If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
I need bird feeder suggestions (not completely OT)
I took Louie to TED yesterday for a goopy eye (he's fine), and they
had a nice bird feeder set up just outside a large window in the waiting room. I took Louie over for a look (he was too nervous to be interested) and I'm totally falling in love with the "new" birds out here in the Pacific NW, as well as the variations on some old favorites. So, now I'm jonesin' for birds at my house. I've got quite a few windows where I could set some feeders up, and window ledges wide enough for cat bottoms. So, those of you who feed the birds, any suggestions for good quality squirrel-proof (and BIG bird proof) feeders that are also easy to maintain? Thanks! Caroline S. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
I need bird feeder suggestions (not completely OT)
"Caroline S." wrote in message ... I took Louie to TED yesterday for a goopy eye (he's fine), and they had a nice bird feeder set up just outside a large window in the waiting room. I took Louie over for a look (he was too nervous to be interested) and I'm totally falling in love with the "new" birds out here in the Pacific NW, as well as the variations on some old favorites. So, now I'm jonesin' for birds at my house. I've got quite a few windows where I could set some feeders up, and window ledges wide enough for cat bottoms. So, those of you who feed the birds, any suggestions for good quality squirrel-proof (and BIG bird proof) feeders that are also easy to maintain? Thanks! Caroline S. My parents found some very good squirrel and large bird proof feeders at a feed store. (They often have large pet and wild bird departments. If anything that weighed as much as a squirrel touched one of the 'perches' it would drop down and cause the feeder to close. Of course, once they found such a feeder, after many years of searching, they promptly started feeding the squirrels too. Feeders that dangle from wired or from long thin metal rods and not squirrel proof. Collars won't keep a squirrel out either. Jo |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
I need bird feeder suggestions (not completely OT)
I tried everything to foil the squirrels last winter to no avail. This
winter I have decided to not feed sunflower seeds at all. I am just putting out suet. Sunflower seeds have gotten too expensive anyway and suet is cheap. ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44° 15' N - Elevation 1580') |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
I need bird feeder suggestions (not completely OT)
"Caroline S." wrote in message ... I took Louie to TED yesterday for a goopy eye (he's fine), and they had a nice bird feeder set up just outside a large window in the waiting room. I took Louie over for a look (he was too nervous to be interested) and I'm totally falling in love with the "new" birds out here in the Pacific NW, as well as the variations on some old favorites. So, now I'm jonesin' for birds at my house. I've got quite a few windows where I could set some feeders up, and window ledges wide enough for cat bottoms. So, those of you who feed the birds, any suggestions for good quality squirrel-proof (and BIG bird proof) feeders that are also easy to maintain? Thanks! Caroline S. I have a three feeders that have worked very well for me (for the purposes you stated). If you scroll down one of my albums to the one that shows goldfinches, you will see one of them: http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/4688545 The importance of this one is that the "squares" are small enough that a squirrel cannot get through, and neither can larger birds. The other vital point is that this one is large enough around that a squirrel cannot reach through and get to the feed ports. Squirrels do sometimes hang upside-down from the base and "scoop" seed that has been thrown out by the birds. I actually like that -- I enjoy the squirrels but just can't afford all the food they would like, and they keep the base of the feeder clean. I got this one at www.duncraft.com. It is called Metal Safe Haven. They have some similar-looking ones, but be sure to get the one that is larger in diameter because that is the one that is too wide for a squirrel's reach. This is also rather expensive, and you can probably find better buys at some farm markets. I even got one on eBay. The second feeder that works well for me is a pole-mounted "Mandarin Cafe" with a squirrel baffle mounted on the pole *under* the feeder. They can be pole-mounted or hung from a tree or other support..As someone else said, the baffles/domes mounted above the seed do not do any good, so I think pole-mounting is superior (be sure to order the pole-mount attachment). The trick to this one is that the pole has to be positioned at least 6-8 feet from any surface where the squirrel could leap. Here are some pictures: http://www3.shopping.com/xPO-Bird-In...en-Each-AR360G The third feeder is Absolute II (there are other versions, but this one has windows on both sides to make it easy to view the amount of seed left). Again, I got this from Duncraft. I have seen much cheaper versions, but this one is all metal. Some of the cheaper ones have wooden perches, which do not last as long and are harder to keep clean. If a squirrel lands on the perch, it will close and prevent the squirrel from getting to the grain. It can also be adjusted for the weight of the bird. Here are some pictures: http://www.duncraft.com/search.aspx I have had all of these for about 10 years, and all are still in good condition and have been very effective. I have others, but these have been the best. I feed large numbers of birds all year around, and the only problem I have had with squirrels was when I let some bushes get close enough to the Mandarin that the squirrels began to leap from the bushes to the feeder. I moved the feeder so it was farther away, and that solved the problem. If you do not have clear space such as what I described for the Mandarin, I would recommend the Absolute. MaryL |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
