadees, nuthatches and titmice.
Stock the feeder daily to keep the regular customers coming.
Each day, stand a little closer to the feeder after you’ve filled it. Eventually, the birds will tolerate you standing right next to the feeder itself. Speak softly and gently to the birds as they land on the feeder.
Now, instead of filling the feeder, remove the seed and fill a bowl or coffee mug with sunflower seeds and hold it near the feeder…then wait. Since the birds are accustomed to dining from the spot where you’re holding the container, it’s likely you’ll tempt a friend to hop aboard for a meal.
Once the birds feed from the container you’re holding, you’re ready to try feeding them from your palm. Grab a handful of sunflower seeds and hold your hand flat and steady, right above the empty feeder.

A Matter of Trust
Your first visitor will probably land close by and stare at your offering. Stay calm! It’s tough, but you can do it. Soon, your new friend may flutter above your hand a time or two to test your reaction. When you gain its trust, the bird may quickly snatch a single seed from your open palm and head for the hills. Don’t worry, it’ll come back—and when it does, it may stay longer!
Hand-feeding gives you a rare chance to study a bird “up close and personal”. You’ll notice each species’ colorful markings and plumage, physical structure and unique personality.
Many of my students have said that hand-feeding birds is one of their favorite school memories. To tell the truth, it’s one of my favorite memories, too.
So, what’s a bird in the hand worth? I’ll tell you—it’s priceless!

Oh this is pretty amazing.. I was looking for some food with more sunflowers to attract more Cardinals and I found this - price is unbeatable. This brand cost a tone everywhere else:

A buck a pound, can't beat this..unless you can, do let me know.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O2T24OA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: 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!

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.

I understand. Thank you for expressing this. I entirely agree that bird feeders in the area where cats roam free is
no the best for bird feeding because the cats can easily kill birds, especially birds like Cardinals who are quite trusting and are super easy pray for the cats. But what is going for spikes??? I don't know.

Thank you for keeping your cats inside. However under your strict supervision you can go with them outside for few minutes after the sunset when the birds are asleep. Just to allow them for the fresh air but NEVER leave them outside unattended indeed as it takes only a second for a cat to get a bird. They are really good at that. That is why after sunset cat walk is 100 safe is you are there all this time.

PPs story reminds me of my mom's house out west -- she had birds that kept building nests in the porch eave right next to the pool. As soon as the babies hatched, their first step would be to drown in the pool. She kept trying to destroy the nests and then finally had to put up something to block nesting in that space. She was so mad at that bird!

I wanted to share the bird feeder that does not require any gymnastics to hang it or post it in the ground. It makes for such an easy experience. Those feeders that are independently standing solid on the ground are fun for those who have not trees around or don't want to bother with hanging feeders. Just set it and ready to go.. (Please do not use it in the area with free roaming cats).

Those feeders are cute and add charm to the garden, deck, balcony etc..

VERDIGRIS GAZEBO STANDING BIRD FEEDER










Some come with water fountain but I think the water will get messy with seeds fast.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: 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!

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.

I understand. Thank you for expressing this. I entirely agree that bird feeders in the area where cats roam free is
no the best for bird feeding because the cats can easily kill birds, especially birds like Cardinals who are quite trusting and are super easy pray for the cats. But what is going for spikes??? I don't know.

Thank you for keeping your cats inside. However under your strict supervision you can go with them outside for few minutes after the sunset when the birds are asleep. Just to allow them for the fresh air but NEVER leave them outside unattended indeed as it takes only a second for a cat to get a bird. They are really good at that. That is why after sunset cat walk is 100 safe is you are there all this time.