Feeding birds in the winter time

[jerri]

I agree, winter is most important in feeding birds. My DH has to shovel or plow a path to our feeders so I can get to them. I have four different feeders and usually a suet feeder. BOSS, thistle seed, peanuts and mixed seed. And yes, the price is getting pretty outrageous, but what can you do?

[MimiMaine]

Here is a cookbook that I just posted last night with all kinds of delicious (at least to the birds) recipes for feeding the birds.

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipebook/birds

We feed the birds all year round and love them. I'm always making up a bird pudding for them. We moved our portable bird feeder from the yard to the deck so we wouldn't have to shovel in the winter. That gets to be a hard thing to do. Now I'm battling the squirrels jumping from the deck rail onto the feeder. I move it a couple inches back and forth but they still make it. My hubby bought sheet metal (It won't hurt them, don't worry) that he nailed up on the rail about 10" high and 30" long and they cannot jump over it but they go down to a tiny bit of rail that is bare and jump and make it. He is going to get another sheet of metal and we start again and make it longer. I am determined to foil them again. They still cannot climb the pole and get there so hopefully this will do it regarding the rail.

I told my husband that I was going to paint a cute little sign that says, "NO Squirrels Allowed" and hang it on the feeder. Do you think that will do it? I have been on-line to the bird feeder sites to see what they have that we could improvise with.

Keep feeding those little guys even thought it is getting expensive. I figure that we don't drink and don't smoke soooooooooo.......we can feed the birds.

[Laury]

Just curious, do you know how to write No Squirrels Allowed in squirrel? I'm not certain they know English.

[MichPom]

Yes, I too agree, Fall and winter are must times to feed our little bird friends. There are days I can't imagin being outside when it is so cold, then you see these little birds at the feeder. Actually, I put out more, even on the ground as sometimes I even get pheasants coming to feed. Suet is great to help keep the birds warm too. Peanuts, apples, corn, sunflower seeds. I have in the past even purchased these meal worms to try and feed the bird with. But when I opened up the container and saw all of them moving around, it freaked me out. SO I decided to just stick with seeds and nuts. I also have put up wind breaks for the birds too. Here in the country the winds can really howl, so I put up sides to the feeders so they can at least enjoy the seeds out of the wind. Does anyone use water heaters for fresh water for them?

[moosehead]

[quote="The_Swedish_Chef
As you said, Marion, when it suits THEM, they feed the birds, because it gives THEM pleasure. When it's no longer pleasurable due to change in weather, the birds are off of their radar. It takes a full and sharing heart to think of other life forms as EQUAL to human, not less than human. ...
It's far cooler to wear a t-shirt to save whales, dolphins and polar bears than it is a blue jay or chickadee. [/quote]

Hey there, Swedie and Marion! You are both correct: some people feed birds for their own pleasure in the warm weather and then leave them without food and water when they need it the most. I drag myself out back every day to refill water and check on seeds because feeding birds is an obligation once you start, and a sign of respect for what they bring to your world. It is indeed like having a pet in terms of commitment. Right now I'm battling fallen leaves taking over their water supply, and even in the South, water bowls freeze overnight - during winter, I keep an extra set on my porch so I can put out non-frozen water every morning

[MimiMaine]

Just curious, do you know how to write No Squirrels Allowed in squirrel? I'm not certain they know English.

Just saw this reply..... That is a good one, Laury. I think I would have to Google it because I am not sure. They may not know English but I am sure they know Down East lingo.....they have to. I am still battling the squirrels and you would laugh at what I have done. I have had my son and youngest grandson here putting up HUGE funnels on the clothesline as baffles. When they try, they crawl into the funnel and can't go any further--at least on one end. Those little critters can't get to the clothesline feeder from one end but can from the other end. They go on their back, paw-over-paw (funniest thing to watch them). So tomorrow, I am trying some more things. They are scampering all over the place, swishing their tails. It is just like they can talk and tell me what a wonderful time they are having. I do have the portable one on the deck set so NO squirrel can get to it; just the birds. Hurray! Now it is the one on the clothesline. To be continued...............

[HotPepperRosemary]

I buy a huge bag of peanuts in the shell for the squirrels! Keeps them occupied for a while. I get them at Fleet Farm. My bird seed I get there in huge bags. Cheaper.
Also put out peanut butter logs with cornflakes mixed in it! The little devils...they just love the stuff!!!
The birds have a wire cage around the bird feeder and can come and go as they please. The squirrels can't fit inside. They have tried.....
Anyone have any of those glass round shaped tube bird feeders? Just wondering how the hold up.
Racoons are the worst offenders with bird feeders I have found. I don't think they are cute at all!!!!!!!

[HotPepperRosemary]

Just curious, do you know how to write No Squirrels Allowed in squirrel? I'm not certain they know English.

Just saw this reply..... That is a good one, Laury. I think I would have to Google it because I am not sure. They may not know English but I am sure they know Down East lingo.....they have to. I am still battling the squirrels and you would laugh at what I have done. I have had my son and youngest grandson here putting up HUGE funnels on the clothesline as baffles. When they try, they crawl into the funnel and can't go any further--at least on one end. Those little critters can't get to the clothesline feeder from one end but can from the other end. They go on their back, paw-over-paw (funniest thing to watch them). So tomorrow, I am trying some more things. They are scampering all over the place, swishing their tails. It is just like they can talk and tell me what a wonderful time they are having. I do have the portable one on the deck set so NO squirrel can get to it; just the birds. Hurray! Now it is the one on the clothesline. To be continued...............

That's very clever!!! I'll bet they use language you woudn't want to have deciphered!!!!
When my daughter was living in Florida she had plum trees and the squirrels would run along the wires and fence and drop the plums on the heads of her two mini daschunds!!!! It was hysterical to watch too!!!!

[elsie]

I just have plastic tube feeders for my finches’. I buy 50 pounds of sunflower seeds for all my other birdies. My husband has made some bird feeders and blue bird houses for our back yard. It looks like a busy airport around here with all the different birds coming and going. I love my birdies. Unfortunately, so does my big orange Bubba aka Rocky cat! He knows if he even looks at my blue birds, momma will not be happy!

[invictus]

I hope this link works for you. It is a tutorial for a suet feeder that is also very pretty.
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=282581.0\