I need bird feeder suggestions (not completely OT)
On Nov 11, 11:57*am, "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER
wrote: "Caroline S." wrote in message ... I took Louie to TED yesterday for a goopy eye (he's fine), and they had a nice bird feeder set up just outside a large window in the waiting room. I took Louie over for a look (he was too nervous to be interested) and I'm totally falling in love with the "new" birds out here in the Pacific NW, as well as the variations on some old favorites. *So, now I'm jonesin' for birds at my house. I've got quite a few windows where I could set some feeders up, and window ledges wide enough for cat bottoms. So, those of you who feed the birds, any suggestions for good quality squirrel-proof (and BIG bird proof) feeders that are also easy to maintain? Thanks! Caroline S. I have a three feeders that have worked very well for me (for the purposes you stated). *If you scroll down one of my albums to the one that shows goldfinches, you will see one of them:http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/4688545 The importance of this one is that the "squares" are small enough that a squirrel cannot get through, and neither can larger birds. *The other vital point is that this one is large enough around that a squirrel cannot reach through and get to the feed ports. *Squirrels do sometimes hang upside-down from the base and "scoop" seed that has been thrown out by the birds. *I actually like that -- I enjoy the squirrels but just can't afford all the food they would like, and they keep the base of the feeder clean. *I got this one atwww.duncraft.com. *It is called Metal Safe Haven. *They have some similar-looking ones, but be sure to get the one that is larger in diameter because that is the one that is too wide for a squirrel's reach. This is also rather expensive, and you can probably find better buys at some farm markets. *I even got one on eBay. The second feeder that works well for me is a pole-mounted "Mandarin Cafe" with a squirrel baffle mounted on the pole *under* the feeder. *They can be pole-mounted or hung from a tree or other support..As someone else said, the baffles/domes mounted above the seed do not do any good, so I think pole-mounting is superior (be sure to order the pole-mount attachment). *The trick to this one is that the pole has to be positioned at least 6-8 feet from any surface where the squirrel could leap. *Here are some pictures:http://www3.shopping.com/xPO-Bird-In...-Green-Each-AR... The third feeder is Absolute II (there are other versions, but this one has windows on both sides to make it easy to view the amount of seed left). Again, I got this from Duncraft. *I have seen much cheaper versions, but this one is all metal. *Some of the cheaper ones have wooden perches, which do not last as long and are harder to keep clean. *If a squirrel lands on the perch, it will close and prevent the squirrel from getting to the grain. It can also be adjusted for the weight of the bird. *Here are some pictures:http://www.duncraft.com/search.aspx I have had all of these for about 10 years, and all are still in good condition and have been very effective. *I have others, but these have been the best. *I feed large numbers of birds all year around, and the only problem I have had with squirrels was when I let some bushes get close enough to the Mandarin that the squirrels began to leap from the bushes to the feeder. *I moved the feeder so it was farther away, and that solved the problem. *If you do not have clear space such as what I described for the Mandarin, I would recommend the Absolute. MaryL Wow, thanks Mary! Just what I was looking for. I had a WBU Squirrel Eliminator (http://www.shopwbu.com/product/ part_number=2720/567.0.25206.25760.0.0.0) in Virginia, which worked pretty well for a while. The squirrels tried to gnaw through the metal top, which made the edges really sharp. And the spring mechanism got gummed up after a while and quit working reliably. I think I'll probably go for the caged feeders for now, fewer moving parts. And wow did feeders get expensive over the past few years! Looks like this is going to be a gradual process. Still, Dad just asked me what I want for Xmas... -Caroline S. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
I need bird feeder suggestions (not completely OT)
