[TN-Bird] Re: Annoying Feeder Problem
- From: "Carole Gobert" <cpgobert@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 18 May 2006 09:38:27 -0400
I have tube feeders with fairly small perches but the bluejays and common
grackles have not been deterred by this. The bluejays seem to have a bit of
a problem hanging on but the grackles have none. This time of year my
feeders get emptied faster than any other time. On the weekends when I'm
home I fill them a couple times a day. The mockingbirds have even started
using the tube feeder that holds nuts/fruit. The baffle on that one has
prevented the squirrels from getting to it (the kind that looks like a metal
tent) but it still empties faster than the one holding sunflower seed which
the squirrels can get to.
Also the bird bath (which is on the ground) gets heavy use. Last evening it
was completely dry and looked like the birds had started using it for a
potty. What a mess.
I tried a suet feeder with access only from the bottom but the starlings,
contrary to what you'll read, had no problem hanging on and eating upside
down. The one I'm using now has a slanted roof and narrow perches along the
sides. The starlings love it but I've never seen a squirrel or a grackle on
it. The suet may last 2 days tops in it.
Carole Gobert, Knoxville, Knox County, TN
>From: FINCH64@xxxxxxx
>Reply-To: FINCH64@xxxxxxx
>To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: [TN-Bird] Re: Annoying Feeder Problem
>Date: Thu, 18 May 2006 08:55:45 EDT
>
>Do the tube feeders deter the larger birds? I think I've heard that they
>do.
>Their perches are too small to accomodate larger birds and they don't have
>a
>surface which larger birds can cling to. Larger birds (Blue Jays, Common
>Grackles) can cling to the small suet feeders successfully. I have those
>hanging on
>a tree and consistently see larger birds clinging to them.
>Yes, this is a problem for me too. However, it doesn't completely deter
>smaller birds from feeding here because we don't have large numbers of
>birds at any
>one time at the feeder and therefore not large numbers of larger birds
>either. And very few European Starlings because we are a bit of a distance
>from most
>civilization in this area. I have never seen a House Sparrow in our yard
>yet <
>knock on wood> in all these years.
>
>But we might have like two or three jays or grackles at one time at the
>feeder. Now if this were the season for large flocks of Brown-headed
>Cowbirds it
>would be a different story. They WILL dominate our feeders and eat us out
>of
>house and home in no time at all. Although I think they're interesting to
>watch
>at any rate. I think ALL birds are interesting to watch - even grackles and
>blue jays.
>
>Try the tube feeders and see if they don't deter the larger birds. Baffles
>over the feeder (under it?) may deter the squirrels, so I've heard. I don't
>have
>any idea about grackle-proofing suet feeders though.
>
>Barry Jernigan
>Murfreesboro, Rutherford Co, TN
>
>
>=================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER=====================
>
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> by the members of this discussion group.
>
> Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
> wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> ------------------------------
> Assistant Moderator Andy Jones
> Cleveland, OH
> -------------------------------
> Assistant Moderator Dave Worley
> Rosedale, VA
>__________________________________________________________
>
> Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society
> web site at http://www.tnbirds.org
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>_____________________________________________________________
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>
=================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER=====================
The TN-Bird Net requires you to SIGN YOUR MESSAGE with
first and last name, CITY (TOWN) and state abbreviation.
You are also required to list the COUNTY in which the birds
you report were seen. The actual DATE OF OBSERVATION should
appear in the first paragraph.
_____________________________________________________________
To post to this mailing list, simply send email to:
tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
_____________________________________________________________
To unsubscribe, send email to:
tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
______________________________________________________________
TN-Bird Net is owned by the Tennessee Ornithological Society
Neither the society(TOS) nor its moderator(s)
endorse the views or opinions expressed
by the members of this discussion group.
Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
------------------------------
Assistant Moderator Andy Jones
Cleveland, OH
-------------------------------
Assistant Moderator Dave Worley
Rosedale, VA
__________________________________________________________
Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society
web site at http://www.tnbirds.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
ARCHIVES
TN-Bird Net Archives at //www.freelists.org/archives/tn-bird/
EXCELLENT MAP RESOURCES
Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp
Tenn.Counties Map at http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/states/tennessee3.gif
Aerial photos to complement google maps http://local.live.com
_____________________________________________________________
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