Feeder notes: July 8-20
It has been an eventful week in bird feeding. We were forced to bring all of our bird seed back inside because of the raccoons. With that gone, they figured out how to get the dog food container open. Unfortunately, it also rained, turning all of it to mush.
We also cleaned our feeders, prompted in part by the decision to post about the importance of cleaning feeders. I am not very good at cleaning on a regular monthly schedule and have decided I had better begin actually scheduling this monthly chore. Otherwise I put it off.
We allowed our ground feeder to go empty for a few days to see if that would help some of the sparrows and grackles disperse for awhile. It seems to have worked for the moment and we have more house finches than ever. Unfortunately, we suddenly have starlings. They came over the winter and mobbed the bird bath, but this is the first time they have eaten at our feeders. They predominantly are interested in the suet. After it is empty, I am not going to refill the feeder they prefer and see f that dissuades them at all.
Today we had a bird that I could not identify. It was kind of a dusty brown and a little lighter underneath. I am guessing it is a juvenile, possibly a cowbird. It looked a lot like this guy, but it has been awhile since I looked at it, so I don’t trust my memory entirely. At first I thought it was a juvenile starling, but it lacked the yellow beak.
I’d love to hear your stories about your bird feeding this week! Feel free to leave a comment or a link to your blog telling us about your birds!
birding, birdwatching, backyard birding, bird feeding
July 21st, 2007 at 10:28 pm
I just found your blog and subscribed to it right away, as we are very avid backyard birdwatchers as well! It’s pretty new for us. We did it on and off last year and then started with a renewed fervor in the spring. It’s been pretty exciting!
Sherry
July 21st, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Great! Feel free to let us know what is going on at your feeders any time!
July 22nd, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Did you ever notice that the birds seem to go at the feeders more enthusiastically after the feeders are cleaned?-It seems that way to me.
July 23rd, 2007 at 9:17 am
Yes, they do! I never thought about i much. I figured it was because when I get around to cleaning them, the feeders are usually not up for a day. I’m not terribly efficient!
They really go after the Nyjer right after we buy a fresh bucket of it, too. So it wouldn’t surprise me if they really prefer a clean feeder.