"Caroline S." wrote in message ... I took Louie to TED yesterday for a goopy eye (he's fine), and they had a nice bird feeder set up just outside a large window in the waiting room. I took Louie over for a look (he was too nervous to be interested) and I'm totally falling in love with the "new" birds out here in the Pacific NW, as well as the variations on some old favorites. So, now I'm jonesin' for birds at my house. I've got quite a few windows where I could set some feeders up, and window ledges wide enough for cat bottoms. So, those of you who feed the birds, any suggestions for good quality squirrel-proof (and BIG bird proof) feeders that are also easy to maintain? We just put out food for the squirrels too. The little suckers love brazil nuts. We give them any left over nuts from the holidays. Works out well for all of us. Pam S |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
I need bird feeder suggestions (not completely OT)
Caroline S. wrote:
On Nov 11, 11:57 am, "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote: "Caroline S." wrote in message ... I took Louie to TED yesterday for a goopy eye (he's fine), and they had a nice bird feeder set up just outside a large window in the waiting room. I took Louie over for a look (he was too nervous to be interested) and I'm totally falling in love with the "new" birds out here in the Pacific NW, as well as the variations on some old favorites. So, now I'm jonesin' for birds at my house. I've got quite a few windows where I could set some feeders up, and window ledges wide enough for cat bottoms. So, those of you who feed the birds, any suggestions for good quality squirrel-proof (and BIG bird proof) feeders that are also easy to maintain? Thanks! Caroline S. I have a three feeders that have worked very well for me (for the purposes you stated). If you scroll down one of my albums to the one that shows goldfinches, you will see one of them:http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/4688545 The importance of this one is that the "squares" are small enough that a squirrel cannot get through, and neither can larger birds. The other vital point is that this one is large enough around that a squirrel cannot reach through and get to the feed ports. Squirrels do sometimes hang upside-down from the base and "scoop" seed that has been thrown out by the birds. I actually like that -- I enjoy the squirrels but just can't afford all the food they would like, and they keep the base of the feeder clean. I got this one atwww.duncraft.com. It is called Metal Safe Haven. They have some similar-looking ones, but be sure to get the one that is larger in diameter because that is the one that is too wide for a squirrel's reach. This is also rather expensive, and you can probably find better buys at some farm markets. I even got one on eBay. The second feeder that works well for me is a pole-mounted "Mandarin Cafe" with a squirrel baffle mounted on the pole *under* the feeder. They can be pole-mounted or hung from a tree or other support..As someone else said, the baffles/domes mounted above the seed do not do any good, so I think pole-mounting is superior (be sure to order the pole-mount attachment). The trick to this one is that the pole has to be positioned at least 6-8 feet from any surface where the squirrel could leap. Here are some pictures:http://www3.shopping.com/xPO-Bird-In...-Green-Each-AR... The third feeder is Absolute II (there are other versions, but this one has windows on both sides to make it easy to view the amount of seed left). Again, I got this from Duncraft. I have seen much cheaper versions, but this one is all metal. Some of the cheaper ones have wooden perches, which do not last as long and are harder to keep clean. If a squirrel lands on the perch, it will close and prevent the squirrel from getting to the grain. It can also be adjusted for the weight of the bird. Here are some pictures:http://www.duncraft.com/search.aspx I have had all of these for about 10 years, and all are still in good condition and have been very effective. I have others, but these have been the best. I feed large numbers of birds all year around, and the only problem I have had with squirrels was when I let some bushes get close enough to the Mandarin that the squirrels began to leap from the bushes to the feeder. I moved the feeder so it was farther away, and that solved the problem. If you do not have clear space such as what I described for the Mandarin, I would recommend the Absolute. MaryL Wow, thanks Mary! Just what I was looking for. I had a WBU Squirrel Eliminator (http://www.shopwbu.com/product/ part_number=2720/567.0.25206.25760.0.0.0) in Virginia, which worked pretty well for a while. The squirrels tried to gnaw through the metal top, which made the edges really sharp. And the spring mechanism got gummed up after a while and quit working reliably. I think I'll probably go for the caged feeders for now, fewer moving parts. And wow did feeders get expensive over the past few years! Looks like this is going to be a gradual process. Still, Dad just asked me what I want for Xmas... -Caroline S. Just one thought....We have raccoons here and the squirrel baffle doesn't even slow them down, once they get the hang of it. They just tip it to one side and reach over the top to pull themselves up. Then they drape themselves over the top of the feeder and eat themselves into a stupor (or until the feeder is empty!). I had to go to a bona-fied raccoon baffle from Wild Birds Unlimited to foil the little buggers. This thing is 4(?) feet high, so they can't reach over it. Now, though, nothing eats at my feeder except the birds. --Kim |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
I need bird feeder suggestions (not completely OT)
On Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:57:23 -0500, "tanadashoes"
wrote: "Caroline S." wrote in message ... I took Louie to TED yesterday for a goopy eye (he's fine), and they had a nice bird feeder set up just outside a large window in the waiting room. I took Louie over for a look (he was too nervous to be interested) and I'm totally falling in love with the "new" birds out here in the Pacific NW, as well as the variations on some old favorites. So, now I'm jonesin' for birds at my house. I've got quite a few windows where I could set some feeders up, and window ledges wide enough for cat bottoms. So, those of you who feed the birds, any suggestions for good quality squirrel-proof (and BIG bird proof) feeders that are also easy to maintain? We just put out food for the squirrels too. The little suckers love brazil nuts. We give them any left over nuts from the holidays. Works out well for all of us. Pam S One of the hoomin words all my girls seem to understand is "squirrelly". I think they'd almost rather see the squirrels than the birds - maybe because they don't come as often. As far as the type of feeder- I just have the tube type and hang them from metal posts. I've never seen a squirrel get any seeds from the feeder itself, but they do come and clean up what the birds drop on the ground. Years back, even before I had any cats of my own, I used to hang feeders around my patio from the bottom of the balcony of the apartment upstairs. Once the neighbor's cat tried climbing down onto the feeder to get at the birds, and the combined weight of cat and feeder was enough to bring the feeder to the ground - nobody hurt but it did break the plastic feeder -- Steve Touchstone Little Bit, Sammy, Spotty, Princess, Furby and Rocky (RB) Pix at http://tinyurl.com/22pfn8 Vids at http://tinyurl.com/4yb6nj |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
I need bird feeder suggestions (not completely OT)
I have a tube type feeder on a shepards hook. I do grease the pole to keep
the squirrels off. -- Ann in Connecticut see my cats at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ann791/sets/ read Sam's blog at http://kittens-3.blogspot.com/ * * * "tanadashoes" wrote in message ... "Caroline S." wrote in message ... I took Louie to TED yesterday for a goopy eye (he's fine), and they had a nice bird feeder set up just outside a large window in the waiting room. I took Louie over for a look (he was too nervous to be interested) and I'm totally falling in love with the "new" birds out here in the Pacific NW, as well as the variations on some old favorites. So, now I'm jonesin' for birds at my house. I've got quite a few windows where I could set some feeders up, and window ledges wide enough for cat bottoms. So, those of you who feed the birds, any suggestions for good quality squirrel-proof (and BIG bird proof) feeders that are also easy to maintain? We just put out food for the squirrels too. The little suckers love brazil nuts. We give them any left over nuts from the holidays. Works out well for all of us. Pam S |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
I need bird feeder suggestions (not completely OT)
"hopitus" wrote in message ... LONG Pacific NW....dunno what kinda birds you have there. At my place, we are talking large closely railed deck, 3 floors up (top floor) and I assume you have a house. My cheap, foolproof food bowl for the peanut mix I put out - for the squirrels - is recycled plastic bowl from margarine product, *nailed* to the railing for stability. I get this peanut mix from PetsMart, it has a few dried raisins as well as peanut, which are shelled but not salted. We used to put out nuts in shells but the squirrels made too big a mess on the deck. I don't like birds except for one kind but they sneak in and eat the nuts (they are very little birds, not the bluejays, robins, mockingbirds I remember from south FL) but they gobble down the big peanuts in between squirrel forays out there. It would be a big thrill for me if an owl would show up but they get around at night, when we're not up anyway, much less to see anything out there very well. I know nada about feeding birds of any kind, but from what goes on outside on the deck, I'd guess they'd settle for most anything they could get down these days, LOL. Exception: I made the mistake of buying *guinea pig* food recently....no one would touch it and the squirrels fussed mightily out there! I took it up to the Animal Control shelter, where they were happy to get it, and they informed me it's *grass pellets*! - no wonder the squirrels and/or birds turned up their noses at it!.Every day now I see a sight we *never* saw in south FL: that V-shape squadron of birds, heading due south, outa here.....food getting scarce already, I think. Good luck with your feeders; our critters appreciate most anything now. Could your little nut eating birds be black capped chickadees? http://animal.discovery.com/guides/w...chickadee.html They are cheeky little guys and a delight to watch in action. They hop a lot. Pam S. who misses them |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
[ot] Squirrels in my Bird Feeder | Jeanne Hedge | Cat anecdotes | 12 | March 30th 07 08:54 PM |
DIY Cat Feeder for Geeks :-) | Nik Simpson | Cat anecdotes | 1 | August 28th 06 02:15 PM |
Feeder for only one cat (aka the fat cat blues) | Sethran | Cat health & behaviour | 22 | May 22nd 04 11:42 PM |